Waratahs go for Experience in Tour Opener

The NSW Waratahs Development Team has selected a strong squad for the opening match of the 2006 UK and Ireland Tour, which departs Sydney tonight.

16 of the 22 man squad for the clash with Saracens A have already played for NSW, with four of those – prop Aaron Broughton-Rouse, utility backs Daniel Halangahu and Sam Norton-Knight, and centre Sam Harris – having experience at Super 14 level.

That experience will be vital given the short lead up to Thursday’s tour opener at St. Albans, just north of London.

“We arrive into London on Tuesday afternoon their time and play on Thursday so there’s very little time for acclimatisation,” Co-coach Les Kiss said.

“The squad we’ve selected all played in Bathurst on Saturday and will be ready to go, long flight or not.

“While we’re expecting a tough time of it against Saracens, everyone in this squad has the ability and we expect them to step up.

“We have an excellent winning record on development tours and it’s something we’re determined to see continue.”

Centre Sam Harris has been named in the squad and is the only player certain to back up against Northampton A four days later.

Harris will then depart the tour to return home for his wedding, set down for Saturday 7 October.

Meanwhile, one final change has been made to the tour squad, with promising young Sydney University flyhalf Daniel Kelly to tour following a knee injury to West Harbour winger Nick Reily.

Reily was ruled out on doctors’ advice after sustaining the injury playing for the Waratahs against the Reds in Gosford just over a week ago.

The change completes a talented tour squad, which includes nine contracted Waratahs, five professional academy players, and 12 players yet to experience Rugby at this level.

Waratahs Will Caldwell and Sam Norton-Knight have been named tour captains, while off field the tour will be led by Waratah coaches Steve Tuynman and Les Kiss.

Former Wallaby Tuynman and former Kangaroo Kiss lead an experienced management team, which also includes assistants and Waratah Academy coaches Shannon Fraser and Greg Mumm and tour manager and former Wallaby Tony D’Arcy.

The final positional make up for the Saracens match will be announced after the squad’s arrival in the UK late on Tuesday.

NSW team for Tour Opener: (In alphabetical order)
John Adams, Aaron Broughton-Rouse, Clint Eadie, Tom Egan, Scott Fardy, Daniel Halangahu, Ben Hand, Sam Harris, David Haydon, Ed Jenkins, Luke Johnson, Shawn Mackay, Al Manning, Josh Mann-Rae, Jackson Mullane, Dean Mumm, Sam Norton-Knight, David Rimmer, Beau Robinson, Nathan Sievert, Jeremy Tilse, Lachlan Turner.

Waratahs Development Tour Squad 2006 (Revised)

Will Caldwell (Sydney University) – Tour Captain; Sam Norton-Knight (Northern Suburbs) – Tour Captain; John Adams (Warringah), Pelea Afu (Parramatta), Aaron Broughton-Rouse (Eastwood), Clint Eadie (Warringah), Tom Egan (Sydney University), Ofa Fainga’anuku (Gordon), Scott Fardy (Warringah), Ben Hand (Eastwood), Daniel Halangahu (Sydney University), Sam Harris (TBC), David Haydon (Sydney University), Ed Jenkins (Sydney University), Luke Johnson (Manly), Daniel Kelly Jnr. (Sydney University), Patrick McCabe (Warringah), Shawn Mackay (Randwick), Al Manning (Northern Suburbs), Josh Mann-Rae (Manly), Jackson Mullane (Southern Districts), Dean Mumm (Sydney University), David Rimmer (West Harbour), Beau Robinson (Northern Suburbs), Nathan Sievert (Sydney University), Nigel Staniforth (Sydney University), Jeremy Tilse (Sydney University), Lachlan Turner (Eastwood), Josh Weeks (Parramatta), Sam Wykes (Parramatta).

Head Coaches: Les Kiss and Steve Tuynman
Assistant Coaches: Shannon Fraser and Greg Mumm
Strength & Conditioning Coaches: Peter McDonald and Grant Duthie
Tour Manager: Tony D’Arcy

DEVELOPMENT TOUR ITINERARY

GAME ONE: Waratahs Development Team vs Saracens A
Thursday 28 September, 3:00pm (Midnight Thursday AEST)
Venue: Woollams Playing Fields, St. Albans School, St. Albans

GAME TWO: Waratahs Development Team vs Northampton Wanderers
Monday 2 October, 7:30pm (4:30am Tuesday AEST)
Venue: Franklin’s Gardens, Northampton

GAME THREE: Waratahs Development Team vs Ulster A
Friday 6 October, 5:00pm (2:00am Saturday AEST)
Venue: Ravenhill, Belfast

GAME FOUR: Waratahs Development Team vs Leinster A
Sunday 8 October, 3:00pm (Midnight Sunday AEST)
Venue: Donnybrook, Dublin