Time spent as a shadow outside centre for the Wallabies has Lachie Turner primed for his first Super Rugby game for NSW in the No.13 jersey against the Cheetahs on Saturday night.
Turner has been shifted from the wing to replace the injured Rob Horne for the clash with the battling South African outfit at the Sydney Football Stadium.
The flying Turner played outside centre for the Waratahs in their 41-13 trial win over Fiji Warriors last month before he returned to his regular position for the Super Rugby season.
And while he’s also played outside centre for his club side Eastwood, it’s the lessons learned recently with the Wallabies that Turner will reference against the Cheetahs.
“I was called upon last year to potentially fill the void at 13 on the spring tour if anything happened to Adam Ashley-Cooper … I watched him pretty closely and I’ve learned a lot from him,” Turner said.
“Defensively I know my role and it helped I got a lot of training there over the spring tour.
“I’m looking forward to the opportunity of ripping into something new to see what I can offer the guys at 13.”
Turner admits Saturday night will be his first real test as a centre and he is aware of the standards now expected when you run out in the Waratahs’ No.13 shirt.
“Rob (Horne) is a great player and will be sorely missed, he gives a lot to our side,” Turner said.
“Hopefully I can give the guys as much as Horney’s been giving us over the last couple of weeks because his performances have been great.”
One of Turner’s main goals for the Cheetahs match is to get the ball to the edges as much as possible.
“We’ve got one of Australia’s best wingers out there in Drew Mitchell, so we’ll be trying to shift him a fair bit of ball,” Turner said.
“We’ve also got Kurtley and young `Afa’ (Atieli) Pakalani, he’s been great … we’ve got some great back three players and to starve them of the ball would be pretty silly.”
In a revamped Waratahs side that is coming off a bye, elusive Aucklander Pakalani takes over Turner’s wing spot in a team to be led by lock Dean Mumm as skipper Phil Waugh rests his ruptured bicep.
Former Brumbies player John Ulugia was promoted over Damien Fitzpatrick to start at hooker against the big Cheetahs pack in place of the injured Tatafu Polota-Nau.
The Waratahs scrum struggled when Fitzpatrick came on in the last-start 33-18 loss to the Crusaders.
Pat McCutcheon takes Waugh’s flanker role, Wallabies star Berrick Barnes returns at five-eighth after missing the Crusaders loss following a head knock and Benn Robinson returns from the bench to prop up the scrum.
Wallabies No.8 Wycliff Palu also makes his long-awaited return.
Mary-jane
Guest
He is a little heavier and faster, some player play big for their weight some smaller, I think he plays small. He is not particularly strong in contact Turner is not one to break tackles, he is a more hit a gap kind of player. I think the balance of the back line for the tahs is off. Neither cater of Turner have a passing game or the ability to beat the man.
Boonzie
Guest
Not sure why you think Turner has no power or bulk....? at 94kg he's heavier than Horne and faster... physics say he'll hit harder. He played well for Eastwood in that position last year. You're probably right on the pass though, it won't be his natural instinct.
Mike G
Guest
GRS, I too am a little unsure as to why Mumm has been given the captaincy this week...personally, I'd take Barnes but then what do I know! And on the pack, I would have the following once Vickers is fit: 1 Robbo 2 TPN 3 Baxter 4 Vickers 5 Douglas 6 Mowen 7 Waugh 8 Palu I think that's a pack to win the comp with
Mike G
Guest
I like that front row Denby, but would have Alexander as the cover for both sides & be effective around the park in the last 20mins
mw
Roar Rookie
Has Rob Horne ever played 12 or is it just wishful thinking?
B-Rock
Roar Guru
Looking forward to seeing Turner closer to the action - definitely a better option than Cross. Lets all tone down our expectations of Afa on the wing - he showed some pace vs Saders but was hardly involved in the game - if he gets through the best part of this match then we can start getting excited. Will be interested to see his defensive game at just 84kgs Polata Nau is a big loss, hopefully Cliffy is at full strength as this is a very soft pack without Waugh and the fro. Cheetahs will be targeting us up front so will see how we fare.
Mary-jane
Guest
I struggle to see turner doing very well at 13, how is going to bet his man or get over the advantage line. No bulk or power and not really the position now that you go around the outside with pace. Then again I have never really seen him tackle or pass. The only plus is the tahs are playing against the Cheetahs (last on the table). Turner may do ok this week against very ordinary competition, what about when they play a team that is in contention for the title, Crusaders, Sharks ect..
Denby
Guest
It is weird, if they want Mumm as captain he will have to move to blind side flanker for Vickerman. It would be madness to move Douglas to the bench as he is a much better second rower than Mumm. But saying this, I would much rather Mowen at blind side.
Denby
Guest
I second that. The Brumbies were aweful against the Crusaders but the Brumbies scrum absolutely monstered them. It was certainly not Alexander that pushed them so hard. Palmer TPN and Robinson with Kepu on the bench is an awesome front row.
Gary Russell-Sharam
Guest
Don't get me wrong Mike G I'm a big fan of Al Baxter as far as a person and a commentator on radio etc. However IMO I think that he has had his day and while ever he gets tossed like he did last match he will always be GO DOWN BAXTER, Its a bit of a shame as he has been a good prop and is a fairly informed intelligent man that I have admired and will continue to do when he is on a commentators gig. I thought that they had Sekope Kepu as their new man and that he might start. Oh well I'm not the coach Hickey is the man. I don't think they will miss much with Waugh being off the field (maybe the enthusiasm as Captain) he tends to be too forwards orientated for my liking but as Peter K points out the water boy would be better than Mummy. Might be a good thing as Barnes might step into the breach and take charge at crucial times. The pack would have to improve on their last outing and the second row will have to improve dramatically. Perhaps contrary to my opinion Vickerman might get a start when he comes back. If I were the Waratahs second row starters I would be playing my bum off so that I wasn't the one dropped for Vickerman. Can't see hope in hell of Vickerman playing in the WC unless he has been promised something that we don't know about. Anyway I've been in rugby for over 40+ years and I am still mystified by selections.
Mike G
Guest
Gary, surely they realised that Baxter was coming to the end of his career? I appreciate he's had a renaisonce of sorts in the last couple of years (and good luck to him for that, he has been much improved), but I don't see the sense of keeping him around. It's why I was so miffed they let Palmer go...that guy looks to me to be the next long term wallabies #3, and we've let him go....why does this all sound eerily familiar with the Tahs???
PeterK
Roar Guru
the water boy would be a better pick as captain than soft co..k Mumm.
Gary Russell-Sharam
Guest
I tend to agree with you Mike G it will be interesting to see what Turner does with this opportunity. I can't help but wonder how old go down Baxter stayed in the starting side, I'm not saying he is bad but I think the day is nigh that he will be coming off the bench and after this season he may quite well retire. Interesting that they made Mummy the captain I would have thought that Barnes would have been a better pick.
Mike G
Guest
yep, looking forward to seeing how he goes in 13...particularly if Pakalani goes well again...Horne can come back as the 12 he really is and Carter can play off the bench...there, problem solved!
mudskipper
Guest
Turner should have started the Tahs season at 13, he will do well.