NSW Waratahs coach Daryl Gibson has made four changes to the starting line-up to the team that will take on the Melbourne Rebels in Round 13 of the Super Rugby series at Allianz Stadium this Sunday.

Lock Wil Skelton, No 8 Michael Wells and halfback Nick Phipps all come off the bench into the starting side, while Taqele Naiyaravoro returns from injury, replacing Reece Robinson on the right wing.

Hooker Damien Fitzpatrick replaces Hugh Roach on the bench.

Daryl Gibson said the changes come from players working hard and competing for starting spots, forcing their way into the line-up.

“Given where the competition is at right now these games are huge and these are the matches that the players really want to play in,” Gibson said.

“Wil Skelton had a real impact when he came off the bench in the second half against the Blues and we’re looking for more from him in this match.

“The players have worked hard during the week after returning from the bye so they are fresh and ready to play.”

Gibson says the Waratahs are only too aware of the fact they are letting sides get away from them in the first half of their games and have been working to address that problem.

In their last match against the Auckland Blues the NSW Waratahs trailed 26-0 at half time and won the second half by 33 points to 14 only to lose the game to the New Zealand side by 40-33.

“The players know that they need to work hard for the full eighty minutes and that we need to start with a real intent and an urgency to our performance,” he said.

The NSW Waratahs will host the Melbourne Rebels at Allianz Stadium on Sunday 21st May at 4:00pm.

NSW Waratahs team to play Rebels:

Tom Robertson, Tolu Latu, Sekope Kepu, Dean Mumm, Will Skelton, Ned Hanigan, Michael Hooper, Michael Wells, Nick Phipps, Bernard Foley, Cam Clark, David Horwitz, Rob Horne, Taqele Naiyaravoro, Israel Folau. Reserves: Damien Fitzpatrick, Paddy Ryan, Angus Taavao, David McDuling, Jed Holloway, Jake Gordon, Bryce Hegarty, Irae Simone.