Waratahs name full strength side for final Super Rugby trial
NSW Waratahs coach Daryl Gibson has named a near full strength side for tomorrow night's final Super Rugby trial match against the Melbourne Rebels.
Michael Hooper, Kurtley Beale, Israel Folau, Bernard Foley, Jed Holloway and Rob Simmons will all play their first match of the season, with only Nick Phipps missing from the match day squad.
Damien Fitzpatrick will start ahead of Tolu Latu in the Tah No.2 jersey, while Tom Staniforth will get the first opportunity to partner Rob Simmons in the second row.
Gibson said the return of the Wallabies would add an extra edge to the game against the Melbourne Rebels.
“We are at that point where we need a game to see where we are at and this is a perfect opportunity to test ourselves against our Australian Conference rivals,” Gibson said.
“We have learnt some good lessons from the game against the Highlanders a couple of weeks back and the Brisbane Global Tens tournament. What I am looking for in tomorrow’s trial is a contin