Rookie to start at 10 for Waratahs

Editor

Waratahs boss Daryl Gibson has named his side for Sunday's clash with the Crusaders in Sydney with Mack Mason set to make his Super Rugby debut when he steps into the number ten jersey with Bernard Foley ruled out.

"Mack’s a really calm, cool-headed young kid. We brought him down last year in November and has been working really well and he’s really earnt an opportunity to start for us," said Gibson.

"He has been one of the top performers for the Australian U20’s, he’s had that experience down at the (Melbourne Storm – NRL), so he’s certainly had a widened and varied pathway to us and I’m really looking forward to him going on Sunday."

Mason was one of the stand out players part of the Australian U20 side in 2016 that went on to claim victory against New Zealand.

Further changes will see Rio Olympian Cam Clark starting at full-back with Israel Folau moving back into the centres, as Rob Horne has been ruled out due to a low grade hamstring injury.

“Cam has been one of those guys who have been toiling away in the background – I’ve been really impressed with his performances coming off the bench”, added Gibson.

“Certainly with Rob Horne’s injury it’s a necessity to make that change for us, pushing Israel up.

“It’s a great opportunity for a young guy to really nail down that position and see what he can do at this level.

Looking ahead to Sunday, Gibson stressed the importance of a full eighty-minute performance from the home side.

"The games they have played, they’ve been behind in three of those and have come storming to win," he said. So we know if we are going to beat them we have got to play for 80 minutes and be right in there for the whole fight.”

Waratahs: 15 Cam Clark 14 Reece Robinson, 13 Israel Folau, 12 David Horwitz, 11 Andrew Kellaway, 10 Mack Mason, 9 Jake Gordon, 8 Jed Holloway, 7 Michael Hooper (c), 6 Ned Hanigan, 5 Will Skelton, 4 Dean Mumm, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Tolu Latu, 1 Tom Robertson
Replacements: 16 Damien Fitzpatrick, 17 Paddy Ryan, 18 David Lolohea, 19 David McDuling, 20 Michael Wells, 21 Nick Phipps, 22 Irae Simone, 23 Taqele Naiyaravoro

Venue: Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Kick-off: 18:05 local (06:05 GMT)
Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa)
Assistant Referees: Will Houston (Australia), Ed Martintt (Australia)
TMO: George Ayoub (Australia)