The NSW Waratahs take on the Hurricanes in Sydney tonight in a crucial Super Rugby Pacific clash as the Waratahs hunt a third straight win in a live waratahs vs hurricanes fixture. Coverage is slated to start at 7: 00 pm ET with kickoff expected at 7: 35 pm ET. A late change to the Waratahs’ starting XV came when Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii limped out of warm ups and was replaced by George Poolman.
Waratahs Vs Hurricanes: team sheets and late change
The Waratahs, fresh off a bye after back-to-back victories to open the season, named an altered XV for this home match. Wallabies Andrew Kellaway and Folau Fainga’a start their first games of the year, with Kellaway at full-back and Fainga’a at hooker. Leafi Talataina and Triston Reilly also come into the starting side for their first starts of the campaign, while Tom Lambert and Daniel Botha retain the front-row positions. Captain Matt Philip and Miles Amatosero again form the second row partnership.
Late in the buildup, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii was ruled a late out after limping off during warm ups; George Poolman takes his place in the centres. The appointed replacements on the bench include Ioane Moananu and Sid Harvey among others for the Waratahs. The Hurricanes arrive having lost narrowly to the Fijian Drua in Lautoka and regain All Black co-captain Du’Plessis Kirifi in the back-row for the match.
Immediate reactions
Dan McKellar, head coach, Waratahs, spoke on the squad’s preparation and the challenge ahead: “The boys had some time off last week and have come back and trained well ahead of Friday night. The Hurricanes are a good side and we will no doubt see a different version of them, with difficult conditions against the Fijian Drua last weekend. It is going to be tough but it is a challenge that this group wants and is ready for. ”
Playmaker Lawson Creighton, playmaker, Waratahs, framed the club’s mindset after a strong start: “It’s been a great start. The group’s in a really good spot. But we don’t want to be that inconsistent team like we were last year. We really think we can push for finals and all that type of stuff. ” Creighton added that there is room for improvement and growth: “It’s only the back end of February at the moment, so there’s plenty of improvement to come. ”
What’s next
The match will be a test of depth for the Waratahs with Kellaway and Fainga’a making their season starts and with Suaalii withdrawn late. The result will set the tone as the Sydney side prepares for a run of fixtures that includes the Reds, Blues, Brumbies and Chiefs. Kickoff remains scheduled for 7: 35 pm ET; all attention will be on how the Waratahs adapt to the sudden change and whether they can maintain their unbeaten start in this waratahs vs hurricanes showdown.
