Former Eels in line for Waratahs debut

Sydney: Coach Rob Penney has recalled two Wallaby forwards into his starting pack - and named a former Eel to the bench - for the Waratahs clash with the Blues in Newcastle on Saturday night.

With wet weather forecast for the round two clash at MacDonald Jones Stadium, the forward battle will take on extra significance and Penney has turned to Test players by elevating Jack Dempsey from the bench to start at no.8, replacing Jed Holloway. Novocastrian tighthead prop Harry Johnson-Holmes, who made his Wallabies debut last year in South Africa, will start at tighthead after missing the Tahs’ round one loss to the Crusaders due to illness.

Penney stuck solid with his young backline, led by Will Harrison at no.10, but has named former NRL star Tepai Moeroa on the bench for a probable debut.

Moeroa was recruited from league last year but didn’t play in the trials.

“He covers the midfield really and probably moreso 12, than 13, but he can cover both,” Penney said of Moeroa.

“It’s early days for him but he is a big strong man and he has a good skillset, and his game understanding is what has really grown over the last month, and we think the time is right now to see if it’s grown to a good enough level to contribute positively. “We think he will. And if we’re right we have another great bit of talent and depth in that midfield position that will be very strong for us.”

Waratahs: 1. Tom Robertson, 2. Robbie Abel,

3. Harry Johnson-Holmes, 4. Tom Staniforth,

5. Rob Simmons (c), 6. Lachie Swinton, 7. Michael Hooper, 8. Jack Dempsey, 9. Jake Gordon, 10. Will Harrison, 11. Mark Nawaqanitawase, 12. Karmichael Hunt, 13. Lalakai Foketi, 14. Alex Newsome, 15. Kurtley Beale, Reserves: 16. Damien Fitzpatrick, 17. Angus Bell, 18. Tetera Faulkner, 19. Ryan McCauley,

20. Jed Holloway, 21. Tepai Moeroa, 22. Mitch Short, 23. Jack Maddocks.