BERRY’S Will Miller will captain the NSW Waratahs in their first pre-season trial match of the season, this Friday against the Highlanders in New Zealand.
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The game, in the Central Otago town of Alexandra, is the Waratahs’ first of two hit-outs before the Super Rugby season opener against the Hurricanes at Brookvale Oval on Saturday, February 16.
The second trial, next Thursday, will see the Waratahs face off against the ACT Brumbies in Goulburn.
NSW Waratahs coach Daryl Gibson said Friday’s match is an opportunity to assess how the team is tracking at this stage of the season.
“We have been in pre-season training for a couple of months now and the first hit out of the season will be a yardstick of how we are progressing,” Gibson said.
“At the same time, we are also giving opportunities to players who have been part of our program and some emerging talent who deserve a chance.
“These pre-season games are important for us to try out combinations and give our next generation of players exposure to international rugby.
“We have highlighted before the importance of creating depth in our squad and that is what we are working towards.”
Waratahs squad: 1. Harry Johnson-Holmes, 2. Andrew Tuala, 3. Shambeckler Vui, 4. Jed Holloway (vc), 5. Ryan McCauley, 6. Lachlan Swinton, 7. Will Miller ©, 8. Hugh Sinclair, 9. Mitch Short, 10. Mack Mason, 11. Cameron Clark, 12. Karmichael Hunt, 13. Lalakai Foketi, 14. Curtis Rona, 15. Alex Newsome, 16. JP Sauni, 17. Rory O’Connor, 18. Chris Talakai, 19. Le Roux Roets, 20. BJ Edwards, 21. Pat Tafa, 22. Jake Gordon, 23. Ben Donaldson, 24. Will Harrison, 25. Richard Woolf, 26. Will Harris and 27. Cody Walker.
