Former Australia U20 captain gets starting shot with Tahs against Reds

Former Australia U20 captain Teddy Wilson will start at scrum-half for the NSW Waratahs this weekend in a round four clash with the Queensland Reds at Suncorp Stadium. The Tahs have copped a significant blow before the derby, with captain Jake Gordon ruled out.

Gordon suffered a knee injury during last weekend’s big win over the Western Force in Sydney, which has forced Dan McKellar into a couple of massive calls this week. Wilson comes into the run-on side, and Hugh Sinclair will make history at the 178^th Waratahs captain.

Wilson, who also played for Australia on the HSBC SVNS Series in Singapore about 12 months ago, will partner former Queensland Reds fly-half Lawson Creighton in a new-look halves combination with Wallaby Tane Edmed once again set to come off the bench.

This will be Wilson’s second appearance of the season, with the youngster having come off the pine in the round three win over the Fijian Drua at Allianz Stadium. But coach McKellar remains entirely confident that the 22-year-old will do what’s required.

“He’s worked hard on his core skills,” McKellar said in a statement. “He’s ready for what will be a big game… we’ve got full belief in what he’ll bring.

“He’s a competitor, he fights, and he embodied everything we want in a player.”

This is a massive test for the Waratahs, with coach McKellar labelling the Reds the “best team” in Super Rugby on Saturday evening. While the Queenslanders lost quite comfortably across the ditch in Christchurch the next day, they’re still a quality outfit.

The Tahs are unbeaten and will look to keep that streak going in their fourth match of the season. Sinclair captains an otherwise mostly-settled side, with the Tahs only making three changes to the starting side.

Leafi Talataina comes into the run-on side at No. 8 in place for injured backrower Langi Gleeson, and Triston Reilly replaces Wallaby Darby Lancaster on the wing. Other than the change at scrum-half, this is a consistent side.

Angus Bell, David Porecki, Taniela Tupou, Sinclair and Ben Grant are the tight five, while Rob Leota, Charlie Gamble and Talataina are the three backrowers.

In the backs, Wilson and Creighton will look to provide quality ball to the likes of Joey Walton and Henry O’Donnell in the halves, and also Max Jorgensen and Reilly on the wings. There’s also Wallaby Andrew Kellaway who has been picked at fullback once again.

“It’s going to be a physical game… we’ve looked at 6-2 benches in the first few weeks, and this week, we’ve decided to go with it again,” McKellar explained.

“Our bench has made a significant impact in our opening matches, and we’re excited about what they’ll bring this week.”

Head-to-Head

Last 5 Meetings

Wins

4

Draws

0

Wins

1

Average Points scored

31

23

First try wins

60%

Home team wins

40%

Waratahs team to take on Reds

1. Loosehead Prop                          Angus Bell (Sydney University)
2. Hooker                                         David Porecki (Manly)
3. Tighthead Prop                            Taniela Tupou (West Harbour)
4. Left Lock                                      Hugh Sinclair (c)  (Northern Suburbs)
5. Right Lock                                    Ben Grant (Sydney University
6. Left Flanker                                  Rob Leota (Eastern Suburbs)
7. Right Flanker                               Charlie Gamble (Eastern Suburbs)
8. Number Eight                               Leafi Talataina (Sydney University)*
9. Scrumhalf                                    Teddy Wilson (Eastern Suburbs)
10. Flyhalf                                        Lawson Creighton (Randwick)
11. Left Wing                                   Max Jorgensen (Randwick)
12. Inside Centre                             Joey Walton (Gordon)
13. Outside Centre                          Henry O’Donnell (Northern Suburbs)
14. Right Wing                                 Triston Reilly (Randwick)
15. Fullback                                     Andrew Kellaway (Randwick)

Replacements
16. Reserve                                      Mahe Vailanu (Gordon)
17. Reserve                                      Tom Lambert (Sydney University)
18. Reserve                                      Siosifa Amone (Northern Suburbs)
19. Reserve                                      Felix Kalapu (Northern Suburbs)
20. Reserve                                      Jamie Adamson (Eastern Suburbs)
21. Reserve                                      Langi Gleeson (Manly)
22. Reserve                                      Jack Grant (Eastern Suburbs)
23. Reserve                                      Tane Edmed (Eastwood)