Waratahs recall Wallabies for Force clash
Wallabies Alastair Baxter, Benn Robinson and Brett Sheehan return to the NSW Waratahs line up for Saturday’s
must-win Australian Provincial Championship clash with the Western Force in Bathurst.
The trio, who last took the field in Australia’s loss to South Africa in Johannesburg ten days ago, add
steel to an already impressive looking Waratahs side.
| NSW Waratahs Team |
| 1. | Benn Robinson |
| 2. | Adam Freier |
| 3. | Alastair Baxter |
| 4. | Will Caldwell |
| 5. | Ben Hand |
| 6. | Tim Davidson |
| 7. | Beau Robinson |
| 8. | David Lyons (c) |
| 9. | Brett Sheehan |
| 10. | Sam Norton-Knight |
| 11. | Lachlan Turner |
| 12. | Sam Harris |
| 13. | Morgan Turinui (vc) |
| 14. | Ben Jacobs |
| 15. | Daniel Halangahu |
| Reserve Bench |
| 16. | Al Manning |
| 17. | Aaron Broughton-Rouse |
| 18. | Dean Mumm |
| 19. | Shawn Mackay |
| 20. | Peter Hewat |
| 21. | Clint Eadie |
| 22. | Josh Holmes |
“This is the most experienced side we’ve put on the park in the APC thus far,” Waratahs head coach Ewen
McKenzie said.
“The Wallaby players coming in are game hardened and very fresh after the Tri-Nations and are itching to
go, while those who have played the past two weeks have a point to prove.
“We’re still experimenting with players and positions, but we’re also conscious we’re yet to win a game and
we’re determined to change that this weekend.
“It's fair to say our performances to date have fallen short of our usual standards.”
McKenzie said the availability of Baxter and Robinson, who will combine with Adam Freier to form an
all-Wallaby front row, has come at just the right time.
“Losing Matt Dunning and Matt Skillecorn to injury last week was a blow so being able to call upon the
likes of Baxter and Robinson is a bonus,” McKenzie added.
The Waratahs have again made wholesale changes, which include Sam Norton-Knight and Daniel Halangahu
trading jerseys 10 and 15, Morgan Turinui shifting from inside to outside centre, and Ben Jacobs going from
outside centre to the wing.
The new men in the backline are Sheehan at scrumhalf, Sam Harris at inside centre, and Lachlan Turner on
the wing.
In the forwards, former Western Force back rower Tim Davidson will line up against his old side at
blindside flanker while Beau Robinson returns in the number seven jersey after impressing against the Brumbies
in round one.
Behind the all-new front row, Eastwood’s Ben Hand will start at lock.
Morgan Turinui will captain the side, with Will Caldwell his vice-captain.
A curtain raiser between the Waratahs Development Team and the NSW Country Cockatoos preceeds the clash at
Bathurst.
Teams for the curtain raiser have been named and are listed below.
APC Rugby - Match 5
NSW Waratahs vs Western Force
Carrington Park, Bathurst
Saturday afternoon, September 23
Kick-Off: 3:00pm (local/AEST time), 1:00pm (WA).
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