Rob Simmons returns for Waratahs
May 25, 2019 - Sydney, NSW, U.S. - SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 25: Waratahs player Rob Simmons (5) palms off Jaguares player Javier Ortega Desio (8) at week 15 of Super Rugby between NSW Waratahs and Jaguares on May 25, 2019 at Western Sydney Stadium in NSW, Australia. (Photo by Speed Media/Icon Sportswire) (Credit Image: © Speed Media/Icon SMI via ZUMA Press)
Waratahs head coach Rob Penney has named a strong starting XV for Friday’s Super Rugby AU clash against the Western Force on the Gold Coast.
Veteran lock Rob Simmons will return from injury after being a late scratching from his side’s convincing victory over the Reds at the Sydney Cricket Ground last week.
The returning skipper will partner Tom Staniforth in the second-row, with Ned Hanigan shifting to the replacements.
The only other alteration sees tighthead prop Tetera Faulkner earn his first start for the Waratahs in Super Rugby AU, while hooker Robbe Abel returns to the bench after being unavailable for personal reasons.
It’s an unchanged starting backline for Penney, with Mich Short, Ben Donaldson and Joey Walton all on the bench.
Where does your team sit after a HUGE round of upsets ⁉️ 🔥
📺 Watch#SuperRugbyAU on @kayosports: https://t.co/srZbAcJls8 pic.twitter.com/Ca6domBeNd
— Fox Rugby (@FOXRUGBY) August 10, 2020
Waratahs: 15 Jack Maddocks, 14 James Ramm, 13 Lalakai Foketi, 12 Karmichael Hunt, 11 Alex Newsome, 10 Will Harrison, 9 Jake Gordon, 8 Jack Dempsey, 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Lachie Swinton, 5 Rob Simmons (c), 4 Tom Staniforth, 3 Tetera Faulkner, 2 Tom Horton, 1 Tom Robertson
Replacements: 16 Robbie Abel, 17 Angus Bell, 18 Harry Johnson-Holmes, 19 Ned Hanigan, 20 Hugh Sinclair, 21 Mitch Short, 22 Ben Donaldson, 23 Joey Walton
Date: Friday, August 14
Venue: Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
Kick-off: 19:05 (10:05 BST, 09:05 GMT)
Referee: Nic Berry
Assistant referees: Graham Cooper, Amy Perrett
TMO: Brett Cronan