Gleeson to run out against Drua for Tahs
FIJIAN Langi Gleeson will face his fellow countrymen when the NSW Waratahs face the Fijian Drua for round two of the Harvey Norman Super Rugby Pacific competition tomorrow. Nemani Nadolo was left out of the team. Waratahs head coach Darren Coleman has made three changes to his forward pack while naming an unchanged backline from the team that took on the Brumbies last weekend.
Tom Lambert, who led the team in carries against the Brumbies, has been named at loosehead prop to replace the injured Angus Bell, with David Porecki and Archer Holz completing the front-row. Hugh Sinclair has been recalled to the starting side in the second row alongside Jed Holloway, with Taleni Seu reverting to the bench.
Wallaby flanker Langi Gleeson, who made an impact late in the game against the Brumbies, starts a number eight, with Michael Hooper and Lachlan Swinton rounding out an impressive back row. Jake Gordon and Tane Edmed resume their partnership in the halves while Lalakai Foketi and Izaia Perese again link up in the midfield.
Max Jorgensen, fresh off a two-try Super Rugby Pacific debut last weekend, has been named on the wing, joining Wallabies Ben Donaldson and Mark Nawaqanitawase in the back three.
Darren Coleman has once again named a sixtwo split on his bench and will look to get plenty of impact from Charlie Gamble and Will Harris late in the game.
Tolu Latu is set to play his first Super Rugby match for the Waratahs in 1365 days, while NSW Waratahs Academy products Daniel Botha and Ben Dowling are both in line to make their Super Rugby debuts.
“The changes in the forward pack are an indication of some of the tactical things we are trying to do, in and around our set piece and maul,” Coleman said
“We’re still working hard to find our best balanced and performing back row, while Tom Lambert did a great job in stepping up for Angus Bell and will have to carry a big portion of the load going forward.
The Waratahs take on the Fijian Drua in the headline match of Super Round on
1 Tom Lambert, 2 Dave Porecki, 3 Archer Holz, 4 Jed Holloway, 5 Hugh Sinclair, 6 Lachlan Swinton, 7 Michael Hooper, 8 Langi Gleeson, 9 Jake Gordon (c), 10 Tane Edmed, 11 Max Jorgensen, 12 Lalakai Foketi, 13 Izaia Perese, 14 Mark Nawaqanitawase, 15 Ben Donaldson. Tolu Latu, 17 Te Tera Faulkner, 18 Daniel Botha, 19 Taleni Seu, 20 Will Harris, 21 Charlie Gamble, 22 Harrison Goddard, 23 Ben Dowling