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Max Jorgensen dropped as injury-hit Waratahs prepare for Hurricanes
Wallaby-in-waiting Max Jorgensen has been left out of the NSW Waratahs’ match-day squad to take on the table-topping Hurricanes with coach Darren Coleman continuing to rotate the outside backs.
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Jorgensen, who didn’t take the field at last year’s Rugby World Cup despite being named in the Wallabies’ squad, makes way for Randwick’s Dylan Pietsch who returns on the left wing.
With the Waratahs sticking with another Randwick wing in Triston Reilly on the right edge, Wallaby Mark Nawaqanitawase has shifted to fullback once again this season.
In another headline-grabbing change by the Waratahs, Will Harrison – who kicked the winning drop goal against the Crusaders in Sydney almost three weeks ago – starts at fly-half.
Harrison has been picked ahead of Tane Edmed, while Fiji rugby league international Vuate Karawalevu is in line to debut at Super Rugby Pacific level off the bench.
“This week provides an opportunity for Will to take control of the team and steer them around from the opening whistle,” coach Coleman said in a statement. “I’m highly interested to see how this plays out.
“In keeping with the back three rotation of late, Max will rotate out of the side, enabling Dylan Pietsch to come back into the starting side. Dulan was great for Randwick last week and deserves his spot.
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“We always wanted to five Vuate an opportunity at some stage this year. He’s been a committed and hard-working member of the squad and this is a good opportunity to see his attributes under the pressure of Super Rugby.”
In the forwards, hulking lock Miles Amatosero and flanker Charlie Gamble have both been moved from the starting side and into the reserves.
Head-to-Head
Last 5 Meetings
Wins
5
Draws
0
Wins
0
Average Points scored
40
25
First try wins
40%
Home team wins
60%
Former Western Force lock Fergus Lee-Warner comes into the run-on side, as does Shute Shield star Hunter Ward at openside flanker.
“Miles and Charlie move to the bench due to a disrupted training week with some niggling injuries which opens the door for Hunter Ward and Fergus Lee-Warner,” Coleman explained.
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“Hunter is a combative and industrious number even who did well with his opportunity against the Blues last year and has been one of the top performers in the Shute Shield this season.”
This Trans-Tasman blockbuster between the Waratahs and Hurricanes at Wellington’s Sky Stadium is scheduled to get underway at 5:05pm AEST on Friday evening.
NSW Waratahs team to take on Hurricanes
- Hayden Thompson-Stringer
- Julian Heaven
- Harry Johnson-Holmes
- Hugh Sinclair
- Fergus Lee-Warner
- Lachlan Swinton
- Hunter Ward
- Langi Gleeson
- Jake Gordon (c)
- Will Harrison
- Dylan Pietsch
- Lalakai Foketi
- Izaia Perese
- Triston Reilly
- Mark Nawaqanitawase
Replacements
- Jay Fonokalafi
- Lewis Ponini
- Brad Amituanai
- Miles Amatosero
- Charlie Gamble
- Jack Grant
- Tane Edmed
- Vuate Karawalevu*
*Denotes potential Super Rugby Pacific debut
Players unavailable: David Porecki, Thomas Lambert, Archer Holz, Mesu Kunavula, Ned Slack-Smith, Daniel Botha, Mahe Vailanu, Angus Bell, Theo Fourie, Joey Walton, Ned Hanigan, Tom Ross, Jed Holloway
Comments on RugbyPass
Ahh too many OK 7’s out there at the moment, would have loved to have Harmon (and Boshier from Panasonic) included on that list (although I don’t know what I’m looking at with those stats!). I would love to see another 7 come through like Cane (who VdF has molded off), who was a real attacking machine before his neck injury and inability to turn his head/upper body to pass or catch properly forced his style to change. No sure McReight is it, he looks more like a canny McCaw than the blasters Hooper and Cane were. The real issue is what use can Schmidt mold out of his ability and skills in just two short seasons. I think Cale could do a lot of the more skillful stuff. McReight is probably best to knuckle down and do the core duties a modern day Cane performs for the other two loosies (if he’s the best Schmidt has to play with at 7).
43 Go to commentsI’ve little doubt that England is comfortably the No 1 team and not only beat other teams but beat them easily. Not so sure about France. They should be No 2 after winning 3 of last 4 matches against NZ and only a straightforward missed kick prevented it from being 4 out of 4. However, then they inexplicably lost to Canada and Wallaroos in WXV. I thought the NZ match was their “cup final” and they took the others lightly, but they were not particularly impressive in 6N except in flashes. I think they have stood still whilst Canada and England have moved forward but I don't think Canada has the depth and their team is ageing. I agree NZ not moving forward. What will be interesting is how the Wallaroos fare against NZ and then again in their September match against Ireland and then in WXV2 against other 6N teams. I was surprised they lost to USA.
3 Go to commentsI don't know why peoplenare upset here. If foreign fans think they are poor for their clubs and back it up with stats then it's probably true. Snyman would have been a legend in the NH if he was fit though. He just transforms Munster into a winning machine. Pollard is 100% the most disappointing one and his win rate outside world cups gives a good indicator. For all his clubs his average win rate is around 52%, inbetween world cups for the Boks it's 55%. Compared to other elite flyhalves who have 70%+ win rates for their clubs. If anything Manie is a far better investment if you looking for a flyhalf given that when he is on the pitch teams on average win 76% of games.
44 Go to commentsWhich captains were not human?
2 Go to commentsIt left him open to savage sledging most memorably POMs ‘Sh1t McCaw’ comment which prompted a national NZ meltdown. Cane was later substituted in that game. He had some redemption in the RWC quartfinal against Ireland but unfortunately he will be remembered for torpedo-ing his team with that red card in the final with NZ already 12-3 down.
2 Go to commentsThere should be a smaller number of teams cut off to play finals after the regular season, of course. However, with all due respect, the Crusaders aren’t playing well enough to even make that cut. They may have a late rally, if they can get some key players back from injury, but this is still a speculation as it stands. They will still have to rely on other results going their way too - their season is now entirely out of their control.
10 Go to comments1 week for two cynical and dirty plays? Absolutely pathetic punishment. He should’ve at least received 2 weeks - 1 week per trip. The guy is a cheating moron and liability. He should go back to league.
2 Go to commentsTest rugby is different level Some players are just big time players when the stakes are high they play better. The boks often lost to AUS on tour as they wanted to beat AB. Even at school level this is the case where some guys play better in tough games.
44 Go to commentsLet’s hope he misses more than just the Force game or the Reds won’t get very far in the finals.
2 Go to commentsThanks Nick. I’m looking at the other 7 options in Australia and they don’t seem to be close behind Fraser at the moment? Even before reading this I thought he was well ahead. A random one - Slipper and Allalatoa seem to be getting well beaten in the scrum. I can’t remember this happening often before. Is it a technique/teamwork issue or are their bodies finally past it?
43 Go to commentsNZ is now entrenched in Div 2 of womens rugby. Canada would be thrashed by the likes of France or England. Europe are Div 1, with massive competitions, massive money…
3 Go to commentsBlackadder dies not deserve selection. He has not played enough games. Finau is just better. Kaino's replacement at Blindside On form TJ should be the starting 9 .
130 Go to commentsThe difference is Cotter..
6 Go to commentsThey can’t handle the level of comp in the NH. Pollard was a complete waste at Montpellier - and was the backup 12 when he left. Kitschoff was stealing his paycheque every week at Ulster,- getting absolutely rinsed by backup THs in the URC. There is a reason all the Boks go to Japan - they don’t have it in them to be able to compete. And yes, they won the RWC. Where Barnes and O'Keeffe were the direct reason for that tragedy occurring.
44 Go to commentsTrouble with Jones is he has so many impractical innovations. Kemeney wasn't good enough in any position for top level test rugby. I like how Vern has Papalii playing. He's always had the workrate when in form, although I'm not sure that he quite has Cane's mongrel.
43 Go to commentsPut those results on the old CV and send it in to the crusaders bro.
1 Go to commentsJust go with a top 6 system where the top 2 teams go straight to the semi-finals and the other 4 teams fight it out for the other 2 semi-final spots.
10 Go to commentsIt’s a shame that Baxter wasn’t nominated for DoR of the season. what he did is more impressive than McCall imo
1 Go to commentsSeveral boks said during World Cup they play so hard to give people back home hope. As an Englishman the Springboks Captain’s life story is an inspiration which should give us all hope and inspiration. Rather like that other great South African, Nelson Mandela
44 Go to commentsFox News, Tucker Carlson, Jordan Peterson and Joe Rogan? Yikes.
1 Go to comments