NSW Waratahs named for penultimate blockbuster match against the Hurricanes

Jul 7 • General News, International, Super Rugby • 1271 Views • Comments Off on NSW Waratahs named for penultimate blockbuster match against the Hurricanes

The NSW Waratahs team has been named for this Saturday’s blockbuster last home game of the regular season against 2015 Super Rugby finalists, the Hurricanes at Allianz Stadium.

The round 16 match will be one of the biggest games all year for the Waratahs as they sit equal top of the Australian conference on the cusp of the Super Rugby final series.
Five changes have been made to the team from last week’s nine-try bonus point performance against the Sunwolves in Japan.
Powerful number eight, Wycliff Palu makes a welcome return to the starting side injecting some added experience and leadership to the back row together with Dean Mumm and Team Captain, Michael Hooper.
Club Captain, Dave Dennis will pair up with Will Skelton in the second row, while in the backs, Matt Carraro returns to the starting XV, joining Taqele Naiyaravoro on the wing.
Jack Dempsey, Matt Lucas and Reece Robinson will provide welcome support off the bench for the Tahs this weekend following their impressive performances against the Sunwolves in the last round.
Dean Mumm is set to run our for his 100^th Super Rugby game this weekend, while Matt Carraro will celebrate his 50^th Super Rugby and NSW Waratahs match.
The NSW Waratahs and Hurricanes have faced each other on 20 occasions, winning 10 games each, with the Tahs securing six out of the last eight meetings.
The match doubles as the NSW Waratahs Cultural round, celebrating the culture within NSW Rugby. In recognition of the round and NAIDOC Week, the NSW Waratahs will wear unique Indigenous warm-up tshirts specially designed by a young artist from AIME Mentoring.
Each player’s shirt are up for auction now at www.waratahs.com.au/auction, with the proceeds going towards the work AIME, as this week’s match day charity, do in supporting the next generation of Indigenous leaders.

The NSW Waratahs team to take on the Hurricanes in round 16 this Saturday 9 July at Allianz Stadium is below (Super Rugby caps are in brackets). Tickets are available at www.waratahs.com.au/tickets.

1. Paddy Ryan (75 caps)
2. Tatafu Polota-Nau (139 caps)
3. Tom Robertson (11 caps)
4. David Dennis (VC – 105 caps)
5. Will Skelton (51 caps)
6. Dean Mumm (99 caps)
7. Michael Hooper (C –94 caps)
8. Wycliff Palu (132 caps)
9. Nick Phipps (95 caps)
10. Bernard Foley (75 caps)
11. Matt Carraro (53 caps)
12. Rob Horne (100 caps)
13. Israel Folau (58 caps)
14. Taqele Naiyaravoro (21 caps)
15. Andrew Kellaway (9 caps)
Reserves:
16. Hugh Roach (19 caps)
17. Jeremy Tilse (58 caps)
18. Angus Ta’avao (61 caps)
19. Sam Lousi (16 caps)
20. Jack Dempsey (12 caps)
21. Matt Lucas (25 caps)
22. David Horwitz (11 caps)
23. Reece Robinson (11 caps)