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Rising star Max Jorgensen set to start at fullback vs Hurricanes
Teenage sensation Max Jorgensen will start at fullback for the Waratahs when they take on the Hurricanes in Wellington this Friday.
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Jorgensen returns to the startling line up after missing the Tahs’ tough 34-27 loss to Australian rivals the Melbourne Rebels in round three.
But the 18-year-old, who scored three tries in his first two Super Rugby games, is set for a new challenge at Sky Stadium after being handed a start in the No. 15 jumper.
The Waratahs have made six changes to their first XV ahead of Friday night’s Trans-Tasman derby against the Canes at the ‘Cake Tin’.
After returning from injury against the Rebels, Australian international Harry Johnson-Holmes has been promoted to the starting side.
Johnson-Holmes will pack down in the front row alongside Tom Lambert and Mahe Vailanu.
Both Hugh Sinclair and Jed Holloway – last weekend’s starting locks – are set to miss the round four blockbuster, which has led to a reshuffle.
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Wallaby Ned Hanigan is set to don sky blue for the first time in Super Rugby Pacific this season, and will combine with Taleni Seu in the second row.
Flanker Charlie Gamble is the only other change to the backrow after impressing off the bench in the loss to the Rebels.
Gamble replaces Waratahs enforcer Lachlan Swinton in the starting team, with the former Wallaby having been relegated to bench.
“It’s exciting to have Harry Johnson-Holmes back in the starting team, he got through his minutes last week with no issues, which is a positive for our team,” coach Darren Coleman said in a statement.
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“We’ve had some forced changes in the second row which opens positions in the starting team for Ned Hanigan and Taleni Seu who has been dynamic for us off the bench.
“Swinton has played in the past three games as well as two trial matches, and to give him a break, he will be rotated this week.
“Charlie Gamble will be starting at six and we’re expecting him to be fired up in his first start since round one.”
Utility back Ben Donaldson has been handed the playmaking reigns this week as he moves into first five from fullback. Donaldson will partner captain Jake Gordon in the halves.
As for the rest of the backline, Lalakai Foketi will run out alongside Izaia Perese in the midfield.
Wallaby Mark Nawaqanitawase has been named on the right wing, will Fijian international Nemani Nadolo has been named on the left. Rising star Max Jorgensen will play fullback.
Tane Edmed has “performed solidly” this season, but is set to provide some impact off the bench this week.
“Max Jorgensen’s return enables us to look at a change at number 10,” Coleman added.
“We’re comfortable with Tane’s performance this season, he’s performed solidly, we’re just looking to see if Ben Donaldson in his more natural position at 10 can add another dimension to our attack.”
Waratahs team to take on the Hurricanes
- Tom Lambert
- Mahe Vailanu
- Harry Johnson-Holmes
- Ned Hanigan
- Taleni Seu
- Charlie Gamble
- Michael Hooper
- Langi Gleeson
- Jake Gordon
- Ben Donaldson
- Nemani Nadolo
- Lalakai Foketi
- Izaia Perese
- Mark Nawaqanitawase
- Max Jorgensen
Replacements:
- Tolu Latu
- Sateki Latu
- Daniel Botha
- Lachlan Swinton
- Will Harris
- Harrison Goddard
- Tane Edmed
- Mosese Tuipulotu
Unavailable: Angus Bell, David Porecki, Dylan Pietsch, Hugh Sinclair, Te Tera Fauklner, Tiaan Tauakipulu, Will Harrison
Comments on RugbyPass
Wasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
3 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
3 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 …
30 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
3 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!😭😭😭 !!!
30 Go to commentsYup. New Zealand won 3 out of 10 world cups played. SA 4 out of 8 attempts 30 Vs 50 per cent.🤔🤔
30 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.
30 Go to commentsHow is 7’s played there? I’m surprised 10 or 11 man rugby hasn’t taken off. 7 just doesn’t fit the 15s dynamics (rules n field etc) but these other versions do.
9 Go to commentsPick Swinton at your peril A liability just like JWH from the Roosters Skelton ??? went missing at RWC
14 Go to commentsLike tennis, who have a ranking system, and I believe rugby too, just measure over each period preceding a world cup event who was the longest number one and that would be it. In tennis the number one player frequently is not the grand slam winner. I love and adore the All Blacks since the days of Ian Kirkpatrick when I was a kid in SA. And still do because they are the masters of running rugby and are gentleman on and off the field - in general. And in my opinion they have been the majority of the time the best rugby team in the world.
30 Go to comments