Waratahs Super rugby head coach Rob Penney has named a team with a number of changes to the side that beat the Force for this weekend’s match against the Brumbies.
The match will be the NSW Waratahs second successive game on home soil and they welcome back Tom Robertson from injury, with Karmichael Hunt and Jack Dempsey also returning to the starting side.
It’s a significant injection of experience for Penney, with Hunt making a successful return from injury off the bench in Round 2.
He’ll partner Joey Walton in midfield, with Alex Newsome shifting to the wing in place of Mark Nawaqnaitawse.
The winger joins a slew of Junior Wallabies on the reserves with Will Harris, Angus Bell, Ben Donaldson and Michael McDonald all on the bench.
It’s an all Sydney University front row in Round 3, with Tom Horton making his first professional start after coming off the bench in the opening two rounds of the competition.
Waratahs
1. Tom Robertson,2. Tom Horton,3. Harry Johnson-Holmes,4. Ned Hanigan,5. Rob Simmons (C) ,6. Lachlan Swinton,7. Michael Hooper,8. Jack Dempsey,9. Mitch Short,10. Will Harrison,11. Alex Newsome (VC),12. Karmichael Hunt,13. Joey Walton,14. James Ramm,15. Jack Maddocks
Replacements: 16. Robbie Abel,17. Tetera Faulkner,18. Angus Bell,19. Tom Staniforth,20. Will Harris,21. Michael McDonald,22. Mark Nawaqanitawase,23. Ben Donaldson
