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Nawaqanitawase in doubt for Waratahs' Super Round clash
Sydney Roosters-bound winger Mark Nawaqanitawase is in doubt for the NSW Waratahs’ crunch match with the benchmark Crusaders as a batch of Australian stars return for Super Rugby’s Super Round in Melbourne.
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Waratahs coach Darren Coleman has revealed Nawaqanitawase had suffered a hamstring strain at training and is doubtful to Saturday night’s showdown with the defending champions at AAMI Park.
“He is having scans and receiving treatment, and we will give him until later in the week to prove his fitness,” Coleman said on Wednesday.
“We’re fortunate that Triston Reilly has successfully recovered from his ankle injury, and he will come into the starting side if Mark is unable to play.”
Nawaqanitawase was one of the few bright spots in an otherwise lacklustre display from the Waratahs in their season-opening 40-22 loss to Queensland.
The X-factor attacker set up a try and posed a constant threat to the Reds.
With Wallabies teammate Izaia Perese already ruled out because of concussion protocols, Coleman can hardly losing Nawaqanitawase when his side takes on a Crusaders outfit also coming off a loss and coached by Waratahs discard Rob Penny.
Penny was unceremoniously shown the door after NSW’s historic winless 2021 season and will surely be plotting revenge.
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In better news for the Waratahs, key forwards Hugh Sinclair and Ned Hanigan will make comebacks from injury.
The return of 2022 Wallaby Jock Campbell, meanwhile, is the lone change to Queensland’s starting side looking to bust an 11-year hoodoo against the Hurricanes on Sunday.
Reds coach Les Kiss somewhat contentiously couldn’t find a place for Campbell last weekend but has named the fullback on the wing in place of Mac Grealy as they chase a first win over the Hurricanes in more than a decade.
“Jock gets his chance this weekend after his brilliant form in the trials. This is an opportunity for me to see him as a winger,” Kiss said.
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“It’s great to have such riches in the backline.”
The Western Force will welcome back captain Jeremy Williams for Friday night’s derby against the Melbourne Rebels.
In one of three changes, the newly-appointed skipper returns to lead the Force for the first time after missing round one with concussion to boost the side’s lock stocks.
Feleti Kaitu’u and Ryan Coxon have also been added to the 23-man team, with the suspended Marley Pearce, plus Titi Nofoagatotoa and Ben Funnell out of the side that lost to the Hurricanes.
Rebels coach Kevin Foote has made five changes, including promoting 51-Test Wallaby Taniela Tupou and hooker Alex Mafi move to the starting front row.
After bringing spark off the bench in a disappointing 30-3 loss to the Brumbies last week, James Tuttle will get his first start for the ’24 season at halfback while Matt Proctor makes his debut for the Rebels at outside centre with Filipo Daugunu shifting to the wing.
Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham has made just one tweak to his side to face the Chiefs on Sunday, with prop Sosefo Kautai named to start.
Waratahs team to play the Crusaders:
1. Angus Bell
2. Mahe Vailanu
3. Harry Johnson-Holmes
4. Jed Holloway
5. Hugh Sinclair
6. Fergus Lee-Warner
7. Charlie Gamble
8. Langi Gleeson
9. Jake Gordon ©
10. Tane Edmed
11. Dylan Pietsch
12. Joey Walton
13. Harry Wilson
14. Mark Nawaqanitawase
15. Max Jorgensen
Reserves
16. Julian Heaven**
17. Hayden Thompson-Stringer
18. Daniel Botha
19. Miles Amatosero
20. Ned Hanigan
21. Teddy Wilson
22. Mosese Tuipulotu
23. Triston Reilly
Comments on RugbyPass
Why cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
3 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
31 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
3 Go to commentsI don't know how the locals feel about that? I guess if you call yourselves the Worcester Wasps that might be appease. But really we need more teams in the Premiership in my view so they are not padding it out as they are at the moment. It might curtail so many players going abroad as well
5 Go to commentsNZ 😭😭😭is certainly rivaling England for best whingers cup!😭😭😭 !!!
31 Go to commentsYup. New Zealand won 3 out of 10 world cups played. SA 4 out of 8 attempts 30 Vs 50 per cent.🤔🤔
31 Go to commentsShould've done this years ago. Change Saturday kick off times to around 11am. Up and off and back home before 3pm, limit travel time too. Allows players to actually do something else with their Saturday that's family oriented or being rugby fans they could ‘watch’ pro rugby. Increases crowds etc. How can anyone that enjoys grassroots and pro rugby have to choose between the two on Saturdays?
9 Go to commentsI bet he inspired those supporters just as much.
1 Go to commentsBen Smith Springboks living rent free in his head 😊😂
67 Go to commentsGood to hear he would like to play the game at the highest level, I hadn’t been to sure how much of a motivator that was before now. Sadly he’s probably chosen the rugby club to go to. Try not to worry about all the input about how you should play rugby Joey and just try to emulate what you do on the league field and have fun. You’ll limit your game too much (well not really because he’s a standard athlete like SBW and he’ll still have enough) if you’re trying to make sure you can recycle the ball back etc. On the other hard, you can totally just try and recycle by looking to offload any and everywhere if you’re going to ground 😋
1 Go to commentsThis just proves that theres always a stat and a metric to use to justify your abilities and your success. Ben did it last week by creating an imaginary competition and now you did the same to counter his argument and espouse a new yardstick for success. Why not just use the current one and lets say the Boks have won 4 world cups making them the most successful world cup team. Outside of the world cup the All Blacks are the most successful team winning countless rugby championships and dominating the rankings with high win percentages. Over the last 4 years statistically the Irish are the best having the highest win rate and also having positive records against every tier 1 side. The most successful Northern team in the game has been England with a world cup title and the most six nations titles in history. The AB’s are the most dominant team in history with the highest win rate and 3 world cups. Lets not try to reinvent the wheel. Just be honest about the actual stats and what each team has been good at doing and that will be enough to define their level of success.
31 Go to comments