The line-ups for Round 9 of Super Rugby AU have been announced.
The Waratahs welcome back Wallabies blindside flanker Lachie Swinton to their side for the trip to Perth to face the Force, while Tim Anstee, who scored last week’s game-winner against the Rebels, returns to the hosts’ starting XV.
As reported yesterday, Ben Donaldson has been named at flyhalf for the Tahs instead of Tane Edmed, after regular number ten Will Harrison was sidelined with a hamstring strain, and Sam Caird is the other addition to the NSW team.
Mark Nawaqanitawase and Michael Wood are the two other outs alongside Harrison.
In addition to promoting Anstee to the run-on side, Brynard Stander has also been pushed back into the Force XV. Byron Ralston is out after last week’s head knock, and Tomas Lezana picked up a foot injury against the Rebels which has him ruled out of Saturday’s game. Kieran Longbottom also misses out, with Greg Holmes, Jake Strachan and Grason Makara all coming into the matchday squad.
For Sunday’s clash between the Rebels and Brumbies in Melbourne, the hosts will be able to call on the services of Isi Naisarani after the big back-rower was named on an extended bench.
Campbell Magnay comes into the centres, pushing Lewis Holland back to the reserves, and with Dane Haylett-Petty still a week away from making his season debut, Tom Pincus has replaced the injured Reece Hodge at fullback.
Brumbies coach Dan McKellar has shuffled his side for the encounter with the Rebels, moving Ryan Lonergan into the number nine jersey and pushing Nic White to the bench, and naming a new-look back row of James Tucker at blindside flanker, Rory Scott at openside, and Rob Valetini at number eight.
Will Miller will make his first appearance for the side since announcing his return from retirement via the reserves, while Scott Sio will start in the front row with James Slipper to come off the bench. Bayley Kuenzle gets a crack at inside centre in place of Irae Simone.
Saturday, 7:45pm (AEST), HBF Park
Force
(1-15): Tom Robertson, Feleti Kaitu’u, Santiago Medrano, Jeremy Thrush, Sitaleki Timani, Tim Anstee, Kane Koteka, Brynard Stander, Tomas Cubelli, Domingo Miotti, Jordan Olowofela, Kyle Godwin (c), Tevita Kuridrani, Richard Kahui, Jack McGregor
Reserves: Andrew Ready, Angus Wagner, Greg Holmes, Ryan McCauley, Fergus Lee-Warner, Ian Prior, Grason Makara, Jake Strachan
In: Greg Holmes, Jake Strachan, Grason Makara
Out: Byron Ralston, Tomas Lezana, Kieran Longbottom
Waratahs
(1-15): Angus Bell, Dave Porecki, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Hugh Sinclair, Max Douglas, Lachlan Swinton, Carlo Tizzano, Will Harris, Jake Gordon (c), Ben Donaldson, James Ramm, Lalakai Foketi, Izaia Perese, Alex Newsome, Jack Maddocks
Reserves: Tom Horton, Te Tera Faulkner, Darcy Breen, Sam Caird, Jeremy Williams, Charlie Gamble, Jack Grant, Tane Edmed
In: Lachlan Swinton, Ben Donaldson, Sam Caird
Out: Michael Wood, Will Harrison, Mark Nawaqanitawase
Sunday, 2pm (AEST), AAMI Park
Rebels
(1-15): Matt Gibbon, James Hanson, Pone Faamausili, Rob Leota, Trevor Hosea, Josh Kemeny, Richard Hardwick, Michael Wells, Joe Powell, Matt To’omua (c), Marika Koroibete, Campbell Magnay, Stacey Ili, Frank Lomani, Tom Pincus
Reserves: Jordan Uelese, Cabous Eloff, Cameron Orr, Lucio Sordoni, Ross Haylett-Petty, Isi Naisarani, Brad Wilkin, James Tuttle, Lewis Holland, Glen Vaihu (two to omit)
In: Isi Naisarani, Glen Vaihu, Campbell Magnay, Ross Haylett-Petty, Cameron Orr
Out: Jeral Skelton, Reece Hodge, Steve Cummins
Brumbies
(1-15): Scott Sio, Folau Fainga’a, Allan Alaalatoa, Darcy Swain, Cadeyrn Neville, James Tucker, Rory Scott, Rob Valetini, Ryan Lonergan, Noah Lolesio, Tom Wright, Bayley Kuenzle, Len Ikitau, Andy Muirhead, Tom Banks
Reserves: Lachlan Lonergan, James Slipper, Tom Ross, Nick Frost, Will Miller, Nic White, Reesjan Pasitoa, Mack Hansen
In: Tom Ross, Rory Scott, Reesjan Pasitoa, Will Miller
Out: Sefo Kautai, Pete Samu, Irae Simone, Tom Cusack
Guess
Roar Rookie
I think he's attention seeking "4 letter word" who's trying to make a name: "Batger, the former Waratahs and Brumbies representative, has also lashed out at the 2019 Junior Wallabies team and criticised NSW for not taking Shute Shield performances seriously enough" He's either that abrasive/inexperienced or downright toxic type who loves to stir the drama Maybe he's new cheika in the making :shocked: :laughing:
jameswm
Roar Guru
Apologies, I didn’t take those factors into the calculation
jameswm
Roar Guru
Cheers
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
We have seen quite a few successful tall props too. Carl Hayman an example.
Mo
Guest
It’s hard being a bully when everyone is a tough guy.
Mo
Guest
Not just timani. We’ve doubled down with thrush as well. Strong as but slow.
Mo
Guest
Cheers. Let’s hope he can learn to scrum then coz most can’t and 115 seems the minimum. Otherwise maybe no 8. Bells a bit tall but he’s big.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
He’s just not tall enough to be a lock, and he’s a very thick built lad. He’s just not quite good enough to be a 6 in my view. Wood isn’t dynamic like Samu. That’s why I think he’s not good enough as a 6. He’s got the speed and agility of a lock with the height of a 6. If he can learn the position I feel like he’d be a great prop. He could offer so much around the ground because he’s a really good footy player. Just not in the context of super rugby back rowers.
MO
Guest
That makes more sense PS.
MO
Guest
Hi TWAS are you thinking Wood is not good enough? Too slow or something? Pete Samu is handy and isn't he around that size. Slightly shorter I think. I thought Samu was like 6 footish and a tick over 100kgs. If Wood pumps up to 115kg is that enough these days? May be doable.
HiKa
Roar Rookie
Many thanks.
jeznez
Roar Guru
192 cm that’s even taller than Uelese.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
That's true. Probably need a bit more skill at hooker though. I suspect they see him as somebody good enough to play Super Rugby, but not tall enough to be a lock.
Paul D
Roar Rookie
I would have thought Hooker would be the more straight forward way for a chunky backrower to find a new place to call home in the front row. I guess they must have seen something that says he'll make it
Perthstayer
Roar Rookie
:happy: I'll save you the time.... 6 of 7 on for 86%. All 7 for 75%. Divide those by frustration, add relief, multiply by square root of expectation = 99%
Paul D
Roar Rookie
Really??
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
I suspect for him to make it has a pro he has too. He looked a lot chunkier than similar height guys. He won't make it as a lock as an elite pro, or a 6.
jeznez
Roar Guru
G'day Hika, the Rebels struggled a bit last week against a very wily Force front row. Think they should have it a fair bit easier this week. Rebels strongest FR this season has been Eloff/Uelese/Fa'amausili which did better in a straighter contest against the Reds than the tricks the Force have up their sleeve. I really rated Orr last year so hoping he gets on the pitch as well. Haven't been impressed by the Brumbies scrum for a while so there is an opportunity for the Rebels, they don't look to be starting their strongest scrummaging group though. Will be very interested to see how the Tahs hold up against the Force. Should be a very good challenge for them. I think it's parity or a Force win at scrum time - really not sure which. Faulkner may be key if we are getting into trouble.
Tommy
Guest
Personnally i thought the tahs backrow played better last week without Swinton.He has offered zilch in his 3 games this year.I hope Rennie is watching his limp and lazy performances and will not just slot him back in at Wallaby 6.
jeznez
Roar Guru
What?????? Seems like madness to me. He's 192cm and 105kg from his listings. So same height as Bell but 16kg lighter. That's a lot of mass and a lot of learning to do. Who's the last great conversion (and I mean as an adult) I assume Richard Harry?