All four sides in action in Round 4 of Super Rugby AU have rung the changes for this weekend.
While the Waratahs are the most settled of the quartet, naming an unchanged starting XV following an impressive performance against the Brumbies, they welcome back halfback Jake Gordon onto the bench for Friday night’s clash against the Rebels. Joe Cotton and Jed Holloway are also new inclusions in the reserves, with Michael McDonald, Will Harris and Robbie Abel all making way.
The Rebels have moved Reece Hodge back to outside centre, with Campbell Magnay unavailable through injury. Hodge is one of three changes to the Rebels XV, Trevor Hosea and Cameron Orr both coming into the starting side. Andrew Deegan takes Magnay’s place in the matchday squad.
Saturday night’s encounter between the Force and Brumbies will see new signing Nick Frisby make his debut for the ‘home’ side. The former Queensland Red will start at scrumhalf with Force skipper Ian Prior ruled out with a shoulder injury.
Reserve prop Greg Holmes is also unavailable – in his case a broken thumb – but there’s some good news for the team’s fans in the form of former All Black Richard Kahui, who will make his first appearance for the Perth-based side from the bench.
Brumbies coach Dan McKellar has reshuffled his side to face the Force. Noah Lolesio is out with a hamstring strain that will sideline him for eight weeks, replaced in the starting XV by Bayley Kuenzle. Fans hoping to get another look at exciting young playmaker Reesjan Pasitoa will be disappointed, with the 19-year-old left off the bench even with Lolesio unavailable.
McKellar has, however, included another young gun in his line-up, bringing lock Nick Frost straight into the starting XV for Darcy Swain. Scott Sio has been moved from the bench into the run-on side, swapping places with James Slipper, as has breakaway Will Miller. Solomone Kata will get his first taste of Super Rugby AU on the wing, while Harry Lloyd is an addition to the bench.
SCG, Friday 7:05pm (AEST)
Waratahs
1. Tom Robertson, 2. Tom Horton, 3. Harry Johnson-Holmes, 4. Ned Hanigan, 5. Rob Simmons (C), 6. Lachlan Swinton, 7. Michael Hooper, 8. Jack Dempsey, 9. Mitch Short, 10. Will Harrison, 11. Alex Newsome (VC), 12. Karmichael Hunt, 13. Joey Walton, 14. James Ramm, 15. Jack Maddocks
Bench: 16. Joseph Cotton, 17. Tetera Faulkner, 18. Chris Talakai, 19. Tom Staniforth, 20. Jed Holloway, 21. Jake Gordon, 22. Mark Nawaqanitawase, 23. Ben Donaldson
Rebels
1. Cameron Orr, 2. Jordan Uelese, 3. Pone Fa’amausili, 4. Matt Philip, 5. Trevor Hosea, 6. Josh Kemeny, 7. Richard Hardwick, 8. Michael Wells, 9. Ryan Louwrens, 10. Matt To’omua, 11. Marika Koroibete, 12. Bill Meakes, 13. Reece Hodge, 14. Andrew Kellaway, 15. Dane Haylett-Petty
Bench: 16. Efi Ma’afu, 17. Matt Gibbon, 18. Jermaine Ainsley, 19. Michael Stolberg, 20. Esei Haangana, 21. Rob Leota, 22. Frank Lomani, 23. Andrew Deegan
Leichhardt Oval, Saturday 7:15pm
Force
1. Angus Wagner, 2. Feleti Kaitu’u, 3. Kieran Longbottom, 4. Jeremy Thrush (c), 5. Fergus Lee-Warner, 6. Henry Stowers, 7. Tevin Ferris, 8. Brynard Stander, 9. Nick Frisby 10. Jono Lance, 11. Brad Lacey, 12. Henry Taefu, 13. Marcel Brache, 14. Byron Ralston, 15. Jack McGregor
Bench: 16. Andrew Ready, 17. Chris Heiberg, 18. Tom Sheminant, 19. Ollie Atkins, 20. Ollie Callan, 21. Jacob Abel, 22. Richard Kahui, 23. Kyle Godwin
Brumbies
1. Scott Sio, 2. Folau Fainga’a, 3. Allan Alaalatoa (c), 4. Murray Douglas, 5. Nick Frost, 6. Rob Valetini, 7. Will Miller, 8. Pete Samu, 9. Joe Powell, 10. Bayley Kuenzle, 11. Tom Wright, 12. Irae Simone, 13. Tevita Kuridrani, 14. Solomone Kata, 15. Tom Banks
Bench: 16. Connal McInerney, 17. Harry Lloyd, 18. James Slipper, 19. Ben Hyne, 20. Lachlan McCaffrey, 21. Issak Fines, 22. Mack Hansen, 23. Andy Muirhead
Gepetto
Roar Rookie
My comment was aimed at the decision to leave Muirhead out of the starting side.
Rhys
Roar Rookie
And you guys have White back too! An embarrassment of riches. But I think with the likes of Pasitoa etc you guys will stay strong for a while to come. Good to see Frost back, would like to see lachlan Lonergan have a go too again. I thought for a rookie he played superbly well in that win vs Chiefs this year (when they were winning Super Rugby :laughing: ). Plenty to look forward to!
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
Just read that apparently Lonergan is recovering from an ankle injury. Tough for whoever misses our between he and Fines. I eventually think Pasitoa might end up at 12 if he stays at the Brumbies. He has the size already and his running game is meant to be his main strength. Tough being behind both Lolesio and Kuenzle too. Yes we are very lucky in the backs especially, but also with some excellent young forwards. Excited to see Frost this week!
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
Would you have put Wright on the bench or let Kata ease himself back in from the 23 jersey?
Gepetto
Roar Rookie
Kata is not in CF-S's class.
Gepetto
Roar Rookie
Madness.
Rhys
Roar Rookie
Indeed! I think in that instance he'd get the nod though should Kuenzle go down, but that would be pretty disastrous. Would prefer to see him off the bench. Idk about Lonergan, would like to see him have a crack too if he's not injured, but I suspect that Fine's performance gets him the nod. You guys have a lot of depth there in some young up and comers OOP!!
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
Yes I guess that makes sense, but concerning if Kuenzle is injured! Is Ryan Lonergan injured?
Rhys
Roar Rookie
I'd like to see Tafa get a run though! Idk but I keep hoping to see his name on the announcement list each week, I feel like he's got a lot to give. The other boys must be ahead of him still though if he hasn't been selected.
Rhys
Roar Rookie
I thought that too, but I think Pasitoa as he's barely out of school, it's fair enough he gets eased into it. A shame he didn't get a run around in the u20s this year, that would help him ease into SR better
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
Interesting that Hansen, not Pasitoa, is obviously seen as the next 10. I remember a few years ago Hansen was often spoken of as a future 10, but rather like Maddocks it seemed to me like that had sort of disappeared and he was seen solely as a fullback.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
Muirhead unlucky to find himself on the bed after how good he was last week
Ex force fan
Guest
Thank you Greysy.
Ex force fan
Guest
Godwin signed with the Tahs so not sure why Jooste didn’t get a spot on the bench if he is not injured. We should give locals priority. Rain is forecasted so Jooste’s big boot may have been useful. A missed kick to touch didn’t help but we loose 5-10 metres on kick to touch.
jameswm
Roar Guru
Really looking forward to seeiong: - Will Miller - quality footballer who I think will only make the Brumbeis pack stronger - Nick Frost - 202cm and incredibly athletic. How is his physicality and set piece ability? We need to check which side he scrums on and see how his prop is doing. He is coordinated, tall and athletics, so can only be a plus at lineout time. He'd get up high fast - Jed Holloway - has he been injured? So much potential, just has not been able to find any consistency - Harrison v Toomua - the old dog vs the young buck. Let's see a direct comparison - Valetini and Tom Wright - a chance to really push for higher honours and get noticed. - Little Dr Tom vs bit Pone in the scrums. I expect the Tahs to dominate here for some reason. I think Ned is working hard and the tahs are getting a lot of force from their locks. The Rebels scrum has never been that strong.
jameswm
Roar Guru
Ha ha, I thought the same thing when I saw Talakai's name.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Rory O'Connor minced him, I had been wanting to see much more of him when he was at the Tahs but if ROC had been doing that to him at most trainings then I can see why they were reluctant to give him more of a go. Unfortunately with the Brumbies scrum misfiring I'm not sure he's getting the coaching he obviously needs.
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
Yep, those hard yards in traffic are often worth 2 for 1, I reckon
Greysy
Roar Rookie
I don't think Jooste is injured - Rugby.com.au listed the injured players in their team announcement and he wasn't one of them. I think it's more that he's been average starting and that there's no point putting him on the bench if Godwin is there because they cover the same positions.
Scott
Guest
" with Campbell Magnay unavailable through injury." Shock horror.