Waratahs to battle Cheetahs without Waugh
Waratahs
Gordon flanker Chris Alcock is set to make his NSW debut after being named in the HSBC Waratahs line-up for their round eight clash with the Cheetahs this Saturday at the Sydney Football Stadium.
Alcock replaces Phil Waugh on the side of the scrum with the NSW skipper succumbing to a quadriceps strain picked up in last weekend’s victory against the Blues. Dean Mumm – who filled in the captaincy role when Waugh was off the field last week – will captain the Tahs for the first time in the Super 14. His only previous match as NSW captain came on the 2006 Development Tour of the UK when he skippered the team to a 39-7 victory over Saracens A.
Ben Mowen also moves into the starting XV in place of Wycliff Palu who is still suffering the effects of a hamstring strain. Uncapped Locky McCaffrey takes Mowen’s place on the bench.
“We came out of the Blues match fairly battered and bruised but we’re putting up a strong side again this weekend against the Cheetahs,” said head coach Chris Hickey. “Phil Waugh is obviously a big loss, however Chris Alcock has been training the house down ever since he joined us after the Shute Shield finished and I’m certain he’ll take this opportunity with both hands.
“Chris was one of the form players for the HSBC Junior Waratahs throughout the ‘A’ program and he’ll certainly be up to the challenge of Super 14.
Hickey added how impressed he was with Mumm’s leadership in the second half of the Blues game and had no hesitation in naming him captain for the Easter Saturday clash.
“Dean was one of the leaders within the squad last season but I think those skills went to another level on the Spring Tour when he captained the Wallabies in two midweek matches,” said Hickey. “He took on the responsibilities of captain easily last weekend and will do a great job on Saturday.”
The match will see prop Al Baxter earn his 100th Super Rugby cap for NSW, going equal third on the all-time list with David Lyons.
Lachie Turner will earn his 50th NSW cap against the Cheetahs, and in doing so will become the youngest player to achieve the milestone. Turner will reach the mark in 22 years 327 days, passing the record set last year by Tatafu Polota-Nau (23 years 259 days).
Waratahs
Team vs Cheetahs
03 Apr 10
10:40
Aussie Stadium
Sydney, Australia
1 Benn Robinson
2 Tatafu Polota-Nau
3 Al Baxter
4 Dean Mumm
5 Kane Douglas
6 David Dennis
7 Chris Alcock
8 Ben Mowen
9 Luke Burgess
10 Daniel Halangahu
11 Drew Mitchell
12 Berrick Barnes
13 Rob Horne
14 Lachlan Turner
15 Kurtley Beale
16 Damien Fitzpatrick
17 Sekope Kepu
18 Will Caldwell
19 Locky McCaffrey
20 Josh Holmes
21 Tom Carter
22 Sosene Anesi
* Captain – Dean Mumm
* Waugh injured – replaced by Alcock
* Mowen in for Palu (hamstring)
[Info from SARugby.com]
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