Five-eighth Daniel Halangahu will captain a NSW squad containing the Waratahs’ new overseas recruits in the Super 14 side’s first rugby trial of the season, against Queensland in Lismore on Saturday.
None of NSW’s Wallabies will play in the four-quarter game, but coach Chris Hickey will use up to 28 men.
Hickey confirmed All Blacks winger/fullback Sosene Anesi, South African-born lock Hendrik Roodt and New Zealand born flanker and lock Cam Jowitt will each make their first appearance in a Waratahs shirt.
“We’re very keen to have a look at those players, we’ve been really impressed with the way they’ve trained,” Hickey told reporters on Monday.
“But it’s not until you see players on the park that you get that really strong indication of what they are going to offer the program.”
Halangahu will get first crack at one of the playmaking roles.
The 25-year-old Sydney University pivot will vie with Kurtley Beale and prize recruit Berrick Barnes for the key inside back position once the Super 14 tournament starts next month.
“He (Halangahu) showed last year that not only his form with the Waratahs, but also in the Sydney club competition, that he’s really matured as a player,” Hickey said.
“He’s got a good rugby mind, he stays composed, so we feel that he’s the right person for this game.”
Hickey will give his fringe squad members and young academy players the opportunities against the Reds.
He said Barnes, who only recently resumed full training following an ankle injury sustained on the Wallabies’ spring tour last year, could now possibly play in the Waratahs’ second trial against Fiji Warriors in Orange on January 30.
It was originally thought Barnes might only play their final trial against the Brumbies in Canberra on February 4.
Among the emerging players keen to impress on Saturday will be former Reds halfback Brendan McKibbin.
The Scottish born flanker turned No.9 is regarded by Hickey as a serious challenger to the Waratahs’ other two halfbacks, Wallaby Luke Burgess and Josh Holmes, who has returned from the Brumbies.
“We’ve got three very good halfbacks to choose from. Brendan has performed well since he’s come down here in November,” Hickey said.
“All three will contest strongly, not only during the trial period but throughout the (Super 14) season.”
McKibbin expected a ribbing from his former Reds teammates on Saturday.
“It’s going to be interesting, but I’m not thinking about who they are, it’s just another group of guys in a different jersey,” McKibbin said.
He acknowledged he faced a challenge to take playing time off the more established Burgess and Holmes.
“They are two quality halfbacks and it’s good to be around them, it’s healthy competition and the more we can feed off each other at training, I think it’s going to bring the best out of all three of us,” McKibbin said.
Gary Russell-Sharam
Guest
Barnes has to be the fly half. Deans wants him there and Hickey would be silly to ignore that. Helangahu is a good player and maybe destined to always be the bridesmaid (this happens to some players). I agree that Mitchell and Turner are overrated and have had a dream run with selection in the Wallabies. The Waratahs need to get serious with the selection of their backline if they want to win the final. My backline would be 9. Burgess 10. Barnes 11. Anesi 12. Carter 13. Horne 14. Mitchell 15. Beale Bench Halengahu Holmes Turner Why the selection of Carter? I have a preference for a big crash ball inside centre but if he is too predictable replace him with Halengahu and then you have two playmakers. I'm a Reds supporter and have learned to detest NSW but if they are going to make a move at winning the finals now is the time to do it with the cattle they now signed, Barnes being top of the list and to intimate that he is injury prone is just silly. He is one tough customer.
Wavell Wakefield
Roar Rookie
Don't count out Sidey just yet.
Nick
Guest
tom carter is the most one dimensonal player ever, would deff have beale or barnes at 12.
stillmissit
Roar Guru
Bay35 and Red Bear - I am a pathetic supporter of youth so this would be my preferred backline. 9. Burgess/Holmes - dont care until Burgess picks up his passing. 10. Barnes 11.Turner 12. Beale 13. Horne 14. Mitchell 15. Helangahu - good goal kicker and can tackle. The risk here is injury to Barnes and Horne. Then the next point is, can these young men hold it together? Well I think it is time to find out in the real world as the starters with more than a couple of games to prove themselves, they have been around long enough. If we take the conservative approach ie Carter and Halangahu we will have a decent season but we wont win it. I am stupidly focussed on winning the bloody thing and putting this monkey behind us. Only top talent can do that and no risk no reward - ask Link?
stillmissit
Roar Guru
John - dont know where you get your stats from but I have seen Turner pull off some big tackles including a great one against SA that I think stopped a certain try. Mitchell is not the worlds greatest tackler I agree with you, but not as bad as say Peter 'turnstyle' Hewitt a couple of years ago and many Waratah supporters loved him. Still your perception is your reality!
John allyne
Guest
NSW must have a work horse in the backs to complement the talented but non tackling non chasing back three Carter must start at 12 if that does not work then change it, it could be quite possible for Turner and Mitchell to go the whole season with out making a tackle these two are the most over rated wingers ever to wear a Wallaby Jersey
Comrade Bear
Guest
I'm backing a wayward Burgess pass in the first minute to expose Barnes' yellow, heartless ribs... Actually - I can not really blame him for leaving - our bad. Hopefully some good will come from the cleanout - eventually.
Bay35Pablo
Roar Guru
9 Burgess 10 Barnes 11 Turner 12 Halangahu 13 Carter/Horne 14 Mitchell 15 Beale Bench Holmes Carter/Horne Anesi Ratu/Nadolo
formeropenside
Guest
"Please oh please let Barnes be the starting 10 for the season! " ...and be injured in the opening 5 minutes of the first game. Traitor.
LukeR
Guest
Please oh please let Barnes be the starting 10 for the season! Deans was going to pick him there for the spring tour - he's definitely the man Aus rugby needs to be playing 10 in NZ 2011. Now, as for whether they go with Carter at 12, or the dual pivot system (Halangahu/Beale), I think it's definitely worth having a go with the later! DO IT FOR THE FANS CHRIS!
Comrade Bear
Guest
So what is looking like the Tahs backline? It is looking very tidy whatever it is: 9. Luke Burgess 10. Berrick Barnes 12. Tom Carter 13. Rob Horne 11/14 Lachie Turner / Sosene Anesi 15. Drew Mitchell Bench Nemani Nadolo Daniel Halangahu Kurtley Beale
Who Needs Melon
Guest
I agree too. And I think we need the competition for the 10 spot for the sake of Australian rugby. Force will have Pretorious. Reds will have... someone. We need another aussie Super side to offer an experienced and decent alternative to Giteau. I hope they sort out who is playing what position early on this season and the players get a chance to develop into roles they may not initially be comfortable with.
Bay35Pablo
Roar Guru
Beale won't play 5/8 except as back up. If they play Hangers & Barnes (aka Working Class man) as interchangeable 1st and 2nd 5/8, Kiwi style, it might work. But I tend to agree, even if we already had decent stocks at 5/8, and barnes landed in our lap, how can you keep someone Deans wanted to play at 5/8 over Gits out of the 10 jersey. Hickey might want to show loyalty, but at the same time a coach needs to know when to change up.
stillmissit
Roar Guru
If NSW doesn't use Barnes as its 5/8 it will be a bloody disaster and another big blunder. NSW has been desperate for a class 5/8 for a long time and Barnes is the goods, playing him at I/C would be a waste regardless whether it suits the Wallabies or not, the same as the Wallabies have wasted the opportunity with Giteau holding the 5/8 position instead of Barnes. The Waratahs should have a very strong squad this year with another chance to win it, but they won't be winning anything by picking guys in the wrong position. PS understand all Wallabies are not playing in this trial. Just worried that we do the same stupid stuff we seem to do all the time.