A HOST of Wallabies will be on show at Shoalhaven Ricoh Rugby Park tomorrow as the NSW HSBC Waratahs face the Emirates Western Force in Super Rugby trial matches.
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In a history making day for the local area, it will be the first time Super Rugby action has ever come to the Shoalhaven.
With the Super Rugby season just a week away, both sides will be looking for big hit outs.
And both have named strong line-ups for the two local clashes, which start with the Waratahs A and Force A sides playing the first trial at 5:30pm, while the Waratahs and Force first 15 sides will play in the main game kicking off at 7:30pm.
The Waratahs will be welcoming back their Wallaby stars, after having had time off from training following their return from the Wallabies European Tour, and players such as Kurtley Beale, Berrick Barnes and Drew Mitchell will be back in the sky blue of the Waratahs.
The Waratahs will also welcome back from injury Wallaby Wycliff Palu, so will be fielding a near Test strength side.
However Benn Robinson (calf) and Rob Horne (elbow) have been left out of the match day squads, but continue to train with the team in the lead-up to the match.
The Emirates Western Force will also be fielding a side packed with Wallabies, led by Nathan Sharpe.
The Wallabies back row consisting of David Pocock, Ben McCalman and Matt Hodgson will be playing, with James O’Connor adding flair to the Force backline.
Ex-Waratahs Matt Dunning and Brett Sheehan will also add a touch of spice to the game, when they line up against their old side.
It will be tremendous to see players of this calibre playing in the Shoalhaven area.
Local officials are expecting Shoalhaven Ricoh Rugby Park to be bursting at the seams for this big night of rugby.
Tickets for the games are still available from the Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre at www.shoalhavenentertainment.com.au and are only $20 for adults and $10 for children with family tickets for $50, and will also be available at the gate tomorrow night.
The Shoalhaven Rugby Club is also hosting a Waratahs’ gala dinner tonight at the Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre.
It is not often that you would get the opportunity to mix with Wallaby players, and hear stories about their exploits in Test matches throughout the world, so this is a once in a lifetime chance.
The Waratahs will be represented by captain Phil Waugh, coach Chris Hickey and Wallabies Berrick Barnes and Benn Robinson, while the Western Force will be represented by captain Nathan Sharpe, coach Richard Graham, and Wallabies James O’Connor and David Pocock.