Depleted Waratahs turn to the ‘Combat Wombat’ for tough New Zealand trip
The ‘Combat Wombat’, a colourblind hitman and a healthy dose of underdog spirit.
It sounds like the poster of an Adam Sandler movie but that’s the unusual mix the Waratahs are banking on for a competitive showing at Eden Park tonight after injury, suspension and Wallabies resting requirements prompted a radical team reshuffle.
NSW will take on the in-form Blues with one of their most inexperienced sides in years after losing Ned Hanigan and Dave Porecki to concussion, Lachlan Swinton to suspension, and having chosen to rest Michael Hooper, Mark Nawaqanitawase and Lalakai Foketi this week, as per agreement with the Wallabies.
In a team dominated by rookies, three players will make their starting debuts, and another three will make their Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific debuts.
In all, the Waratahs will field 10 players with fewer than 10 Super Rugby caps in their 23-man match day squad against a high-quality
Blues team.
With Langi Gleeson out (calf) and Charlie Gamble returning on the bench after a shoulder injury, Waratahs coach Darren Coleman named 24-year-old Manly flanker Hunter Ward to start in the No.7 jersey. Ward has just two minutes experience in Super Rugby after debuting against the Brumbies but the nuggety forward has impressed his Waratahs teammates with his trial and training form.
“He was a real standout, along with Michael Icely.
“He actually has the nickname ‘the Combat Wombat’ because he likes the contact and likes the physical
stuff. And we thought that’d be perfect for a team like the Blues,” Waratahs assistant coach Chris Whitaker said.
Jed Holloway said of the Orangeraised Ward:
“He came in looking like a prop when he first started and he has worked his arse off to get where he is now, and is another guy who is bloody impressive in the trial games and trainings.”
Holloway will be partnered with Zac Von Appen in the second-row, who’ll make his starting debut in his fourth game.
“He is super impressive in contact and just a big, big frame. He loves
hitting blokes and loves carrying. “I am excited to see how he goes. You to be aware when wearing a non-contact bib,” Holloway said. “You had to be worried because he must be colour blind or something because he was belting everyone.
“If you were wearing a yellow bib he’d still belt you. He just loves it. We are going to need guys like that this week.”
Harry Wilson, the son of former Wallabies flanker David, will make his starting debut at fullback, with Max Jorgensen shifting to a wing. With Tane Edmed (back) and Will Harrison (knee) injured, Jack Bowen - son of ex-Wallaby Scott will make a potential debut off the bench.
The Waratahs’ mass changes will likely halt all momentum from their win last week but it was a calculated call, according to Whitaker.
The three-day Wallabies camp left them with just one training session as a team.
“We have a pretty good run home so I suppose you have to pick and choose where you rest the guys we have got, and this is the one we chose early on,” Whitaker said. “There is that whole (attitude) of ‘no one expects us to do anything now, let’s go swing the bat and have a go at these guys’.”
They’re massive outsiders but Holloway said the inexperienced Waratahs were still going over to Auckland with the intention to win.
“We all understand that we are not going to be the favourites going over there but we have to have the mentality that this is a huge opportunity to show the strength of our squad, and the culture we have built here, to go make everyone proud,” he said.