Ruan Smith has been named on the bench for the Waratahs and is set to make his Tahs debut against his former club the Queensland Reds in a marquee matchup on Friday night.
“It will be good; it’ll be weird because it was not too long ago that I was there. I’m still close with everyone and have made lifelong friends there,” Smith said.
“It’ll be interesting, I’ll be throwing a few cheeky elbows at a few people and maybe rub some dirt in their face.
“I know how they think, and their coaching staff will tell them to step it up and get in our faces and be physical as that’s probably where they want to beat us.”
Elsewhere, brothers Lachlan and Ryan Lonergan will start for the Brumbies in their Super Rugby clash against Fiji.
It’s reward for Lachlan who scored the winning try for the team in their thrilling victory over the Western Force.
Lachlan replaces Nic White at scrum-half with White to start the game on the bench.
“We’re fortunate to be in a position to rotate some guys in for this week off the back of a hard-fought game in the heat against the Force,” Brumbies coach Dan McKellar said.
Meanwhile, former NRL star Roger Tuivasa-Sheck has been named to make his Super Rugby debut against the Hurricanes.
Friday, 5:05pm, Forsyth Barr Stadium Highlanders
1. Ethan de Groot, 2. Liam Coltman, 3. Jermaine Ainsley, 4. Manaaki Selby-Rickit, 5. Josh Dickson, 6. Shannon Frizell, 7. James Lentjes, 8. Gareth Evans, 9. Aaron Smith (c), 10. Mitch Hunt, 11. Josh Timu, 12. Thomas Umaga-Jensen, 13. Fetuli Paea, 14. Sam Gilbert, 15. Connor Garden-Bachop.
Reserves: 16. Rhys Marshall, 17. Daniel Lienert-Brown, 18. Josh Hohneck, 19. Bryn Evans, 20. Marino Mikaele-Tu’u, 21. Marty Banks, 22. Hugh Renton.
Crusaders
1. Joe Moody, 2. Brodie McAlister, 3. Oliver Jager, 4. Scott Barrett (c), 5. Sam Whitelock, 6. Pablo Matera, 7. Tom Christie, 8. Cullen Grace, 9. Mitchell Drummond, 10. Fergus Burke, 11. Leicester Fainga’anuku, 12. David Havili, 13. Braydon Ennor, 14. Sevu Reece, 15. Will Jordan.
Reserves: 16. Shilo Klein, 17. George Bower, 18. Tamaiti Williams, 19. Quinten Strange, 20. Corey Kellow, 21. Bryn Hall, 22. Simon Hickey, 23. George Bridge.
Friday, 7:45pm, Leichhardt Oval
Waratahs
1. Angus Bell, 2. Davie Porecki, 3. Harry Johnson-Holmes, 4. Jed Holloway, 5. Geoff Cridge, 6. Jeremy Williams, 7. Charles Gamble, 8. Will Harris, 9. Jake Gordon, 10. Ben Donaldson, 11. James Turner, 12. Lalakai Foketi,13. Izaia Perese, 14. Dylan Pietsch, 15. Alex Newsome.
Reserves: 16. Tom Horton, 17. Te Tera Faulkner, 18. Ruan Smith, 19. Hugh Sinclair, 20. Carlo Tizzano, 21. Henry Robertson, 22. Tane Edmed, 23. Jamie Roberts.
Reds
1. Feao Fotuaika, 2. Alex Mafi, 3. Taniela Tupou, 4. Angus Blyth, 5. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto,6. Angus Scott-Young, 7. Fraser McReight, 8. Harry Wilson, 9. Tate McDermott (c), 10. James O’Connor, 11. Filipo Daugunu, 12. Hamish Stewart, 13. Josh Flook, 14. Jordan Petaia, 15. Jock Campbell.
Reserves: 16. Josh Nasser, 17. Harry Hoopert, 18. Zane Nonggorr, 19. Ryan Smith, 20. Seru Uru, 21. Spencer Jeans, 22. Lawson Creighton, 23. Mac Grealy.
Saturday, 2:35pm, GIO Stadium
Brumbies
1. James Slipper, 2. Lachlan Lonergan, 3. Allan Alaalatoa (c), 4. Darcy Swain, 5. Nick Frost, 6. Rob Valetini, 7. Rory Scott, 8. Pete Samu, 9. Ryan Lonergan, 10. Noah Lolesio, 11. Andy Muirhead, 12. Irae Simone, 13. Len Ikitau, 14. Tom Wright, 15. Tom Banks.
Reserves: 16. Billy Pollard, 17. Scott Sio, 18. Tom Ross, 19. Ed Kennedy, 20. Jahrome Brown, 21. Nic White, 22. Chris Feauai-Sautia, 23. Jesse Mogg.
Fijian Drua
1. Kaliopasi Uluilakepa, 2. Tevita Ikanivere, 3. Samu Tawake, 4. Isoa Nasilasila, 5. Ratu Rotuisolia, 6. Vilive Miramira, 7. Kitione Salawa, 8. Nemani Nagusa (c), 9. Simione Kuruvoili, 10. Caleb Muntz, 11. Vinaya Habosi, 12. Kalaveti Ravouvou, 13. Apisalome Vota, 14. Onisi Ratave, 15. Baden Kerr.
Reserves: 16. Mesulame Dolokto, 17. Timoci Sauvoli, 18. Manasa Saulo, 19. Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, 20. Meli Derenalagi, 21. Joseva Tamani, 22. Peni Matawalu, 23. Napolioni Bolaca
Saturday, 5:05pm, Forsyth Barr Satdium
Blues
1. Alex Hodgman, 2. Kurt Eklund, 3. Nepo Laulala, 4. Josh Goodhue, 5. Luke Romano, 6. Tom Robinson, 7. Adrian Choat, 8. Hoskins Sotutu, 9. Finlay Christie, 10. Harry Plummer, 11. Caleb Clarke, 12. Roger Tuivasa-Scheck, 13. Rieko Ioane, 14. Mark Telea, 15. Zarn Sullivan
Reserves: 16. Ricky Riccitelli, 17. Ofa Tuungafasi, 18. Marcel Renata, 19. Sam Darry, 20. Anton Segner, 21. Sam Nock, 22. Stephen Perofeta, 23. Tanielu Tele’a.
Hurricanes 1. Pouri Rakete-Stones, 2. Asafo Aumua, 3. Tyrel Lomax, 4. James Blackwell, 5. Justin Sangster, 6. Reed Prinsep, 7. Blake Gibson, 8. Ardie Savea (c), 9. Jamie Booth, 10. Jackson Garden-Bachop, 11. Salesi Rayasi, 12. Julian Savea, 13. Bailyn Sullivan, 14. Wes Goosen, 15. Jordie Barrett.
Reserves: 16. Jacob Devery, 17. Xavier Numia, 18. Ben May, 19. Devan Flanders, 20. Brayden Iose, 21. Richard Judd,
22. Ruben Love, 23. Peter Umaga-Jensen.
Saturday, 7:45pm, AAMI Park, Melbourne
Rebels
1. Cameron Orr, 2. Jordan Uelese, 3. Cabous Eboff, 4. Matt Philip, 5. Ross Haylett-Petty, 6. Sam Wallis, 7. Brad Wilkin, 8. Michael Wells (c), 9. Joe Powell, 10. Matt To’omua, 11. Glen Vaihu, 12. Raymond Nu’u, 13. Stacey Ili, 14. Lachie Anderson, 15. Reece Hodge.
Reserves: 16. James Hanson, 17. Matt Gibbon, 18. Sef Fa’agase, 19. Thomas Nowlan, 20. Tamati Ioane, 21. James Tuttle, 22. Carter Gordon, 23. Young Tonumaipea.
Force
1. Tom Robertson, 2. Feleti Kaitu’u (c), 3. Santiago Medrano, 4. Fergus Lee-Warner, 5. Izack Rodda, 6. Brynard Stander, 7. Kane Koteka, 8. Tim Anstee, 9. Ian Prior, 10. Reesjan Pasitoa, 11. Manasa Mataele, 12. Richard Kahui, 13. Kyle Godwin, 14. Toni Pulu, 15. Jake Strachan.
Reserves: 16. Andrew Ready, 17. Harrison Lloyd, 18. Greg Holmes, 19. Ryan McCauley, 20. Ollie Callan, 21. Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, 22. Jake McIntyre, 23. Richard Kahui.
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ScottD
Roar Guru
thks
Stin
Roar Rookie
He looks a lot faster than DL too. Looks like the prototype modern rugby forward. Very exciting. (Plus he’s a Marlins man so extra special!)
jeznez
Roar Guru
Was Cridge.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Force website just says “out due to a knock” implies it isn’t serious. He failed a HIA so hopefully just being careful with him.
ScottD
Roar Guru
Good to see the force with only 2 changes to the squad. It's probably the most settled they have ever been. I hope Kuenzle isn't too badly injured and that his rest is precautionary. Not much news on that front. Does anybody know?
tsuru
Roar Rookie
Jez, I’m pretty sure I saw a Scott Battett listed for the Crusaders last week, so whoever he is he must have played well to get another run.
ScottD
Roar Guru
I suggest you watch the game. Anstee did nothing to warrant Wrights reaction and White should have been belted for being a dickhead, he got off lightly. The referees should have penalised NW a couple of time for his silly (and illegal) behaviour).
ScottD
Roar Guru
at one stage he should have been rucked at least
GIGS20
Guest
To'omoua at 10 Can't wait for all the looping 5 man cutout passes to the Force winger. I'm drooling in anticipation
GIGS20
Guest
"Illegally drags him out of the ruck"? Chronicle, he wasn't bound, playing the ball on the floor and offside, should those facts simply be ignored? You could argue Anstee was clearing an illegal defender out of the ruck to promote positive play, in a very similar action used by a Tahs forward (either Swinton or Holloway) against the Drua halfback. The Tahs one was let go, so finally there is some consistency in the refereeing (apart from letting White act like a goose the whole game)
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
Fair call, Markus, my comment doesn’t give due credit to Lonegran.
Markus
Roar Rookie
I don't see much indication that White to the bench is a punishment as opposed to a rotation opportunity, especially given some of the other changes like Brown CFS and Pollard coming in to the 23.
LuckyPhil
Roar Rookie
Congratulation on a well educated and insightful comment. You certainly know your rugby and have added lots to the discussion about the teams.
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
For sure, but 10s have to learn to play behind a beaten pack. I thought the experience was good for Harrison's development.
jeznez
Roar Guru
He's a big young 6/8 has played a bit of lock at Shute level. Made the 2021 Junior Wallabies (not that I think they got any games in). Is a very good ball carrier, has excellent footwork for a player of his size. Reminds me a little of David Lyons with regard to his step and swerve - although looks a lot fitter than Dave ever did.
tsuru
Roar Rookie
See post above - Ralston 23.
tsuru
Roar Rookie
I fit both categories - seen him but don’t know which one he is. I was at the Bowral trial game and, because of the rain, the umbrellas and the frequent and mass substitutions, I was never quite sure who was who.
Jack
Guest
I agree its a big mistake. You dont get experience running the team from the bench and Toomua is no more than a stopgap 10. I thought they got a new coach? Same old aproach sadly.
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
No great surprises in the Reds is about all I can say.
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
Agree, but the handicappers were a bit hard on Carter. Would like to see him on a drier track and in less traffic.