Tuqiri at full-back for 'Tahs
May 08 2008
Waratahs Head Coach Ewen McKenzie has tweaked his back-line by moving Lote Tuqiri to full-back for the vital Super 14 clash with the Stormers at Newlands in Cape Town on Saturday.
Matt Carraro will make his starting debut for the Waratahs in Tuqiri's wing spot. With Tuqiri shifting to full-back, Sam Norton-Knight moves to the bench were he will be joined by experienced centre Timana Tahu.
"Matt's been impressive for us off the bench and deserves his start at Newlands," said McKenzie.
Speaking after the Waratahs' fog-shrouded session, Carraro was grateful for the chance to run-on in jersey eleven.
"It was tough start to the year with injury but it's a great reward to be starting at Newlands after putting in some hard work," Carraro said.
"Although I'm on the wing, the back three have been given a licence to roam and between the three of us we have wing, full-back the centres covered."
Coach McKenzie said the back-line tweaks will provide some spark for the Stormers clash.
"Lote plays a lot at the back during most matches anyway but we might be able to get a little more thrust out of him at full-back that might threaten the Stormers defence with some extra space and more touches of the ball," explained McKenzie.
The return of Timana Tahu will bring even more big game experience to the matchday 22.
"We've got guys here who've played in Super Rugby finals over the last few years but this kind of cauldron will be new to a lot of young players in the team and having Timana play off the bench brings just that little bit more big game experience to the side," McKenzie said.
"I think we've timed his comeback well and he'll play a crucial role like the other 21 players on Saturday night."
"In the end all we've done is move a couple of guys around. The only new face in the match day 22 in the backs is Timana."
McKenzie said prop Al Baxter is progressing well after copping a blow to the face at training on Tuesday and remains optimistic that he'll be fit to play.
Rookie Dan Palmer is on standby after arriving in Cape Town last night.
Waratahs: 15 Lote Tuqiri, 14 Lachie Turner, 13 Rob Horne, 12 Tom Carter, 11 Matt Carraro, 10 Kurtley Beale, 9 Luke Burgess, 8 Wycliff Palu, 7 Phil Waugh (c), 6 Rocky Elsom, 5 Dan Vickerman, 4 Dean Mumm, 3 Al Baxter, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 Benn Robinson.
Replacements: 16 Adam Freier, 17 Sekope Kepu, 18 Will Caldwell, 19 David Lyons, 20 Brett Sheehan, 21 Sam Norton-Knight, 22 Timana Tahu.
Date: Saturday, May 10
Venue: Newlands, Cape Town.
Kick-off: 19:10 (17:10 GMT)
Referee: Lyndon Bray (New Zealand)
Touch judges: Brent Murray (New Zealand), Christie du Preez (South Africa)
Television match official: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa)
Assessor: Arrie Schoonwinkel (South Africa)
Timekeeper: Kat Swanepoel (South Africa)