HSBC Waratahs name unchanged side to play Chiefs

Michael Foley has backed the same team to come up with the goods for a second week running as the HSBC Waratahs prepare to travel to Hamilton ahead of Saturday’s round six FxPro Super Rugby clash.

Naming an unchanged team to play the Chiefs, who currently top the New Zealand conference, the head coach is aware that his side will need to recapture that same frame of mind if they are to record their third win of the season.

“The players have been very clear about the standards they demand for themselves again this week” said Foley, after the team dispatched the Sharks 34-30 at the Allianz Stadium last Saturday afternoon.

“It was that attitude that carried through into the game.  To come together and the way they undertook the challenge for the full 80 minutes was superb.

“The two things that stood out in the Sharks game were that we tried to play with the ball as a 15 and our defensive discipline was good for the entire match.”

After their round four 29-22 victory over the Brumbies, their third win in a row, the Chiefs return from a bye week full of confidence as they look forward to playing in front of their home crowd.

“We know the Chiefs will be a big game for us.  They’ve always been a side able to spread the ball, they’ve certainly got pace out wide, and in Sonny Bill Williams they have another dimension in attack. Their forward pack is certainly a threat, particularly at scrum and lineout.”

Since 1996, NSW have won 10 of the 16 encounters between the sides.  The biggest of those was the last time the teams played in Waikato Stadium in 2010, when the visitors recorded a 46-19 victory.

HSBC WARATAHS v Chiefs
FxPro Super Rugby round 6
Saturday March 31, 2012
Waikato Stadium, Hamilton, kick off 5.35pm (AEST)

15. Bernard Foley (Sydney University)
14. Tom Kingston (Sydney University)
13. Rob Horne (Southern Districts)
12. Tom Carter (Sydney University)
11. Adam Ashley-Cooper (Northern Suburbs)
10. Berrick Barnes (Sydney University), vice captain
9.    Brendan McKibbin (Eastern Suburbs)
8.    Wycliff Palu (Manly)
7.    Chris Alcock (Eastwood)
6.    Dave Dennis (Sydney University)
5.    Kane Douglas (Southern Districts)
4.    Dean Mumm (Sydney University)
3.    Sekope Kepu (Randwick)           
2.    Tatafu Polota-Nau (Parramatta)
1.    Benn Robinson (Eastwood), captain

Replacements
16. John Ulugia (Southern Districts)
17. Paddy Ryan (Sydney University)
18. Sitaleki Timani (Southern Districts)
19. Lopeti Timani (Southern Districts)
20. Jono Jenkins (Sydney University)
21. Sarel Pretorius (Gordon)
22. Daniel Halangahu (Sydney University)

Coaching Staff
Michael Foley – Head Coach
Alan Gaffney – Senior Assistant Coach
Scott Bowen – Assistant Coach
Greg Mumm – Coaching Coordinator

Ends