Waratahs name strong side for Fiji

[Burgs]

Waratahs name strong side for Fiji

February 1, 2011

A NEAR full-strength side has been named to take on Fiji in the Waratahs' opening trial match on Friday.

Every available squad member will receive 40-60 minutes of game time at the Sydney Football Stadium after coach Chris Hickey named 28 players to take on the Pacific Island nation.

Fourteen internationals, including seven players from last year's European tour, will line up for the Waratahs, while Daniel Halangahu, Damien Fitzpatrick, Jeremy Tilse, Pat O'Connor and Brendan McKibbin will miss the match through Australian Barbarians commitments.

Advertisement: Story continues below ''We always knew we wanted everyone who is available to play in the first trial, however, the unfortunate flipside to that is you're not in the best situation to give everyone the game time they need,'' Hickey said.

''With the Australian Barbarians match on Saturday, it enables a number of those players pushing for places in the 22 to get a good amount of game time, which is better for them than getting just 20 minutes at the end.''

NSW have named a strong team, including Lachie Turner trialling in the No.13 jersey, while Tom Carter and Ryan Cross will have opportunities to impress at inside-centre.

Afa Pakalani, recruited from Auckland in the off-season, will partner Kurtley Beale and Drew Mitchell in the back three. Wycliff Palu makes his return almost 10 months after suffering a knee injury.

Sekope Kepu gets the first chance in the No.1 jersey because Benn Robinson is sitting out the match after suffering a calf strain.

''We'll be doing our best to ensure over both trials that everyone in contention for the opening round gets the game time they need to be fit for the first match, and that they also have the chance to push their claims for selection,'' Hickey said.

Meanwhile, former Australian Schoolboys rep Tom Kingston has joined the Tahs' squad.

Waratahs squad:

1. Sekope Kepu,
2. Tatafu Polota-Nau,
3. Al Baxter,
4. Kane Douglas,
5. Dean Mumm,
6. Ben Mowen,
7. Phil Waugh (capt),
8. Wycliff Palu,

9. Luke Burgess,
10. Berrick Barnes,
11. Drew Mitchell,
12. Tom Carter,
13. Lachie Turner,
14. Afa Pakalani,
15. Kurtley Beale

Interchange: Scott Sio, John Ulugia, Greg Peterson, Dave Dennis, Josh Holmes, Sosene Anesi, Ryan Cross, Ben Seymour, Sitaleki Timani, Paddy Ryan, Chris Alcock, Lopeti Timani, Tom Kingston.

AAP

[NTT]

Its been a while but here goes


THE TAHS ARE GAY


Oh yeah that felt good