Israel Folau back for Waratahs to face Force
NSW Waratahs fullback Israel Folau will make his return to Asteron Life Super Rugby against the Western Force on Saturday, after being sidelined for two weeks with a throat injury.
Fully recovered and ready to go, Folau makes his comeback as part of a new-look back three, with coach Michael Cheika selecting Rob Horne and Cam Crawford on the wings.
Crawford gets his first shot in the top grade in 2014, courtesy of a broken foot to left wing speedster Peter Betham.
Eight tries in seven games last season gave Crawford the best tries-to-games ratio in Super Rugby but off-season surgery on his left shoulder stalled his charge.
Horne’s second chance in the number 14 jersey comes due to a knee injury to Alofa Alofa.
After making his season debut on the wing against the Sharks, Horne’s high shot on Francios Steyn in the Sharks match saw him suspended for one week. But impressed by Horne’s commitment, Cheika has rushed the 25-year-old back into the starting line up.
With Super Rugby’s leading try-scorer for 2014 Folau back in at fullback, his stand-in for the last two weeks – Kurtley Beale – returns to inside centre, re-establishing the partnership with Adam Ashley-Cooper.
The halves combination remains the same, with Nick Phipps and Bernard Foley continuing the partnership they have enjoyed since Round 1.
The forward pack’s dominate display in the victory over the Stormers has meant coach Cheika has left the pack unchanged.
With the set piece close to its best all season, Benn Robinson and Sekope Kepu remain the starting props with Tatafu Polota Nau at hooker.
Will Skelton, the youngest player in the Waratahs run on pack, and the in-form Kane Douglas are the locks.
With Wycliff Palu unavailable due to an ankle injury, captain Dave Dennis will remain at No. 8, while Jacques Potgieter starts at blindside breakaway and Michael Hooper at open.
Waratahs fans can watch the game live on Fox Sports Fox Sports 2, 2HD and Sports Play from 7.20pm this Saturday, catch the replay at 10.30pm that night and 9.30am on Sunday morning (both Fox Sports 3) Sunday or get the highlights on Super Rugby Extra Time at 10pm Monday on Fox Sports 1. Fans without Foxtel can follow the game’s live and score by score with the Tahs’ new online matchcentre or use Twitter to keep up to date with every score, as it happens. Follow the game, tackle by tackle and score by score by following @NSWWaratahs on twitter or by searching #FORvWAR.
NSW Waratahs: 1. Benn Robinson (Eastwood), 2. Tatafu Polota Nau (Parramatta), 3. Sekope Kepu (Randwick), 4.Will Skelton (Sydney University), 5. Kane Douglas (Southern Districts), 6. Jacques Potgieter (Eastern Suburbs), 7. Michael Hooper (Manly), 8. Dave Dennis (Sydney University, captain), 9. Nick Phipps (Sydney University), 10. Bernard Foley (Sydney University), 11. Rob Horne (Sydney University), 12. Kurtley Beale (Randwick), 13. Adam Ashley-Cooper (Northern Suburbs), 14. Cam Crawford (Northern Suburbs), 15 Israel Folau (Sydney University).
Replacements: 16. Tolu Latu (Sydney University), 17. Jeremy Tilse (Sydney University), 18. Paddy Ryan (Sydney University), 19. Stephen Hoiles (Randwick), 20. Pat McCutcheon (Sydney University), 21. Brendan McKibbin (Eastern Suburbs), 22 Jono Lance (Eastern Suburbs),23. Matt Carraro (Randwick).
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