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Nawaqanitawase back to wing as Waratahs prepare for historic game in Fiji
By Finn Morton
Wallaby Mark Nawaqanitawase will shift back to the wing with the Waratahs’ welcoming back teenage whiz Max Jorgensen for their clash against the Fijian Drua in Lautoka.
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Nawaqanitawase, who is set to play his 50th Super Rugby match on Saturday afternoon, showed genuine promise out the back during the heartbreaking loss to the Blues last time out.
But with Jorgensen back in the mix after recovering from a hip complaint, the Wallabies’ Rugby World Cup squad member has been named to start in the No. 15 jumper.
The other two changes to the starting side come in the forwards with former Major League Rugby hooker Mahe Vailanu also returning from injury to start.
Vailanu will pack down alongside Angus Bell, with the world-class Wallaby back at loosehead prop after coming off the pine against the Aucklanders in round four.
This is the Waratahs’ first ever trip to Fiji for a Super Rugby clash, and it’s clear that the team are “excited” for the opportunity to take on the Drua at home.
“It’s going to be a hostile crowd. The heat will be a factor, but both teams are going to feel the heat,” captain Jake Gordon said.
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“We’ve done a really good job against Fiji every time we’ve played them; nullified their threats. We’ve had some really good results against them but we’ve got to work hard to make sure that continues.
“The risk over there is when the ball gets a little bit wetter, we don’t get looser with it too.
“We’ve got to have a smart kicking game. Go to set-piece. Trying not to play like the Drua in Fiji is really important for us this week.”
The Waratahs are still searching for their second win of the season after suffering two different two-point defeat to New Zealand opposition over the last fortnight.
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New South Wales sit just outside the top eight in ninth place but they will eager to start their rise up the ladder with a win on the road at Churchill Park this weekend.
Waratahs team to take on Fijian Drua
- Angus Bell
- Mahe Vailanu
- Harry Johnson-Holmes
- Jed Holloway
- Fergus Lee-Warner
- Ned Hanigan
- Charlie Gamble
- Langi Gleeson
- Jake Gordon (c)
- Tane Edmed
- Dylan Pietsch
- Joey Walton
- Izaia Perese
- Mark Nawaqanitawase
- Max Jorgensen
Reserves
- Julian Heaven
- Hayden Thompson
- Tom Ross
- Miles Amatosero
- Hugh Sinclair
- Lachlan Swinton
- Jack Grant
- Triston Reilly
Players unavailable for selection: David Porecki (Achilles), Thomas Lambert (knee), Archer Holz (shoulder), Mesu Kunavula (knee), Lalakai Foketi (neck), Ned Slack-Smith (concussion), Daniel Botha (concussion and neck)
