Daniel Halangahu a surprise Waratahs skipper
Daniel Halangahu is a surprise choice as Waratahs captain after Wallabies star Berrick Barnes was ruled out of Saturday night’s Super Rugby opener against the Queensland Reds with a groin strain.
New coach Michael Foley threw his support behind Halangahu, naming the 27-year-old as not only Barnes’ replacement at first five-eighth but also as team leader for the clash at ANZ Stadium.
Halangahu is the 17th most capped player in NSW rugby history, however he is spent a massive chunk of the past two seasons coming off the interchange bench.
The Sydney University No.10 is also expected to take over goal kicking duties, making him the key man in nearly every respect for the Waratahs huge clash with the defending champions.
When Barnes came from the field in the NSW final trial last Friday, it was seen as a mere precaution.
However, the Wallabies playmaker has failed to recover in time to play against his former side.
Wallabies prop Benn Robinson has been named as vice-captain and Foley stated he had no hesitation in thrusting Halangahu into the leadership hot seat.
“Berrick and Daniel shared the captaincy and the No.10 duties in both our trial matches and both were well placed to lead us in the first match,” Foley said.
“We are confident in Daniel’s capability as a player and a leader.”
Prized recruits Adam Ashley-Cooper and Sarel Pretorius will make their NSW Super Rugby debuts while young guns Brackin Karauria-Henry and Tom Kingston have been given their opportunities on the wings following the injury woes of Lachie Turner and Drew Mitchell.
Meanwhile, the Reds had a selection shock of their own today, naming Wallabies No.8 Radike Samo on the bench.
Reds coach Ewen McKenzie has opted to go with a smaller and more mobile back-row by selecting Jake Schatz instead of Samo at the back of the scrum.
McKenzie has rushed test flanker Scott Higginbotham back from a back injury which ruled him out of both of Queensland’s trial wins over the Brumbies and Western Force.
Hooker James Hanson will begin the match in place of regular No.2 Saia Faingaa who has a high ankle strain and may be sidelined for the opening fortnight of the season.
Blistering young winger Dom Shipperley also had his chance to begin following good pre-season form and a hamstring injury to Rod Davies.
McKenzie has opted for a forward heavy 5-2 split on the bench which includes veteran lock Van Humphries who has recovered from elbow surgery to play the first match of the year.
Rising flanker Liam Gill missed out to incumbent Beau Robinson in the battle for the hotly contested No7 jersey, but McKenzie has stressed the teenager will play a vital roll with Samo off the bench in the second half.
In good injury news for the Reds, Quade Cooper signalled a potential early playing return is on the cards as his recovery from injury continues ”very much ahead of schedule”.
The first five-eighth was in an expansive mood at a promotional event in Sydney yesterday, buoyed by a single, niggle-free kick off his right foot – his first since a knee injury ended his World Cup campaign last year.
”I was a bit nervous, like taking your first steps, that was my first kick off my right foot, I kicked them all off my left and then did one off my right, and it felt sweet,” he stated following a kicking and throwing competition with Waratahs rivals Drew Mitchell, Rocky Elsom and Brendan McKibbin at Sydney Harbour.
”It feels great, so I’ll be ringing the physio and saying I’m ready to begin kick practice again this week.”
The 23-year-old refused to put a timeline on his return to the Reds’ playing ranks but stated his rehabilitation was going well.
Cooper also threw his support behind New Zealander Mike Harris, who will debut as the Reds’ starting No 10.
”What he brings to the table is that he is very much a huge boy; he is about 95 kilos, he is very solid in attack,” he said.
”He’s more of a ball runner, so he will be able to take the ball onto the line and really get some front-foot ball for the boys if need be and … if there is no options, he is one who can truck it up [the field].”
Cooper also nominated Harris’s kicking skills as a strength, putting the Waratahs on notice that penalties conceded inside the 50-metre mark could be costly.
But in disappointing news for excitement-starved Sydney fans, Cooper warned not to anticipate the running rugby style which the Reds became known for last season.
”I’m sure the mindset … will be ‘take no prisoners’, come down here and do everything we can to go away with a win,” he said. ”That doesn’t mean come down here [to] necessarily entertain the crowd here.”
NSW Waratahs: Adam Ashley-Cooper, Tom Kingston, Rob Horne, Tom Carter, Brackin Karauria-Henry, Daniel Halangahu (captain), Sarel Pretorius; Wycliff Palu, Chris Alcock, Dave Dennis, Dean Mumm, Kane Douglas, Sekope Kepu, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Benn Robinson. Reserves: Damien Fitzpatrick, Paddy Ryan, Lopeti Timani, Jono Jenkins, Brendan McKibbin, Bernard Foley, Nathan Trist.
Queensland Reds: Luke Morahan, Dom Shipperley, Anthony Faingaa, Ben Tapuai, Digby Ioane, Mike Harris, Will Genia; Jake Schatz, Beau Robinson, Scott Higginbotham, James Horwill (captain), Rob Simmons, James Slipper, James Hanson, Ben Daley. Reserves: Albert Anae, Greg Holmes, Van Humphries, Radike Samo, Liam Gill, Ben Lucas, Jono Lance.
source : www.stuff.co.nz
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