NSW Waratahs coach Daryl Gibson has backed last weekend’s match winner Ned Hanigan to make a smooth adjustment from number six to the second row against the Sharks as the Waratahs prepare to unleash what the NSW coach believes is the group’s strongest scrummager, in Fijian prop Kalivati Tawake.
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A quad injury to Rob Simmons has prompted Gibson to reshuffle his three men at the back of the scrum.
It means Hanigan will feature in the second row alongside Tom Staniforth for the Waratahs’ second match of the Super Rugby season in Durban on Saturday (Sunday AEDT).
Jed Holloway has been promoted to the starting side at number eight with Michael Wells moving from his preferred position to number six.
Michael Hooper remains at number seven, while the front row remains unchanged from the team that accounted for the Stormers 34-27 in Sydney.
Rookie Nick Palmer could have been thrown into the deep end in what would have been his first starting Super Rugby appearance but Gibson has opted to keep him on a 5-3 bench.
Hanigan has only played two of his 16 Super Rugby games as a starting second-rower for the Waratahs, with both of those outings coming in the final two forgettable matches of last season against the Jaguares and Force.
The 22-year-old is no stranger to the second row and will be high on confidence after crossing for an after-the-siren try against the Stormers at Allianz Stadium on Saturday.
“Ned knew all along being in the [second] row was a likely scenario,” Gibson said.
“He’s not fazed by it and I think he’ll do very well.
“We set out the season with him picked firstly as a dynamic lock.
“As the season progressed, we got a better look at combinations and without Jack Dempsey, we decided Ned was better at six.
“This is the best combination for us to go with.”
Gibson has named an unchanged back line but there are serious question marks about the depth on the Waratahs bench.
Three players – including Berry’s Will Miller, as well as Kalivati Tawake and Mitch Short – are in line to make their Waratahs debuts, while Harry Johnson-Holmes and Nick Palmer played in their maiden Super Rugby games last week.
Gibson will hope a lack of experience and a relatively small forward pack will be bolstered by the inclusion of Tawake, a Fijian international tight-head prop.
“He’s probably our best scrummager and he’s shown he’s incredibly strong,” Gibson said.
“We know that is a major focus area for this game.
“We know the Sharks are very good there, so we know we’re going to have to perform this weekend.
“From the outset we knew we were going to be small.
“We’re giving away a weight and size advantage this weekend, which means we’re going to have to seize upon our dynamism and make sure we’re sharp and shift the ball.
“They are a very strong set-piece team.
“They’re physical, they run hard and direct, and that’s what we’re preparing ourselves for.”
Gibson said the Waratahs wanted to reduce the number of turnovers this weekend and be able to exit better out of their own area under pressure.
“I reckon we’ve prepared better than we have last week,” Gibson said.
“That’s a good sign and the boys are confident.”
Waratahs team to face Sharks on Sunday at 12.05am AEDT
(1-15): Tom Robertson, Damien Fitzpatrick, Paddy Ryan, Ned Hanigan, Tom Staniforth, Michael Wells, Michael Hooper (c), Jed Holloway, Jake Gordon, Bernard Foley, Curtis Rona, Kurtley Beale, Lalakai Foketi, Andrew Kellaway, Israel Folau.
Reserves: Hugh Roach, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Kalivati Tawake, Nick Palmer, Will Miller, Mitch Short, Bryce Hegarty, Alex Newsome.
