The Waratahs will field an inexperienced side for their Super Rugby AU opener, while the Brumbies will be without star fullback Tom Banks for their clash against the Rebels.
Hit hard by injury before Round 1 after their depth already took a hit due to some player departures during the COVID-19 break, the Waratahs have named five uncapped players in their matchday squad for Friday night’s trip to Brisbane to face the Reds.
One of those debutants is towering number 8 Will Harris, who has pushed Jack Dempsey to the bench, while midfield injuries will see Joey Walton start at inside centre. Tom Horton, Tiaan Tauakipulu and Ben Donaldson are all on the bench.
Harris will be going up against two of his Junior Wallabies teammates in the Reds back row, with Fraser McReight and Harry Wilson both named to start. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto has been named at lock, while Queensland’s own slim centre stocks haven’t stopped Brad Thorn from picking James O’Connor at flyhalf.
Will Harris playing for the NSW Country Eagles. (Photo by Tracey Nearmy/Getty Images)
Meanwhile, the Brumbies will have to make do without Tom Banks in the no.15 jersey in Saturday night’s matchup with the Rebels. The fullback has a foot injury and has been replaced by Mack Hansen. Solomone Kata and Ryan Lonergan are also unavailable for the ACT side.
Their opponents have named four debutants for the match in Canberra, with Michael Stolberg and Josh Kemeny to make their first Rebels appearances in the run-on side and Efitusi Maafu and Trevor Hosea on the bench.
Reece Hodge has been named at outside centre alongside Billy Meakes, and the oft-injured Jordan Uelese will start in the no.2 jersey.
Queensland Reds vs NSW Waratahs
Reds (15-1)
Bryce Hegarty, Jock Campbell, Hunter Paisami, Hamish Stewart, Filipo Daugunu, James O’Connor, Tate McDermott, Harry Wilson, Fraser McReight, Liam Wright (c), Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Angus Blyth, Taniela Tupou, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Harry Hoopert
Bench: Alex Mafi, JP Smith, Josh Nasser, Tuaina Taii Tualima, Angus Scott Young, Scott Malolua, Chris Feauai-Sautia, Josh Flook
Waratahs (15-1)
Jack Maddocks, James Ramm, Alex Newsome, Joey Walton, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Will Harrison, Mitch Short, Will Harris, Michael Hooper, Lachlan Swinton, Rob Simmons (c), Ned Hanigan, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Robbie Abel, Angus Bell
Bench: Tom Horton, Tetera Faulkner, Tiaan Tauakipulu Tom Staniforth, Jack Dempsey, Michael McDonald, Ben Donaldson, Tepai Moeroa
ACT Brumbies vs Melbourne Rebels
Brumbies (15-1)
Mack Hansen, Andy Muirhead, Tevita Kuridrani, Irae Simone, Tom Wright, Noah Lolesio, Joe Powell, Pete Samu, Tom Cusack, Rob Valetini, Murray Douglas, Darcy Swain, Allan Alaalatoa (c), Folau Fainga’a, James Slipper
Bench: Connal McInerney, Scott Sio, Tom Ross, Lachlan McCaffrey, Will Miller, Issak Fines, Bayley Kuenzle, Len Ikitau
Rebels (15-1)
Dane Haylett-Petty (c), Andrew Kellaway, Reece Hodge, Billy Meakes, Marika Koroibete, Matt To’omua, Ryan Louwrens, Michael Wells, Richard Hardwick, Josh Kemeny, Michael Stolberg, Matt Philip, Pone Fa’amausili, Jordan Uelese, Matt Gibbon
Bench: Efitusi Maafu, Cameron Orr, Jermaine Ainsley, Trevor Hosea, Esei Haangana, Rob Leota, Frank Lomani, Andrew Deegan
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
Would have to be ASY, he's also taller than the other chap, Tuaina Taii Tualima. And I think Harry Wilson (195cm, 108kg) is about the same as ASY. I vaguely recall seeing him in a 4 jumper once (or maybe it was Will Harris ... )
stillmissit
Roar Guru
I am hoping to get a glimpse of the future this weekend and think it is fortunate that there have been a couple of injuries and some form slump. Essential viewing for those of us with Fox etc
nutter
Guest
I thought Brown had a pretty serious knee injury from pre season? I like that we can have these kind of debates about the depth of the Brumbies back row. Cusack gets through a mountain of work and has a motor which just doesn't stop. Might lack some of the highlight moments but is constantly working. Also a better support player with his sevens background.
Markus
Roar Rookie
Yeah I like Cusack personally, he gets through a mountain of work and is a secondary lineout option but he lacks real breakdown or attacking threat. I thought Miller was stronger this season, and thought Jahrome Brown looked better than both in his performances last year but he just hasn't been in the frame at all this season.
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
Jock was having a shocker before C-19. At best he looked like a part-timer who did not want the job.
Tooly
Roar Rookie
Here we go ! Here we go ! A lot of talk from the pundits about the old perennial failures ; Robertson, Hooper, Dempsey, Hanigan, “ The Alphabet “ , Hodge, Toomua, JOC, Loto, and the un- proven Under 20 lads. Not much about those that Chekko ignored. Banks, Kuridrani, Samu , Valentini , Meakes, Speight, Neville, Philip, Powell. Reality suggests that Lolisio , Wright, Wilson , Samu , Meakes, Kuridrani, Banks, White, Petaia, Harrison , Sio, Slipper, Aalotau, Topau , Koreibeti and DHP as Captain are essential to any hope of revival. The NZ Rugby has been of high class. We have a lot to aim at. Players, Coaches and match officials.
Hazel Nutt
Roar Rookie
I seem to recall Campbell can kick for goal, he was just inconsistent, but from memory Hegarty can also be inconsistent from the tee. They really needed Campbell out in front of the sticks every day during the solo and small group training period to at least have a backup. Stewart too. Hegarty is good, but ultimately I think these young guys are fast overtaking him.
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
Yeah but I think Jock plays wing fairly well too. Gotta have Hegarty’s goal kicking so, needs must.
jeznez
Roar Guru
I assume ASY, the other back rower on the bench is only 99kg
Hazel Nutt
Roar Rookie
I think it's unfortunate the Reds moved Campbell to the wing to make room for Hegarty. Campbell was in good form and really settling into that fullback role leading up to the shutdown. Perhaps the Reds are gearing up to take full advantage of the new kicking laws?
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
Hodge has had multiple opportunities at 13 and has yet to show anything worth praising Fair enough, but has he had a consistent run there? No doubt I'm exaggerating but it seems like he's played a different position every second game. He's still young, too. [McReight and Wright are ... are the ideal combo in many ways. Agree, it could be spectacularly successful, or the opposite. Only one way to find out.
Hazel Nutt
Roar Rookie
I'd add to that, what has happened to Campbell Magnay? He seemed to have a decent run at 13 before I think he was injured. Is he still out, or just overlooked?
Paul D
Roar Rookie
There was also a couple of Harrison’s too I believe. Harrison Goddard and another
jeznez
Roar Guru
New ruck interpretations might force that, going to be interesting seeing which halfbacks can keep their cool with a sped up contest.
Jacko
Guest
And it should really suit the new interpretations around the breakdown having those 2 in the back row
PeterK
Roar Guru
Hodge has had multiple opportunities at 13 and has yet to show anything worth praising. I really look forward to Wright at 6 and McReight starting. If Wright does well 6 is the one of the most open positions in the wallabies, he certainly was not getting a start at 7. If you are using 2 opensiders they are the ideal combo in many ways.
Bourkos
Roar Rookie
100%. I bet Rennie has told him don’t leave you are a definite for lock
Bourkos
Roar Rookie
Cusack is barely super rugby standard. He Lacks any go forward with the ball, makes many errors compared to his teammates and rarely gets a turnover. Bench him
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
You're a gentleman, Highlander, you obviously could have gone in with a much harder retort!
Highlander
Guest
Well..........watch anyway :laughing: