The NSW Waratahs are again without the muscle of lock Will Skelton, but have regained the services of Wallabies halfback Nick Phipps for their Super Rugby clash with the Sharks in Durban on Sunday (AEDT).
Skelton continues to battle a hamstring injury that forced his late withdrawal ahead of their loss to the Lions last weekend, and his absence has led to a start in the second row for former Shark David McDuling.
Waratahs coach Daryl Gibson said McDuling deserves the extra responsibility.
“We are excited for David who has earned the chance to start after his performance as a finisher in recent weeks,” Gibson said.
“It is a great opportunity for him to go up against his old team.”
McDuling said his ties to Durban and the Sharks will make Sunday morning’s game that little bit more special.
“Everyone enjoys playing against people they know, which is the same in the Australian derbies – you want to get one up over your mates,” he said.
“For me it is another great opportunity to pull on a Waratahs jersey, play at a great stadium against a great team,” he said.
Phipps’s return from an ankle injury has relegated Matt Lucas to the bench.
NSW WARATAHS: Andrew Kellaway, Reece Robinson, Israel Folau, Irae Simone, Rob Horne, Bryce Hegarty, Nick Phipps, Michael Wells, Michael Hooper (capt), Jack Dempsey, David McDuling, Dean Mumm, Sekope Kepu, Tolu Latu, Tom Robertson. RES: Hugh Roach, Paddy Ryan, David Lolohea, Senio Toleafoa, Maclean Jones, Matt Lucas, David Horwitz, Cameron Clark.
Boonzie
Guest
Time for izzy on the wing me thinks with a roving commission
Nate
Guest
9 Phipps 10 Foley 11 Naiyaravoro 12 Beale 13/14 Simone 14/13 Folau 15 Kellaway
John R
Roar Guru
Reckon Ned Hannigan is gonna be the goods. Damn shame he's injured at the moment.
ThugbyFan
Roar Guru
Because teams see it, keep the ball up front and can charge the whole 100m if not contested. Once they get up steam because opponents didn't engage, its almost impossible to stop without pulling people down.
ThugbyFan
Roar Guru
Tahs big big big HUGE problem is no decent locks who can pester the opponent's lineout throws and ruin their mauls. You know its grim when Mummy's boy Dean and Fat Angry Willy are the preferred two starting locks. You can see why they have rushed D.McDuling in, the new boy S.Toleafoa really looked out of place last week against the Lions and barely made any contribution. A shame as he looked awesome in the NRC last year but needs to find his feet in SR. I see N.Phipps is back which is good as he gets around the park really well and a very good cover defender. In other news K.Beale is coming back to Australia. I honestly hope he goes elsewhere, say to the Force or back to Melbourne. The last thing the Tahs need is to blow all their remaining loot on Beale which then means no new decent locks = star-studded backline picks nose watching forwards going backwards. Further although K.Beale is a damned good player, he has defence issues and the Tahs now have an up-n-coming star in Irae Simone at IC already. If Beale comes back, I.Simone will likely go elsewhere (maybe even NH and play for England in 3 years time).
Smiggle Jiggle
Roar Guru
If your forward pack relies on one person for maul defense, then that's a bigger issue itself. On another maul question, why don't teams "not engage' more when dealing with mauls. Seems to be a great tactic.
Jameswm
Guest
You don't set the bar that high, do you?
Lano
Roar Guru
comment of the year!
Jameswm
Guest
One of the main reasons we lost last game was our poor lineout maul defence.
Tissot Time
Guest
Locks with hamstring injuries ummm. Game a little faster than Sarries maybe?
Smiggle Jiggle
Roar Guru
You know your side is going well when you rue the loss of Skelton.
Jock Cornet
Guest
Where are the half backs gone?