The Waratahs have named an unchanged starting XI for Friday night’s (7.35pm kick-off) Swifts x Super Rugby Pacific match against Fiji Dorua at Allianz Stadium.
The only change from the 23-man squad will be replacement hooker Ioane Moananu, who will make his Super Rugby Pacific debut for the Waratahs if he takes the field.
The Waratahs and Druah offloaded more than any other team in the first round, scoring 11 goals, and the home side’s attacking game paid off in a 36-12 bonus point victory over rivals the Reds.
And head coach Dan McKellar is expecting another exciting game at Allianz Stadium on Friday night.
“It’s going to be a nail-biting game for our fans on Friday night,” said Coach McKellar.
“Drua play a unique brand of rugby. We need to be disciplined and consistent in everything we do. They are a dangerous opponent and any team will be punished from turnovers.”
“We were happy with our performance against the Reds and the continuation of our work in pre-season, but as expected after the first leg, there is room for improvement.
“I am delighted that Ioane has been given the chance. He has worked hard since arriving at the club and it was a difficult decision to leave him out of the 23-man squad for the first leg.”
Tom Lambert, Ethan Dobbins and Daniel Botha are back in the front row, with Botha having played full time as tighthead prop last week.
In the second row, captain Matt Philippe will once again lead the team from lock, with Miles Amatosello partnering him. Clem Haraholo, one of the seven players to make his debut last week, maintained his position as blindside flanker with a very impressive performance, scoring a try and 55 carry meters in just 50 minutes.
Openside flanker Charlie Gamble also had an impact with 17 tackles (no failures) and two assists, making him the first Waratahs forward to record multiple try assists in a game since Jack Dempsey in 2020. Pete Sam gave a solid performance in his club debut against the Reds, filling in the back row.
37-capped Wallabies Jake Gordon and Lawson Clayton are in the halves again, with Clayton scoring 11 points off the tee last weekend.
At center, Joey Walton and Joseph-Auxo Suari lined up again for the second straight game, surpassing their combined total of one game at center last season.
Max Jorgensen, who has been directly involved in six tries, scoring four tries and providing two assists in the last five games in Super Rugby Pacific, will again start on the left wing, alongside Harry Potter and James Hendren, who made their debuts last week. Hendren, 23, was particularly impressive, carrying 98 meters from just three and kicking 129 meters.
Moananu was on the bench in place of Folau Fainger, who suffered a concussion in the game against the Reds.
Moananu, 25, is a qualified nurse of Samoan descent and won the Super Rugby Pacific with the Crusaders last year, playing 12 games and scoring five tries. He was signed in the off-season and scored the winning try in a 50-48 trial win against the Brumbies at Marist College earlier this month.
Isaac Cailea and Teddy Wilson came off the bench to become try-scorers last weekend and are primed to make an impact again along with other substitutes.
Tickets are now available for the New South Wales Waratahs’ second match against Fiji Dorua on Friday 20th February at Allianz Stadium. here
NSW Waratahs v Fiji Drua
Swyftx Super Rugby Pacific Round 2, Friday 20th February, 7:35pm Kick-off AEDT
Allianz Stadium, 40/44 Driver Ave, Moorpark, NSW 2021
Starting XV:
- tom lambert
- ethan dobbins
- Daniel Botha
- Matt Philip ©
- Miles Amatocero
- Clem Haraholo
- charlie gamble
- pete sam
- jake gordon
- Lawson Clayton
- Max Jorgensen
- joey walton
- Joseph Auxo Suari
- harry potter
- james hendren
Alternatives:
16. Ioane Moananu*
17. Isaac Cailea
18.Sioshifa Amone
19. Angus Blyth
20. Leafy Tarataina
21. Teddy Wilson
22. Jack Debrezzeni
23. Triston Riley
*Line up for Waratahs’ Super Rugby debut
List of injuries:
- Eamonn Doyle – Ankle injury
- Austin Durbidge – Forearm
- Folau Fainger – Concussion
- Angus Scott Young – Calf