Wallabies stars will be missing when the NSW Waratahs name their first line-up under new coach Chris Hickey on Tuesday.
Hickey will rest the likes of Lote Tuqiri, Phil Waugh, and Luke Burgess and hand an opportunity to his younger brigade for Saturday night’s first trial match, against Queensland in Toowoomba.
The match will give fringe forwards a chance to press their claims as replacements for the injured Matt Dunning and Sekope Kepu and departed stars Dan Vickerman, Rocky Elsom and David Lyons.
In the backs, the competition for places is more fierce, particularly in the centres where Timana Tahu, Tom Carter, Rob Horne, Matt Carraro and Daniel Halangahu could be vying for two spots.
Among those keen to make an early impression will be Peter Playford after the Waratahs announced on Monday they had signed the former Brumbies winger.
Playford, 28, returns to where his professional rugby career began nine years ago as cover for the injured Ben Batger (shoulder) and Ratu Nasiganiyavi (foot).
“With the injuries we’ve suffered out wide we were on the lookout to see if we could find someone to provide some more depth, and we believe we’ve found that with Peter,” Hickey said in a statement on Monday.
“Peter’s had two seasons of Super rugby with the Brumbies and last year in particular he showed his ability to play well at this level.”
Playford is best known for his record 29 tries for club side Sydney University in 2005.
“This is a great opportunity I’ve been given and I’m really looking to repay Chris by making an impact right from the word go,” Playford said.
“I knew I had more to offer at this level in Australia but there just didn’t seem to be a place for me.
“I’ve had a pretty good indication I’ll be a part of the trial against Queensland on Saturday and I can’t wait to get up there and start putting my name forward over the next few weeks to be a part of that first Super 14 team in February.”
Prop Ofa Faingaanuku has been added to the Junior Waratahs program as further cover following the serious injuries to Dunning (Achilles) and Kepu (pectoral).
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