WARATAHS vs BLUES in Sydney, Saturday 7.35pm kickoff AEDT
Mark Nawaqanitawase will start at fullback for the Waratahs after Max Jorgensen welches ruled out with a hip injury.
Nawaqanitawase’s move to the No.15 jersey allows Dylan Pietsch to return to the wing.
Julian Heaven will make his first NSW start at hooker after Mahe Vailanu joined Dave Porecki and Theo Fourie on the injury list.
Meanwhile, the Blues are wary of a renewed Australian threat.
The Waratahs upset the defending champion Crusaders in round two while the Reds stunned the competition favourite Chiefs last week.
“What I’m noticing is they’re playing much better rugby, and it’s good for the competition,” Blues forwards coach Paul Tito said.
“They’re having a real crack at the Kiwi teams, whereas in the past they’ve been a bit hesitant and weren’t really backing themselves.
“It’s good to see. It’s putting the Kiwi teams on notice – we are going to have to be at our best to go there and get wins. Joe (Schmidt) is sitting in the stands and everyone is pretty keen to impress. It’s a good start for them.”
WARATAHS (15-1): Mark Nawaqanitawase, Triston Reilly, Izaia Perese, Joey Walton, Dylan Pietsch, Tane Edmed, Jake Gordon (c), Langi Gleeson, Charlie Gamble, Ned Hanigan, Fergus Lee-Warner, Jed Holloway, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Julian Heaven, Hayden Thompson-Stringer
Reserves: Jay Fonokalafi, Angus Bell, Tom Ross, Miles Amatosero, Hugh Sinclair, Lachlan Swinton, Jack Grant, Harry Wilson
BLUES (15-1): Zarn Sullivan, Mark Telea, Rieko Ioane, Bryce Heem, Caleb Clarke, Stephen Perofeta, Finlay Christie, Hoskins Sotutu, Dalton Papalii (c), Akira Ioane, Laghlan McWhannell, Josh Beehre, Marcel Renata, Kurt Eklund, Ofa Tu’ungafasi
Reserves: Soane Vikena, Joshua Fusitu’a, Angus Tantal’avao, Cameron Suafoa, Anton Segner, Sam Nock, Harry Plummer, Cole Forbes
