Waratahs rookie prop to start against Rebels

Waratahs coach Rob Penney has backed “unusually athletic” prop Angus Bell to handle the heat of Super Rugby after naming the teenager to make his first start against the Rebels tomorrow night. But Penney also warned that the rebuild of the Waratahs front-row - in which Harry Johnson-Holmes will continue at tighthead against Melbourne - will be a “medium to long-term prospect”, following the departure of veteran Sekope Kepu last year.

“We have to spend the time and energy and commitment to making that work.” Penney said.

The inclusion of Bell, 19, is one of six changes made by Penney to the starting side following the Waratahs’ 3212 loss to the Blues in Newcastle last weekend.

Jed Holloway returns to the back row for Lachie Swinton, while Alex Newsome comes in from the wing to replace Lalakai Foketi at no.13.

Jack Maddocks gets his first start for the Waratahs on the wing, and Cameron Clark will also start on the other wing, replacing Mark Nawaqanitawase, who has recovered from his awkward try-scoring landing last week but has been benched as a management call.

Penney said some of the changes were motivated partly by some concerns arising from their first two games and give players exposure to Super Rugby.

“It is partly a reaction to some of the issues we have been having, and partly the need to find our best combinations and grow the total group,” Penney said. “We have come in on a pretty short program and there is not a lot of experience in the group, as you know.

“We have just got to expose some people, so it is a bit of both there.”

LINE-UP

1 Angus Bell, 2 Robbie Abel, 3 Harry Johnston-Holmes, 4 Tom Staniforth, 5 Rob Simmons (c), 6 Jed Holloway, 7 Michael Hooper, 8 Jack Dempsey, 9 Jake Gordon, 10 Will Harrison, 11 Jack Maddocks, 12 Karmichael Hunt, 13 Alex Newsome, 14 Cameron Clark, 15 Kurtley Beale (vc)

Replacements: 16. Damien Fitzpatrick, 17. Tom Robertson, 18. Tetera Faulkner, 19. Ryan McCauley, 20. Lachlan Swinton, 21. Mitch Short, 22. Lalakai Foketi, 23. Mark Nawaqanitawase.

Photo: Auckland Blues Blues wunger Mark Telea scores one of his three tries afainst the Waratahs at Newcastle in Sydney, Australia on February 7, 2020. He’ll be a threat to the Crusaders this Friday.

Rookie Fijian winger Mark Nawaqanitawase scores a try against Blues in Newcaslte in Sydney, Australia on February 7, 2020. He has scored three tries during the 2020 Super Rugby and is on the bench tomorrow against Rebels.