1 week ago
7
Here are the teams and match officials. There are no changes.
WARATAHS (1-15): Tom Lambert, Ethan Dobbins, Dan Botha, Matt Philip (c), Miles Amatosero, Clem Halaholo, Charlie Gamble, Pete Samu, Jake Gordon, Lawson Creighton, Max Jorgensen, Joey Walton, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Harry Potter, James Hendren
Replacements: Folau Fainga’a, Isaac Kailea, Siosifa Amone, Angus Blyth, Leafi Talataina, Teddy Wilson, Jack Debreczeni, Triston Reilly
REDS (1-15): Aidan Ross, Matt Faessler, Zane Nonggorr, Josh Canham, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Joe Brial, Fraser McReight (c), Vaiuta Latu, Louis Werchon, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Tim Ryan, Hunter Paisami, Josh Flook, Lachie Anderson, Jock Campbell
Replacements: Richie Asiata, George Blake, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Seru Uru, John Bryant, James Martens, Finn Mackay, Xavier Rubens
Referee: Paul Williams
Assistant Referees: Angus Mabey, Michael Winter
TMO: Graham Cooper
The Waratahs and Reds have had pretty different pre-seasons, as far as form and injuries.
The Tahs won both their trials pretty well, over the Reds and the Brumbies, and they’ve come into round one without any real injury problems.
Dan McKellar had such a healthy squad, he has left out Wallaby incumbent Andrew Kellaway, and other regular starters from previous seasons are also not in the 23-man squad.
The only headache was the fight between Miles Amatosero and Angus Scott-Young, which saw the former miss two weeks of training and trials. But Amatosero has come straight back into the starting side at lock. He’llit, nothing surer.
The Tahs have rewarded form and effort seen since the last season ended last year, with Clem Halaholo and Jimmy Hendren both making debuts at no.6 and no.15 respectively. Both had great summers, particularly in the Super AUS competiton.
The Tahs will also have Super Rugby debuts in Waratahs’ colours for six others: Matt Philip, Pete Samu, Harry Potter, Angus Blyth, Folau Faingaa and Jack Debreczeni.
The Reds have seven Wallabies injured, including Harry Wilson, and Tate McDermott and Carter Gordon in the halves. Louis Werchon and Harry McLaughlin-Phillips will be the game managers tonight, and you can expect them to come under plenty of pressure.
