NSW fan favourite Drew Mitchell will pull on the sky blue jersey for the first time in over 12 months on Sunday when the HSBC Waratahs take on the Cheetahs in Bloemfontain.
Unleashed on the left wing, the inclusion of the Balmain Muzzled Wolf is one of four changes to the last week’s starting team, with Tatafu Polota-Nau, Kane Douglas and Wycliff Palu returning to the front, second and back rows respectively.
An injury to Rocky Elsom means Benn Robinson will captain the side for the seventh time and sees Dave Dennis revert to the blind-side. The absence of lock Dean Mumm will be covered by Eastern Suburbs’ versatile forward Richard Stanford, who joined the squad earlier in the week. Stanford is one of four forwards on the bench, with Head Coach Michael Foley opting for a four/three split, allowing for the inclusion of direct running centre Tom Carter.
Also looking to make an impact is former Cheetahs scrumhalf Sarel Pretorius. Last season’s leading Super Rugby try-scorer, Pretorius’ inside knowledge of his former team mates will be an asset to the NSW side, as will his Afrikaans, as the HSBC Waratahs look to nail the 80-minute performance that would have seen them secure several close encounters in recent weeks, including last week’s 19-13 defeat to the Stormers.
Of the seven previous Super Rugby encounters between the HSBC Waratahs and Cheetahs, formerly known as Orange Free State, NSW have won on all but two occasions. The most recent defeat came when the two sides last met and saw the Cheetahs secure their first ever win in Sydney, pulling off a 23-3 victory at the SFS.
You can follow the HSBC Waratahs’ FxPro Super Rugby round 14 clash with the Cheetahs live on Fox Sports 3 (channel 503) from 1am on Sunday morning or follow every score as it happens with the HSBC Waratahs’ LIVE twitter updates by following @NSWWaratahs or searching #CHEvWAR.
HSBC WARATAHS v Cheetahs
FxPro Super Rugby round 14
Sunday May 27, 2012
Bloemfontain (1.10am)
15. Bernard Foley (Sydney University)
14. Tom Kingston (Sydney University)
13. Rob Horne (Southern Districts)
12. Adam Ashley-Cooper (Northern Suburbs)
11. Drew Mitchell (Balmain)
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. Sitaleki Timani (Southern Districts)
3. Sekope Kepu (Randwick)
2. Tatafu Polota-Nau (Parramatta)
1. Benn Robinson (Eastwood), captain
Replacements
16. John Ulugia (Southern Districts)
17. Jeremy Tilse (Sydney University)
18. Richard Stanford (Eastern Suburbs)
19. Lopeti Timani (Southern Districts)
20. Sarel Pretorius (Gordon)
21. Daniel Halangahu (Sydney University)
22. Tom Carter (Sydney University)
Coaching Staff
Michael Foley – Head Coach
Alan Gaffney – Senior Assistant Coach
Scott Bowen – Assistant Coach
Greg Mumm – Coaching Coordinator