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Mark Nawaqanitawase dropped as Waratahs look to beat Crusaders again
Wallabies wing Mark Nawaqanitawase has been dropped for the Waratahs’ upcoming clash with the Crusaders in Sydney, with Randwick’s Triston Reilly getting the nod in the No. 14 jumper.
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Reilly, 25, has scored one try in four appearances for the Waratahs this season. The winger’s one five-pointer came in the round two 37-24 win over the Crusaders in Melbourne.
The Waratahs, who are currently sit third-last with a 1-6 record after seven rounds, will be desperate to repeat their earlier season heroics when they take the field at Sydney’s Allianz Stadium on Friday.
“Triston deserves his chance. We all saw what he did against the Crusaders last time,” head coach Darren Coleman said.
“He missed out for a couple of weeks there, but he took it in the right way. He went back and worked hard on his game, stayed positive and played really well for Randwick on the weekend in the Shute Shield.
“His effort areas like kick-chase and defence are really strong and I’m looking forward to what he can provide us this weekend.
“It’s been a big headache in our backline but a good headache to have. This week we have all of our contracted backs available which is unheard of. As a result, we’ve got some good players missing out.”
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In another big change for the Tahs, the New South Welshman have welcomed Wallaby Ned Hanigan back into their starting side. Hanigan is back in the mix after recovering from a knee injury.
Hanigan joins fellow Australia international Jed Holloway in the second-row, while Fergus Lee-Warner drops out of the starting side and onto the bench.
Head-to-Head
Last 5 Meetings
Wins
3
Draws
0
Wins
2
Average Points scored
30
36
First try wins
40%
Home team wins
60%
“It’s great to have Ned back,” Coleman explained. “He was one of our better performers prior to his knee issue.
“You just get wholehearted energy from Ned. He’s such a good all-rounder. He’s got a good carry, good in the ruck, and sharp in the lineout. He really cares about the team, so we’re excited to have Ned back.
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“Langi is also another welcome addition to the side this week and has proven how valuable he can be in Super Rugby and at international level.”
Looking to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of their 2014 championship win over the Crusaders in style, the Waratahs have named a strong side to take on the on the 1-5 Crusaders.
Hayden Thompson-Stringer, Julian Heaven and Harry Johnson-Holmes will pack down in the front-row, while Holloway and Hanigan round out the tight five.
In what could be the Waratahs’ strongest positional group, coach Coleman has picked Lachlan Swinton, Charlie Gamble and Langi Gleeson in the loose forwards.
Captain Jake Gordon joins Tane Edmed in the halves once again, while Wallabies duo Lalakai Foketi and Izaia Perese will link up in the halves – just as they did during last year’s Rugby World Cup.
Joining Triton Reilly in the outside backs is 2023 Wallabies squad member Dylan Pietsch and fullback Max Jorgensen.
This Trans-Tasman blockbuster at Sydney’s Allianz Stadium is scheduled to get underway at :35 pm EST on Friday evening.
NSW Waratahs to take on Crusaders
- Hayden Thompson-Stringer
- Julian Heaven
- Harry Johnson-Holmes
- Jed Holloway
- Ned Hanigan
- Lachlan Swinton
- Charlie Gamble
- Langi Gleeson
- Jake Gordon (c)
- Tane Edmed
- Dylan Pietsch
- Lalakai Foketi
- Izaia Perese
- Triston Reilly
- Max Jorgensen
Replacements
- Theo Fourie
- Lewis Ponini*
- Tom Ross
- Miles Amatosero
- Hugh Sinclair
- Jack Grant
- Will Harrison
- Joey Walton
*Denotes potential Super Rugby Pacific debut
Unavailable David Porecki (Achilles), Thomas Lambert (knee), Archer Holz (shoulder), Mesu Kunavula (knee), Ned Slack-Smith (concussion), Daniel Botha (Achilles), Mahe Vailanu (knee), Angus Bell (toe)
Comments on RugbyPass
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1 Go to commentsPoetic justice for trying to sell him to Australia as another kiwi saviour coach, not ! Deans was just as bad actually but McCaw and Carter covered up for him. That’s why they didn’t want him as All Black coach, even after Graeme Henry’s bumbling effort in 2007.
2 Go to commentsSACK HIM !
2 Go to commentsSafas are so triggered by Ireland. 3 consecutive losses, incl RWC. 8 losses out of last 12 Tests. Always excuses, of course, with Bok fans. Now Rassie with his “88%” nonsense, the Claytons Excuse is an embarrassment to Bok teams of the past when every test mattered. Their fickle mojo will be on edge for the Ireland tour. Have the referees been appointed yet ? They will need security. Have WR laid out strict guidelines for TMO’s and replays on the stadium screens ? Will the constant stoppages from Bok forwards for cramps and bootlaces be tolerated ? We’re not talking a dominant Springbok team here, they won the LOTTO Cup and they know it whether they admit it or not. The Disney doco has their fans positively fermenting internally, its going to be a nasty hangover if they get beaten on home soil. What will the excuses be then……
92 Go to commentsGreat role model.
2 Go to commentsOne significant tell, not a single Waratahs player stopped to whinge to the ref about Finau’s tackle. They got on with playing the game. Great tackle.
8 Go to commentsWouldn’t be a bad move if Ireland pulled into SA with a young side. Particularly in Pretoria. Invaluable experience getting thumped in the bosveld.
92 Go to commentsIreland. The Princess Diana of Rugby. I never cheered so much for a team as i did for the All Blacks in that QF.
92 Go to commentsWill be great to see the Leinster first XV back in action again after their cotton wool time…
1 Go to commentsLooked up Grant Constable on google and reply was doppelgänger for Ben Smith
92 Go to commentsIt is so good that we now all get excited and debate who is best and emotionally get involved. We all back our teams which is great. Up until about 15-20 years ago, NZ was basically on its own, and then Saffa, Aussie and sometimes French and English were there. We now have at least 5-6 really top sides and another 4 who keep improving. This is so healthy. So we should not resort to rubbish comments and unhealthy debate, but rather all be chuffed that the product we watch is not competitive, exciting and often uncertain. It would be so good if World Rugger could find a way to align the rules to professional players as well as spectators. Live rugby games are SO boring as there is SO much down time as we wait for refs and TMOs and whoever else to look at every small event going back endless phases with the hope of eventually find a minute infringement to then decide cancel what was a wonderful try. This is the ultimate cork back in the bottle moment and feels like every balloon is always being popped. Come on- we must be better with the rules.
92 Go to comments“upon leaving said establishment I tripped over a stool knocking some bottles into the air and as I fell I accidently dislodged a police officer’s teaser who was passing by on an unrelated matter there by landing on said taser which caused it to discharge 50,000 watts into me. Out of shock I shouted Ireland are going to win the world cup. Upon waking up I apologised for the distress caused by my Ireland comment. The matter is closed. If you wish to pursue this matter may I remind you what I told Wayne Barnes when he sent me off. I AM A BIG ASS MAN”. Or was it “I AM A BIG ASS, MAN” or was it “I AM A BIG ASSMAN”?
2 Go to commentsThe only championship the Boks hold are: Great value for the incompetence of referees during the RWC Moaning endlessly and champions of spewing utterly ignorant 💩 at all times. Displaying the dangers of a third world education End of.
92 Go to commentsSouth Africa and Rassie do a phenomenal job of treating the 4 years in between World Cups as nothing more than a training exercise to build squad depth. The Six Nations money that keeps Irish rugby afloat is unfortunately too important to allow the same approach, and basic population size means we'll never get close to matching the depth of South Africa, England and France. That being said, Irish rugby is in a relatively good place and slowly improving inch by inch. If the other three provinces can pull the finger out and actually develop some players it'd be even better.
92 Go to commentsGood on Clarke for taking on the criticism and addressing his deficiencies, principally his laziness.
2 Go to comments“It is the people’s favourite against the actual favourite. It is the people’s champions against the actual champions. I’m joking, but it’s going to be a fantastic series.” Why did Darcy make that joke knowing it would be used as click bait? Why did RP headline it as a serious comment? Anyway, the tired comment isn’t very astute. SA players may have played more games etc. Darcy over estimated as a pundit.
92 Go to commentsNot sure Frisch will ever make the French team with Depoortère and Costes waiting in the wings to take over from Danty and Fickou.
1 Go to commentsThe Irish are tired and the Boks are old. The test series won't confirm who is best in the world, it will confirm which team needs to pursue the task of rebuilding with the most urgency.
92 Go to commentsGrant, the first time I have seen an article written by you. Maybe I have missed your previous stuff. These days all professional players effectively play a common season so all top players are equally tired, or rested. That is the job of the coaching ticket to build squad depth and juggle resources so players are ‘ fresh’ when the big games come. Possibly Ireland are less inclined to juggle squad compared to Rassie, who is prepared to take the risk to rest players as well as build depth throughout the year so come WC he has a full squad, experienced and rested enough to win 7 games. After all, to win WC you need to get through the tournament and then win the final big 3 games. Ireland should try and build a bit so come final 3 they are ready. So far only played final 1(QF). I am so looking forward to the Irish tour. Hopefully Rassie has enough time to align his guys, as he draws them from across the globe, and not from 2 sides locally( eg Leinster, Munster). No excuses, going to be exciting.
92 Go to commentsIn football, teams get fined and sometimes docked points for deliberately fielding weakened teams yet Leinster can pretty much do as they please with no comebacks. Could it be because Ireland run the URC? Could it be that Ireland run the ERC? Whichever it is, it stinks!!
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