Suaalii blow prompts reshuffle for Waratahs’ must-win clash

NSW Waratahs coach Dan McKellar has named a settled side for the team’s must-win round 14 match against the Crusaders at home, although the absence of Wallaby Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii has prompted a reshuffle in the backline.

After an unfortunate incident involving teammate Andrew Kellaway, Suaalii was helped from the field on a stretcher late in the first half during last week’s clash with the Queensland Reds at Sydney’s Allianz Stadium.

The Waratahs revealed on Wednesday that Suaalii will undergo a minor operation for a fractured jaw, only two months out from the first Test between the Wallabies and British & Irish Lions. After the surgery, Suaalii will be reassessed to determine a return to play timeframe.

Without Suaalii, coach McKellar has named an otherwise familiar side, with highly experienced outside back Andrew Kellaway moving to fullback and one-Test Wallaby Darby Lancaster returning to the starting side on the left wing.

“Minimal change … Obviously, is Darby is in and Kells goes back to fullback,” McKellar said in a statement. “But we’ve generally gone for consistency in selection.”

Randwick’s Triston Relly is the other winger, while Joey Walton and Henry O’Donnell will line up in the midfield. Captain Jake Gordon will partner Tane Edmed in the halves, with the fly-half returning to the run-on side last week with an impressive performance against the Reds.

In the forwards, Angus Bell joins David Porecki and Daniel Botha in a formidable front-row trio, while Taniela Tupou will again be called upon to come off the bench. Fergus Lee-Warner and Miles Amatosero are the two locks, while Ben Grant and Hugh Sinclar will come off the pine.

Rob Leota will combine with Charlie Gamble and Langi Gleeson in a solid loose forwards trio, with no specialist backrowers named on the bench. Leota and Gleeson are among the six players farewelling Tahs fans at home in the back-end of the season.

“There were a lot of things we did well last week. I thought our work around the collision was excellent, especially in defence,” McKellar noted.

“But we spent too much time defending. That came down to our inability to execute and get our lineout functioning to the level it was early in the year.

“Off the back of that, we can build momentum and pressure with the ball in hand.”

This match at Allianz Stadium in Sydney will kick-off at 7:35 pm AEST on Friday.

Head-to-Head

Last 5 Meetings

Wins

2

Draws

0

Wins

3

Average Points scored

30

38

First try wins

60%

Home team wins

60%

NSW Waratahs to take on Crusaders

1. Loosehead Prop                           Angus Bell (Sydney University)
2. Hooker                                          David Porecki (Manly)
3. Tighthead Prop                             Daniel Botha (Sydney University)
4. Left Lock                                      Fergus Lee-Warner (Eastern Suburbs)*
5. Right Lock                                    Miles Amatosero (Eastern Suburbs)
6. Left Flanker                                  Rob Leota (Eastern Suburbs)
7. Right Flanker                               Charlie Gamble (Eastern Suburbs)
8. Number Eight                               Langi Gleeson (Manly)
9. Scrumhalf                                    Jake Gordon (C – Sydney University)
10. Flyhalf                                       Tane Edmed (Eastwood)**
11. Left Wing                                   Darby Lancaster (Eastern Suburbs)
12. Inside Centre                            Joey Walton (Gordon)
13. Outside Centre                          Henry O’Donnell (Northern Suburbs)
14. Right Wing                                Triston Reilly (Randwick)
15. Fullback                                    Andrew Kellaway (Randwick)

Replacements
16. Reserve                                     Mahe Vailanu (Gordon)
17. Reserve                                     Tom Lambert (Sydney University)
18. Reserve                                     Taniela Tupou (West Harbour)
19. Reserve                                     Ben Grant (Sydney University)
20. Reserve                                     Hugh Sinclair (Northern Suburbs)
21. Reserve                                     Teddy Wilson (Eastern Suburbs)
22. Reserve                                     Jack Bowen (Eastern Suburbs)
23. Reserve                                     Lalakai Foketi (Manly)