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Tahs recall Palu to XV
Sportal
A blockbusting display in the second half of last week's match against the Highlanders has insured Wycliff Palu a recall to the starting line-up for this Friday's Super 14 clash with the Chiefs in Sydney.
Palu came off the reserves' bench in last Saturday night's 26-25 loss to the Highlanders to spark a late flurry of Tahs tries through some penetrating bursts on the fringes of the ruck.
Waratahs coach Ewen McKenzie has recognised the big No.8's good form and has promoted him to the starting XV in place of a resurgent David Lyons, who will start from the bench. The pair's end of season form is pleasing considering the Wallabies first Test of the year, against Wales, is just over a month away.
"At Number 8 we're swapping a Wallaby with a Wallaby and it's a good opportunity for Australian selectors to have a look at Wycliff starting this week," said McKenzie.
Wallabies hooker Adam Freier will also be looking to use the Waratahs' last two Super 14 matches to impress national selectors. He is back at No.2 after earning a rest from the starting side last week and will resume the captaincy role from Rocky Elsom.
"Adam needed to freshen up last week and he showed the benefits of that respite when he came on," said head coach Ewen McKenzie.
Fellow Wallaby Phil Waugh, who has been sidelined with an ankle injury since February, was running solidly again at training this week but is another match away from a return.
Injured scrumhalves Brett Sheehan (ribs) and Josh Valentine (knee) were also listed as propositions for next week's final round of the Super 14. This means Josh Holmes gets another chance to impress at No.9 after his try-scoring debut start last against the Highlanders.
Teenage utility Kurtley Beale has recovered from the flu and is back in the squad, while Daniel Halangahu, who looked sharp when he came off the bench in the pivot's role last start, will keep him company on the bench.
"We've retained the same backline with Daniel Halangahu to cover scrumhalf from the bench," said McKenzie.
"We've had a pretty disrupted week due to the weather so training has been compromised and the best way to deal with that is keeping the side pretty much the same."
Waratahs v Chiefs:
1. Matt Dunning,
2. Adam Freier (capt),
3. Al Baxter,
4. Dean Mumm,
5. Will Caldwell,
6. Rocky Elsom,
7. Beau Robinson,
8. Wycliff Palu,
9. Josh Holmes,
10. Sam Norton-Knight,
11. Lote Tuqiri (vc),
12. Sam Harris,
13. Ben Jacobs,
14. Lachie Turner,
15. Peter Hewat.
16. Tatafu Polota-Nau,
17. Benn Robinson,
18. Tim Davidson,
19. David Lyons,
20. Daniel Halangahu,
21. Kurtley Beale,
22. Chris Siale.
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