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 continuation of our adaptation to our defence systems and being a team that’s tough to score against. Also, our attack needs to be more comfortable holding onto the ball and applying pressure to our opposition.”

‘Tomorrow is also another opportunity to test combinations and for players to say ‘pick me’ ahead of our first home game against the Stormers next weekend,” Gibson said.

NSW Waratahs squad:

15. Israel Folau, 14. Alex Newsome, 13. Curtis Rona, 12. Kurtley Beale, 11. Andrew Kellaway, 10, Bernard Foley, 9. Jake Gordon, 8. Jed Holloway, 7. Michael Hooper (Captain), 6. Michael Wells, 5. Rob Simmons, 4. Tom Staniforth, 3. Paddy Ryan, 2. Damien Fitzpatrick, 1. Tom Robertson.

Replacements: 16. Hugh Roach, 17. Tolu Latu, 18. Shambeckler Vui, 19. Harry Johnson-Holmes, 20. Will Miller, 21. Mitch Short, 22. Mack Mason, 23. Bryce Hegarty, 24. Ned Hanigan, 25. Lalakai Foketi, 26. Lachlan Swinton, 27. Ryan McCauley, 28. Brad Wilkin, 29. Nick Palmer, 30. Irae Simone, 31. Taqele Naiyaravoro