Waratahs head coach Daryl Gibson has made just one change to his starting line-up for their Super Rugby quarter-final against the Highlanders at Allianz Stadium on Saturday.
Alex Newsome will start on the right wing in place of Cam Clark, who moves to the bench.
Coach Gibson said: “Alex has been impressive the last few games in terms of impact off the bench. He really deserves a start, he has earned that. Every time he has touched the ball he has really added, he’s exciting. He has some excellent wingers he is going to be up against but we know he can do the job there.”
“The Highlanders are a very clever team, trying different stuff and exciting to watch. A lot of our preparation has been about how to prevent that. We have an excellent attack and for us we need to ensure that our defence is solid and making sure that we don’t concede tries as well,” he added.
The Honourable Stuart Ayres MP, Minister for Sport showed his support for the team today.
“It is fantastic that the Minister is here today to lend his support to the team and we are determined to represent the State proudly in what is our final, potentially our home final,” Gibson said.
The Minister called on rugby supporters in NSW to get behind the NSW Waratahs.
“This is a call to arms to all rugby fans across NSW. This weekend is your home final so don’t make any excuses. Get in a car, jump on a plane, catch a train, walk to the ground if you have to but this is your opportunity to get behind the Waratahs and their final against the Highlanders,” the Minister said.
Waratahs hooker Damien Fitzpatrick will play his 50th match for New South Wales and is three caps away from a half century of Super Rugby games.
Waratahs: 15 Israel Folau, 14 Alex Newsome, 13 Curtis Rona, 12 Kurtley Beale, 11 Taqele Naiyaravoro, 10 Bernard Foley (c), 9 Nick Phipps, 8 Michael Wells, 7 Will Miller, 6 Ned Hanigan, 5 Rob Simmons, 4 Jed Holloway, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Damien Fitzpatrick, 1 Tom Robertson
Replacements: 16 Tolu Latu, 17 Harry Johnson-Holmes, 18 Paddy Ryan, 19 Tom Staniforth, 20 Brad Wilkin, 21 Jake Gordon, 22 Cameron Clark, 23 Bryce Hegarty
Date: Saturday, July 21
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Kick-off: 20:05 local (11:05 BST, 10:05 GMT)
Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)
Assistant referees: Nic Berry (Australia), Will Houston (Australia)
TMO: George Ayoub (Australia)