Wallabies veteran sidelined as Waratahs make changes for Reds clash

Capped Wallabies backrower Pete Samu will miss the rest of the Super Rugby AUS campaign with a scapula injury, which has prompted a change to the NSW Waratahs starting side for the match against the Queensland Reds this weekend.

Coach Lachlan McCaffrey has made two changes to the First XV, with Tom Girle and Isaac Fonua coming into the side. They replace Justice Taumoepeau, who is off on representative duty with the Australia U18 side, and the injured Samu.

Australia U20 prop Edwin Langi has been retained at tighthead, after starting alongside Super Rugby Pacific regulars Tom Lambert and Ethan Dobbins last weekend. The unchanged front row is joined in the tight five by locks Eamon Doyle and Miles Amatosero.

Girle starts at blindside flanker, with Marshall Le Maitre and Isaac Fonua rounding out the loose forwards trio. Angus Scott-Young and Luke Reimer both provide backrow cover off the bench, which includes 10 replacements overall.

In the backs, Teddy Wilson will partner Max Burey in the halves once again. Burey was named the Super Rugby AUS Player of the Tournament in 2025 after helping guide the Western Force to the Grand Final against the Tahs.

George Poolman and Otto Serfontein will combine in the midfield, with Freedom Vahaakolo and Latrell Smiler-Ah Kiong out wide on the wings. Sid Harvey completes the starting side as the first-choice fullback once again.

“Isaac (Fonua) has been impressive over the last 12 months and he gets an opportunity to start. As does Tommy (Girle), who was obviously a big part of Easts winning the Shute Shield,” McCaffrey said.

“He (Girle) will come in at that six-lock position. He’s just a hard-working, tough forward and we watched him over those last probably five, six games of Shute Shield and he was outstanding. It’s nice to give them both an opportunity.

“We came up against a Super Rugby Brumbies backline last weekend and we scored 33 points to seven in the first 40 minutes. I think Otto (Serfontein) in the centres, Latrell (Smiler Ah Kiong) on one wing, Freedom (Vahaakolo) on the other, they didn’t look out of place at all. It was just brilliant to see guys like that get an opportunity and then deliver on that stage.

“All these guys then grow that belief and confidence that they belong at this level. Also for coaches within this building, and other coaches, are thinking they’re a real possibility to become a professional Super Rugby player.

“That is what this competition is about and hopefully we see all these players in a Waratahs Super Rugby jersey at some point moving forward.”

NSW Waratahs to take on Queensland Reds

1. Tom Lambert
2. Ethan Dobbins
3. Edwin Langi
4. Eamon Doyle (c)
5. Miles Amatosero
6. Tom Girle
7. Marshall Le Maitre
8. Isaac Fonua
9. Teddy Wilson
10. Max Burey
11. Freedom Vahaakolo
12. George Poolman
13. Otto Serfontein
14. Latrell Smiler-Ah Kiong
15. Sid Harvey

 Replacements:

16. Tyler Maybery

17. Brady Dawson

18. Will Goddard

19. Joe Mangelsdorf

20. Angus Scott-Young

21. Luke Reimer

22. Angus Grover

23. Joe Dillon

24. Charlie Bird

25. Nick Chan