Queenslander Izaia Perese headlines Waratahs’ team for Super Rugby derby

Queensland-born Waratahs centre Izaia Perese knows what it’s like to represent both states. Perese played for the Reds and later the Brisbane Broncos in the NRL before jumping back to rugby union.

Perese, who has played a handful of Tests in Aussie gold, has been named in an all-Wallabies midfield for the Waratahs along with teammate Lalakai Foketi. The pair started alongside one another in the Wallabies’ final match at last year’s Rugby World Cup in France.

With pre-season now out of the way, the Waratahs seem to be itching for the season to start against their great rivals.

“The good thing about trials is that you can really try and work on the basics and not give away too much,” Perese said in a statement.

“Now that it’s Round One, we’ve got a clean slate and we’re looking to showcase what we can bring.

“I think we’ll be able to go up there and do a job this weekend.

“Being a Queenslander and playing for the Tahs as well, I’m very fortunate to have played on both sides.

“It’s pretty funny, I know the feeling on both ends. I know how they’re going to be coming into the game and we’ve just got to match it.”

Perese recovered from an ankle complaint to feature in last week’s trial, and after signalling an intent to play in the opening round, the Wallaby will do just that.

Rising Max Jorgensen also returned form injury with 40 minutes in a trial against the Warringah Rat and Manly Marlins on Saturday, but the youngster has been on the bench.

But in some good news, Waratahs cans can look forward to seeing two of the team’s big-name recruits – big in stature, as well – take the field for their official debuts.

Lock Miles Amatosero will start alongside Jed Holloway, and Fergus Lee-Warner has been named at No. 6. Lee-Warner joins Charlie Gamble and Langi Gleeson in the backrow.

Captain Jake Gordon partners Tane Edmed in the halves, and outside of the previously mentioned midfield, Dylan Pietsch, Mark Nawaqanitawase and Joey Walton are the outside backs.

The Waratahs’ season opener away to the Queensland Reds is set to kick-off at 6.30 pm AEDT on Saturday evening. It’s the final game in the opening round of the season.

Waratahs team to take on Reds

1. Angus Bell
2. Mahe Vailanu
3. Harry Johnson-Holmes
4. Jed Holloway
5. Miles Amatosero*
6. Fergus Lee-Warner*
7. Charlie Gamble
8. Langi Gleeson
9. Jake Gordon (c)
10. Tane Edmed
11. Dylan Pietsch
12. Lalakai Foketi
13. Izaia Perese
14. Mark Nawaqanitawase
15. Joey Walton

Reserves

16. Theo Fourie**
17. Hayden Thompson-Stringer**
18. Daniel Botha
19. Sam Thomson**
20. Hugh Sinclair
21. Teddy Wilson
22. Harry Wilson
23. Max Jorgensen

*Denotes debut   **Denotes potential debut