Kepu beefs up Waratahs

Editor

Wallabies prop Sekope Kepu makes a return to the Waratahs starting XV for Saturday's Super Rugby meeting with the Hurricanes.

Wallabies prop Sekope Kepu makes a return to the Waratahs starting line-up for Saturday's Super Rugby meeting with the Hurricanes in Wellington.

Kepu will start alongside Benn Robinson and hooker John Ulugia.

Waratahs coach Michael Cheika has left the rest of the starting XV unchanged, following last Sunday's 23-19 victory over the Western Force.

The match will also see lock Kane Douglas make his 50th appearance for the 'Tahs.

With Tatafu Polota-Nau unavailable for selection, the Waratahs welcome back Wycliff Palu, who returns from an ankle injury to take his place on the bench in the only other change to the matchday 22.

Waratahs: 15 Israel Folau, 14 Peter Betham, 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12 Rob Horne, 11 Drew Mitchell, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Brendan McKibbin, 8 Pat McCutcheon, 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Dave Dennis (c), 5 Kane Douglas, 4 Sitaleki Timani, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 John Ulugia, 1 Benn Robinson.
Replacements: 16 Luke Holmes, 17 Paddy Ryan, 18 Mitchell Chapman, 19 Wycliff Palu, 20 Matt Lucas, 21 Ben Volavola, 22 Tom Kingston.

Date: Saturday, April 6
Venue: Westpac Stadium, Wellington
Kick-off: 19.35 (06.35 GMT)
Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa)