Test hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau will make his return to Super Rugby this Saturday when the NSW Waratahs take on the Lions.
Polota-Nau will bring his physical game to the Sydney Football Stadium having missed the round 12 victory over the Western Force and more time resting through last week’s bye.
His appearance on Saturday will be three weeks from the match with the Melbourne Rebels in which he was forced to leave the field after suffering a head knock.
Saturday’s match also sees the return of Damien Fitzpatrick as the reserve hooker.
Fitzpatrick was forced out of the round eight clash with the Western Force after injuring his knee in the captain’s run the day before the match.
He has spent the past six weeks on the sideline and replaces John Ulugia who performed strongly in the absence of Polota-Nau and Fitzpatrick.
Pat McCutcheon has joined Phil Waugh on the sidelines after injuring his ankle in the final play of the NSW Waratahs’ last match against the Force.
His injury sees Chris Alcock move from the bench and into the starting XV.
The backrow place on the bench will be filled by Eastwood captain Hugh Perrett (profile below) who could make his Super Rugby debut almost six years after earning his first state cap against Auckland.
Head coach Chris Hickey said that despite more injury-enforced changes he is confident the NSW Waratahs can turn in an impressive display against the Lions.
“It seems to be the story of our season that even if we win there’s a price to pay and last time around that price was Pat McCutcheon,” said Hickey. “That said, Chris Alcock is more than capable of filling in and Hugh Perrett gets an opportunity that is probably well overdue.
“To have Tatafu back this week is great news. There are some players that bring a unique skill set or irreplaceable quality to a team and Tatafu is certainly one of those players.”
Hickey said that continuity in the backline was starting to show good signs with all indicators pointing to a strong attacking game against the Lions.
“We’ve had to chop and change a lot this year in the backline with Drew Mitchell, Rob Horne and Berrick Barnes all out at various times,” said Hickey. We have had talented players moving in and out of the backline all year but this will be the third match in a row with this combination and that consistency will be a key.
“The forecast is fairly clear right through to Saturday and given the way the Lions played against the Brumbies last week I think fans can expect an exciting game on Saturday.”
Players will be added to the match-day 22 to form a provisional South African touring party that will be announced later this week. The touring party will be confirmed following Saturday night’s match.
NSW Waratahs: 1 Benn Robinson, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 3 Sekope Kepu, 4 Dean Mumm (c), 5 Sitaleki Timani, 6 Dave Dennis, 7 Chris Alcock, 8 Ben Mowen, 9 Luke Burgess, 10 Berrick Barnes, 11 Sosene Anesi, 12 Tom Carter, 13 Ryan Cross, 14 Lachie Turner, 15 Kurtley Beale. Reserves: 16 Damien, 17 Al Baxter, 18 Kane Douglas, 19 Hugh Perrett, 20 Brendan McKibbin, 21 Daniel Halangahu, 22 Tom Kingston.
2011 Super Rugby Season - Round 14:
NSW Waratahs vs Lions
Sydney Football Stadium
Saturday night, May 21
Kick-off: 7:40pm (AEST).
Live coverage available on Fox Sports from 7:30pm (AEST). Check local guides for more information. Tickets are now on sale starting at just $20 for adults and $10 for kids.
Fans can also purchase a Two-Game Super Pass to the next two matches at the SFS against the Lions this weekend and then the Highlanders on June 11. Passes start at just $35 for adults and $20 for kids.
Saturday’s clash with the Lions will celebrate rugby in the bush with a ‘Country Party’. The curtain raiser will feature the NSW Country Cockatoos taking on the NSW Suburban rep team for the inaugural Maher-Ross Cup, while there will be a number of other country-themed activities and events surrounding the match.
Polota-Nau will bring his physical game to the Sydney Football Stadium having missed the round 12 victory over the Western Force and more time resting through last week’s bye.
His appearance on Saturday will be three weeks from the match with the Melbourne Rebels in which he was forced to leave the field after suffering a head knock.
Saturday’s match also sees the return of Damien Fitzpatrick as the reserve hooker.
Fitzpatrick was forced out of the round eight clash with the Western Force after injuring his knee in the captain’s run the day before the match.
He has spent the past six weeks on the sideline and replaces John Ulugia who performed strongly in the absence of Polota-Nau and Fitzpatrick.
Pat McCutcheon has joined Phil Waugh on the sidelines after injuring his ankle in the final play of the NSW Waratahs’ last match against the Force.
His injury sees Chris Alcock move from the bench and into the starting XV.
The backrow place on the bench will be filled by Eastwood captain Hugh Perrett (profile below) who could make his Super Rugby debut almost six years after earning his first state cap against Auckland.
Head coach Chris Hickey said that despite more injury-enforced changes he is confident the NSW Waratahs can turn in an impressive display against the Lions.
“It seems to be the story of our season that even if we win there’s a price to pay and last time around that price was Pat McCutcheon,” said Hickey. “That said, Chris Alcock is more than capable of filling in and Hugh Perrett gets an opportunity that is probably well overdue.
“To have Tatafu back this week is great news. There are some players that bring a unique skill set or irreplaceable quality to a team and Tatafu is certainly one of those players.”
Hickey said that continuity in the backline was starting to show good signs with all indicators pointing to a strong attacking game against the Lions.
“The forecast is fairly clear right through to Saturday and given the way the Lions played against the Brumbies last week I think fans can expect an exciting game on Saturday.”
Players will be added to the match-day 22 to form a provisional South African touring party that will be announced later this week. The touring party will be confirmed following Saturday night’s match.
NSW Waratahs: 1 Benn Robinson, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 3 Sekope Kepu, 4 Dean Mumm (c), 5 Sitaleki Timani, 6 Dave Dennis, 7 Chris Alcock, 8 Ben Mowen, 9 Luke Burgess, 10 Berrick Barnes, 11 Sosene Anesi, 12 Tom Carter, 13 Ryan Cross, 14 Lachie Turner, 15 Kurtley Beale. Reserves: 16 Damien, 17 Al Baxter, 18 Kane Douglas, 19 Hugh Perrett, 20 Brendan McKibbin, 21 Daniel Halangahu, 22 Tom Kingston.
2011 Super Rugby Season - Round 14:
NSW Waratahs vs Lions
Sydney Football Stadium
Saturday night, May 21
Kick-off: 7:40pm (AEST).
Live coverage available on Fox Sports from 7:30pm (AEST). Check local guides for more information. Tickets are now on sale starting at just $20 for adults and $10 for kids.
Fans can also purchase a Two-Game Super Pass to the next two matches at the SFS against the Lions this weekend and then the Highlanders on June 11. Passes start at just $35 for adults and $20 for kids.
Saturday’s clash with the Lions will celebrate rugby in the bush with a ‘Country Party’. The curtain raiser will feature the NSW Country Cockatoos taking on the NSW Suburban rep team for the inaugural Maher-Ross Cup, while there will be a number of other country-themed activities and events surrounding the match.
