The HSBC Waratahs have bolstered their squad with Sydney Uni player Dave Dennis, replacing Sydney Uni’s Dean Mumm – out with a two week suspension.
Dennis shall start on the bench in the Waratahs match up against the Stormers in Newlands, Cape Town this Saturday.
“Injuries and suspensions always test your depth and losing two big men in Cam and Dean has certainly done that,” said coach Chris Hickey. “However the second row and back row were both areas we concentrated on improving our depth in during the off-season, and with the bad luck we encountered in round one I think we can see the result of strengthening that part of the squad.”
“Dave Dennis returned from the Wallaby tour as an even stronger player, so we definitely have capable players there ready to fill the breach,” said Hickey.
The backline is unchanged both in the starting line-up and the reserves list, with Sydney Uni’s Daniel Halangahu poised to make his 50th state appearance if he comes onto the field.
Sydney Uni’s Will Caldwell is currently equal with Tom Bowman on 53 Super Rugby caps, and will this weekend become the most capped NSW lock in Super Rugby. Caldwell is already the most capped lock in NSW Rugby history.
Captain Phil Waugh, from Sydney Uni, will play his 116th match moving past Matt Burke into second on the all-time list behind Chris Whitaker.
HSBC WARATAHS15. Sosene Anesi (TBA)
14. Lachie Turner (Eastwood)
13. Tom Carter (Sydney University)
12. Kurtley Beale (Northern Suburbs)
11. Drew Mitchell (Balmain)
10. Berrick Barnes (TBA)
9. Luke Burgess (Sydney University)
8. Wycliff Palu (Manly)
7. Phil Waugh [c] (Sydney University)
6. Ben Mowen (Randwick)
5. Kane Douglas (Southern Districts)
4. Will Caldwell (Sydney University)
3. Al Baxter (Northern Suburbs)
2. Tatafu Polota-Nau (Parramatta)
1. Benn Robinson (Eastwood)
Reserves
16. Damien Fitzpatrick (Eastwood)
17. Sekope Kepu (Randwick)
18. Hendrik Roodt (Gordon)
19. Dave Dennis (Sydney University)
20. Josh Holmes (Warringah)
