NSW Waratahs team announced for away trial against the Brumbies

Feb 4 • General News, Super Rugby • 1174 Views • Comments Off on NSW Waratahs team announced for away trial against the Brumbies

NSW Waratahs Head Coach, Daryl Gibson has today named his side for the opening pre-season trial match against the Brumbies at Wagga Wagga this Saturday night.

The 26-man touring party features a range of Super Rugby experience and a huge line-up of home-grown NSW talent, including 11 uncapped Super Rugby players.

In what will be the first taste of the Waratahs’ exciting backline prospects in 2016, former All Black, Zac Guildford will step into fullback, with ex-NRL star, Reece Robinson slotting into the right wing and reliable performer, Matt Carraro at outside centre.

A quartet of local uncapped talent make up the rest of the backs. Andrew Deegan will try his hand orchestrating at flyhalf with fellow NSW born teammates, Jake Gordon at scrumhalf, Andrew Kellaway on the left wing and David Horwitz at inside centre.

Powerful lock, Will Skelton returns for his first game following injury, joining experienced Waratahs’ leaders, Paddy Ryan, Jeremy Tilse and Dave Dennis, who will Captain the side this weekend.

A number of young forwards have also been handed the chance to show their abilities against the Waratahs’ Aussie rivals.

Hugh Roach completes the front row, while hard-hitting flanker, Jack Dempsey, and number eight Jed Holloway will complement uncapped NSW country-born lock, Ned Hanigan.

Recent signings, Bryce Hegarty and Matt Lucas join a reserves bench equally filled with potential, and featuring the NSW Waratahs’ most experienced player, Benn Robinson, Tolu Latu and 2015 signing from the Auckland Blues, Angus Ta’avao.

Gibson said this weekend’s first trial will be a great opportunity for the younger players to advance their skills ahead of the 2016 season.

“This will be the first chance for the players selected to compete for spots this year so it will be good to see how they step up and handle a real-game situation,” Gibson said.

“I’m interested to see how the combinations work too.

“The squad has trained really hard across pre-season so we’re looking forward to playing our first game in earnest.”

The NSW Waratahs team to play the Brumbies this Saturday at McDonald’s Park, Wagga Wagga this Saturday 6 February:

1. Jeremy Tilse
2. Hugh Roach
3. Paddy Ryan
4. Ned Hanigan
5. Will Skelton
6. David Dennis (C)
7. Jack Dempsey
8. Jed Holloway
9. Jake Gordon
10. Andrew Deegan
11. Andrew Kellaway
12. David Horwitz
13. Matt Carraro
14. Reece Robinson
15. Zac Guildford
Reserves:
16. Tolu Latu
17. Benn Robinson
18. Angus Ta’avao
19. Matt Sandell
20. Senio Toleafoa
21. Matt Lucas
22. Harry Jones
23. Bryce Hegarty
24. Brad Wilkin
25. Cameron Orr
26. Rowan Perry