NSW will go into Saturday’s Super Rugby clash with the Blues in Auckland without skipper Phil Waugh and their backline could also be changed with centre Tom Carter in doubt with a hamstring injury.
Openside flanker Waugh continues to battle the calf strain which kept him out of last week’s victory over the Force.
“Phil is still not quite right with that calf muscle, so he’s going to be out this week as well,” NSW coach Chris Hickey told reporters on Tuesday.
“We thought it would have been a lot better by today.
“If he played it would be still a significant risk of developing into a tear and that becomes then a five or six week injury.”
Hickey will make at least one change to his backline with winger Atieli Pakalani out for at least two weeks with a hamstring problem.
“He will be very disappointed at not being able to play against the Blues, coming from Auckland, but we’ve got to look at some long term decisions for him as well and get that injury right,” Hickey said.
Pakalani was injured against the Force, while centre Carter won’t train until Thursday after feeling a twinge in his hamstring near the end of the game in Perth.
Either New Zealander Sosene Anesi or rookie Tom Kingston, who has yet to make a Super Rugby appearance will replace Pakalani.
All Black Anesi was out for four weeks with a crack in his shoulder, but returned to action in a Sub-districts game in Sydney last week.
Hickey was still hoping Carter would be right for the weekend, but his absence could cause a rejig in the Waratahs backline.
Hickey said one option would be to move Ryan Cross from outside centre to inside centre and bringing Lachie Turner from the wing into the no.13 spot
He said he was again looking at having five forwards and just two backs on the bench.
Hickey confirmed Dave Dennis would come off the bench to start at blindside flanker, with Ben Mowen switching from that spot to No.8 in place of the injured Wycliff Palau
“Cliffy is an extremely powerful player, I probably maybe offer a little bit more in the lineout, setpiece, but also just the support around the field,” Dennis told reporters.
“I like to get my hands on the ball, I might not be as effective as Cliff, but just my involvement and work rate, I try and add a fair bit.”
He said the Blues were a quality side that have probably underachieved in recent years, but have been more consistent this season.
Short-Blind
Guest
They got the Reds cold in the first round and will be smashed next week if current form lines continue. The tahs may scrape into the semis but will bow out in the first week - as usual. Hickey will leave (along with several players) and someone else will take over the poisoned chalice of OZ rugby. Like a broken record really.......Tahs are in real need of massive culture change throughout the entire organisation. Glad I'm a Queenslander!
Wingersliketowatch
Guest
Agree with others above. Time to try Burgess or Holmes at 12. Both are tough and have real strength. The one with the trustiest running pass should get the jumper. When you have 3 good halfbacks(and 2 of them are watching) and no 12 it makes sense to slot someone into 12, rather than shuffle 13 and 14 in a place. Less disruption that way. Hope Hickey is listening (or at least knows what he is doing)
dunc
Guest
Sorry guys but Kevin Mealamu and the other bro's will want this bad....real bad...Kaino, Ranger, Mcalister, Brett to fire...
Next year!
Guest
Tah's in Auckland with all those regulars out and new combinations ......No chance ! Would love to see you prove me wrong though!
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
And the bloke most capable of captaining their minds back onto the job when necessary, PeterK.
Ryan
Guest
Absolutely i am up for a bet. On paper i would say the Reds wil win but history is on the side of the Tahs. If the Reds can knock over the Crusaders i will be super impressed.
PeterK
Roar Guru
Missing Waugh, Palu, Barnes, Carter, Horne and Pakalini is 40% of the team. Big ask to win away at Auckland.
Wall-Nut
Guest
I don't look at single players winning games however if I had to pick I'd go the International pairing of Genia and Cooper. You may be eating your words next match. If Suncorp verges close to 40,000 for this game, Reds have a different mind set and the Waratahs reign over the Reds will end!!! Friendly bet? -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Ryan
Guest
Wall-Nut, I can't wait till the Tahs smash the Reds again. Reds are playing well and are a pleasure to watch but the Tahs have the psychological edge over the Reds and that ain't about to change. Is there a single player in the Reds team that has won a game against the Tahs???
Wall-Nut
Guest
Lol lol Ryan Ryan Ryan, at least the Reds haven't been booed off the ground. This would have to be the biggest insult yes? Reds were slow of the mark, but the mark has now been set, which is far from what the Waratahs are doing! -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Ryan
Guest
Wall-Nut, Two things, firstly the Tahs are clearly a better side when Phil is on the pitch and the dramatic drop in wins when he is off show this. Phil might not be the best no. 7 getting around anymore but is he the best leader available?? yes he is.. Secondly the Tahs beat the Reds earlier in the season and have done so for the last 6 or so years. Win win win.
mudskipper
Guest
Can see the Tahs gettign the point here. Not without Barnes, Waugh and Palu. Beale, Turner and Mitchell want be enough.
mudskipper
Guest
Josh Holmes move to the Tahs has been a massive waste of time. Its a shame he left the Brumbies... His a talented guy who needs more S15 game time.
Harry the 1st
Guest
Critical game this one ... IF the Tahs can win it will go a long way to getting 2 Aus teams in the final 6. The Tahs have a pretty good record against Auckland in recent years so they are in with a chance ... Time for the back row to step up and Beale to control the game.
Eric
Guest
I agree re Josh Holmes, but if he hasn't been running there with the squad it would be madness. Wouldn't the Blues love to see Cross, Turner & Holmes defending the midfield.
Gary Russell-Sharam
Guest
Good comment Mals, Holmes has played a lot of inside centre and is quite big he has good hands and can pass well with a turn of speed. Not the worst choice in my book. I don't like Cross at in centre as a matter of fact I am not keen on Cross at all. Even in his best games he doesn't seem to bust the line much. I think the Tahs will struggle big time in Auckland.
Working Class Rugger
Guest
The Blues have injury concerns themselves so that may assist in squaring the ledger somewhat. I'd like to see Burgess have a run at Inside with McKibbin starting at half. Burgess has always effectively provided the Tahs with another backrow/centre so its a natural progression imo.
Wall-Nut
Guest
Auckland, I think the Blues have got this, hopefully they can prove me wrong -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
AJ
Guest
Ok I'm a Reds fan who will take my hat off if they can roll the Blues.Is it in Auckland or Syd?
Mals
Guest
I would like to see Josh Holmes get a start at inside centre.