Eight players are in line to wear the NSW Waratahs sky blue jersey for the very first time in a Super Rugby match, when the Sydney based side takes on the Stormers on Saturday night.

New recruits Rob Simmons and Tom Staniforth will partner one another in the second row, while centre Lalakai Foketi and winger Curtis Rona have also been named in Daryl Gibson’s starting XV.

Harry Johnson-Holmes, Shambeckler Vui, Nick Palmer, Mitch Short and Alex Newsome are also in line to make their Waratahs debuts from the bench.

Just two changes have been made to the starting side that beat the Melbourne Rebels 47-5 in a trial match last week, with Lalakai and Ned Hanigan replacing Alex Newsome and Jed Holloway respectively.

“The game against the Stormers will be a physical contest and it’s a chance for our guys to show what they have, and what we have been focusing on delivering,” Waratahs coach Daryl Gibson said.

“The kind of start we had against the Rebels last week was too slow for my liking, and we cannot afford to do that against the Stormers. We will need to up the tempo.”

NSW Waratahs team to play Stormers (Waratahs caps):

1. Tom Robertson (27)

2. Damien Fitzpatrick (31)

3. Paddy Ryan (91)

4. Tom Staniforth (*)

5. Rob Simmons (*)

6. Ned Hanigan (15)

7. Michael Hooper (80, captain)

8. Michael Wells (15)

9. Jake Gordon (12)

10. Bernard Foley (87, vice-captain)

11. Curtis Rona (*)

12. Kurtley Beale (110)

13. Lalakai Foketi (*)

14. Andrew Kellaway (20)

15. Israel Folau (75)

Reserves:

16. Hugh Roach (30)

17. Harry Johnson-Holmes (*)

18. Shambeckler Vui (*)

19. Nick Palmer (*)

20. Jed Holloway (23)

21. Mitch Short (*)

22. Bryce Hegarty (13)

23. Alex Newsome (*)