Star recruits Berrick Barnes and Sosene Anesi have firmed as favourites to fill the contentious five-eighth and fullback spots for the Waratahs’ opening Super 14 match against Queensland after being selected to start the side’s final trial against the Brumbies in Canberra on Thursday.
Playmaker Barnes will start at five-eighth for the second straight trial, though NSW coach Chris Hickey said Daniel Halangahu would spend part of the game there on Thursday after starting at inside centre.
All Black Anesi will have started all three trials at fullback.
With another high profile recruit, Wallabies flyer Drew Mitchell rested from Thursday’s game because of a hamstring twinge, Hickey conceded Anesi had the inside running to occupy the No.15 shirt for the first round clash in Brisbane.
“He will have played in three trials, that gives him a bit of a head start for that position,” Hickey said of Anesi.
Mitchell will be the only one of the recruits not to have played a trial.
“He’s just got a small hamstring twinge, if this was a competition game he would play, we just want to make sure we give him a chance to recover before he plays a competition game,” Hickey said.
Tom Carter will get another opportunity to cement a starting spot at outside centre, with exciting youngster Rob Horne still recovering from a hamstring problem.
Wallabies utility Kurtley Beale was not chosen, allowing him to concentrate on his assault case this week.
With Mitchell rested, Lote Tuqiri’s cousin Nemani Nadolo will start on the wing after impressing against the Fijian Warriors in Orange last weekend.
Three Wallabies, winger Lachie Turner, prop Benn Robinson and flanker Dean Mumm will each make his first trial appearance of the year.
New Zealander Cam Jowitt and youngster Kane Douglas will be the starting locks, with giant South African Hendrik Roodt on the bench.
Roodt is still developing match fitness after sitting out last year but Hickey said the Emerging Springbok representative could still contend for a starting spot against the Reds.
Ben Mowen, the Waratahs’ preferred blindside flanker last season, will have his first hitout off the bench following knee surgery.
The Brumbies made two changes to their team announced on Monday, with Francis Fainifo and Alfi Mafi replacing the injured Pat McCabe and Andrew Smith on the wings.
Wallabies skipper Rocky Elsom said he would wait a bit closer to the game to decide whether he was fit enough to make his Brumbies debut because of a recurring hamstring niggle.
NSW WARATAHS: Sosene Anesi, Lachie Turner, Tom Carter, Daniel Halangahu, Nemani Nadolo, Berrick Barnes, Luke Burgess, Wycliff Palu, Phil Waugh (capt), Dean Mumm, Cam Jowitt, Kane Douglas, Al Baxter, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Benn Robinson. Res: Damien Fitzpatrick, Sekope Kepu, Hendrik Roodt, Chris Thomson, Brendan KcKibbin, Ben Seymour, Locky McCaffrey, Dan Palmer, Ben Mowen, Josh Holmes, Alex Rokobaro, Dave Dennis, Rory Sidey, Peter Betham, Adam D’Arcy.
bennalong
Guest
I agree with TK too. Barnes should have displaced Gits in the Wallabies at 10 and there's no reason to treat Hangers like he's a real contender for a yellow jersey. On the other hand putting Barnes outside Burgess may be the genesis of a great pairing. Certainly the Tahs should back their number one half and I can't believe Barnes isn't gagging to develop at 10. If Hickey thinks its worth effing around with the selection he's as big a derkhead(NZ) as he appeared last season.
jeznez
Guest
Hope Barnes gets the 10 jersey as well. Any thought of turning Beale into a halfback? Agree McKibbin should be given a shot if Burgess's pass goes wayward but if they struggle to fit Barnes, Beale and Halangahu into the 10 and 12 spots then Beale has a lot of the attributes to make a great 9. Also getting very worried about Al Baxter starting the last two trials, was hoping to see Palmer nail down the 3 spot this year.
inthestands
Roar Rookie
Terry - you wonder why he doesn't come out and say who is first choice is? The answer is simple - they're playing trials. The last thing you would want to do for a player getting ready to try his guts out for you to come out publicly and state you already have your starting XV. Fair enough with a position like Benn Robinson or Tatafu Polota-Nau, but where there are options and guys competing for the role, he has to encourage everyone within the squad. It's pretty clear to everyone from team selection in the last two weeks that we know which way Hickey's going to go, but from an internal perspective he has to man-manage the squad too and making comments like one you suggested would be pretty hard to take for a number of players.
Mike G
Guest
Agree 100% TK...That's my backline too, but I have to say part of me is now tinkering with the idea of playing Nadolo in place of Mitchell...Guess we don't know how he'll play in the tough games until he's out there, but i loved the way he dominated the Fiji trial (& yes, I know, inferior opposition), but geez he was good in the snippets i saw
Terry Kidd
Guest
I don't get Hickey's game. The Tahs have lacked a quality 10 for years and you don't sign a quality 10 then talk about playing him at 12 just so you can accommodate a journeyman 10 who has failed to step up far enough in the previous couple of seasons. Why doesn't he just come out and say Barnes will play 10 and Beale and Hangers will compete for the 12 slot? Hickey is either trying to play mind games with other coaches' or he is seriously off the mark if he is truely thinking of playing Barnes anywhere but 10. I quite like the Barnes - Beale 10/12 combination and think that the backline could truely sizzle with Carter at 12 and a back three of Sosene, Turner and Mitchell. The pack is strong and mobile, good scrum, should be good at the breakdown and ok at the lineouts. The only drawback I see is the Burgess pass from half. Unless it is accurate and quick then the backline will struggle. If Burgess can't feed it satisfactorily then McKibbin should be given his chance.