Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii back to face Zac Lomax in crucial Super Rugby derby

Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii is back to take Zac Lomax and the Western Force in a crucial Australian derby at Sydney’s Allianz Stadium, as both sides look to remain in the race for finals football, with only a handful of rounds left.

Following their 15-point defeat to the Crusaders in Super Round, the Waratahs sit in eighth place ahead of a tough run home in the regular season. New South Wales still have away matches against the Highlanders, Fijian Drua and Force to play over the coming weeks.

As for the Force, they’re coming off a bye week, but sit second-last on the ladder with five matches left in the round-robin. The Force have a two-game road trip against the Tahs and Brumbies before returning home to face the Queensland Reds.

Zac Lomax has been named in the Force’s First XV, starting in the back three along with Dylan Pietsch and Mac Grealy. But the Waratahs have selected a fairly strong side themselves, which includes the return of former NRL star Suaalii.

“Joseph has had a good stint in rehab, he’s in superb condition so the strength and conditioning and the physio staff have done a great job,” coach Dan McKellar said.

“They’ve made sure that he returns ready to perform and not just ready to play.

“It’s great for the game (Suaalii v Lomax). Zac’s an exceptional footballer, he’s had a very good career in the NRL and it’s great that he’s now playing rugby union. I think his skillset suits the game and to get a match-up between him and Joseph, how often they actually come face to face is probably rare.

“It’s good for the fans and certainly the media to get excited by and it just builds that little bit more interest. That’s what we want.”

Suaalii starts at outside centre, linking up with Joey Walton in the midfield. They’ll play outside the halves combination of Jake Gordon and Lawson Creighton, with Super Rugby veteran Jack Debreczeni shifting to the bench.

Super Rugby Pacific Rookie of the Year leader Sid Harvey has been retained on the left wing, with Andrew Kellaway starting on the right. Max Jorgensen is set to line up at fullback for the second time in many matches.

Fixture

Super Rugby Pacific

Waratahs

02:35

1 May 26

Force

All Stats and Data

In the forwards, McKellar has gone with the same backrow trio that faced the Crusaders at One New Zealand Stadium. Angus Scott-Young and Charlie Gamble are the flankers, while ‘Pistol’ Pete Samu will pack down at No. 8.

Matt Philip and Angus Blyth are the two locks, while Tom Lambert and Ethan Dobbins return to the run-on side. Those two join Siosifa Amone up front, while Folau Faingaa and Isaac Kailea move back to the replacements.

NSW Waratahs to take on Western Force

1. Tom Lambert
2. Ethan Dobbins
3. Siosifa Amone
4. Matt Philip ©
5. Angus Blyth
6. Angus Scott-Young
7. Charlie Gamble
8. Pete Samu
9. Jake Gordon
10. Lawson Creighton
11. Sid Harvey
12. Joey Walton
13. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii
14. Andrew Kellaway
15. Max Jorgensen

Replacements: 

16. Folau Faingaa

17. Isaac Kailea

18. Apolosi Ranawai*

19. Miles Amatosero

20. Jamie Adamson

21. Teddy Wilson

22. Jack Debreczeni

23. Triston Reilly

*in line for debut