Coach Rob Penney has named two uncapped players in the Waratahs starting XV for Friday’s Super Rugby AU opener against the Reds in Brisbane.
Penney’s team announcement was headlined by the selection of No 8 Will Harris and inside centre Joey Walton, who are both set to make their senior debut for the Waratahs.
They’ll join the likes of fellow Junior Wallabies Angus Bell (loosehead prop), Will Harrison (flyhalf) and Mark Nawanqanitawase (left wing) in the run-on side.
Ned Hanigan returns from injury to partner Rob Simmons in the second row. Michael Hooper has been selected at openside flank with Lachlan Swinton on the blindside.
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Jack Maddocks plays at fullback, Alex Newsome will partner Joey Walton in midfield and Mitch Short will start in place of the injured Jake Gordon at scrumhalf.
Tom Horton, Tiaan Tauakipulu and Ben Donaldson are also in line to make their professional debuts from the bench, they’ll be alongside the experienced trio of Tetera Faulkner, Tom Staniforth and Jack Dempsey, who will provide Penney with plenty of backup options throughout the game.
Waratahs – 15 Jack Maddocks, 14 James Ramm, 13 Alex Newsome, 12 Joey Walton, 11 Mark Nawaqanitawase, 10 Will Harrison, 9 Mitch Short, 8 Will Harris, 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Lachlan Swinton, 5 Rob Simmons (c), 4 Ned Hanigan, 3 Harry Johnson-Holmes, 2 Robbie Abel, 1 Angus Bell.
Subs: 16 Tom Horton, 17 Tetera Faulkner, 18 Tiaan Tauakipulu, 19 Tom Staniforth, 20 Jack Dempsey, 21 Michael Mcdonald, 22 Ben Donaldson, 23 Tepai Moeroa.
Photo: https://nsw.rugby/Waratahs
