Elsom back for the 'Tahs
Wed, 30 Apr 2008 11:19
Waratahs flank Rocky Elsom will return to his customary No.6 jersey for Saturday's crunch Super 14 clash with the Bulls in Pretoria.
Elsom has made a excellent recovery since being sidelined with a thigh injury earlier this month.
"The medical staff assessed it as a four-six week injury and he's only missed four matches so in that sense the recovery has been really good," said coach Ewen McKenzie.
"He's one of our most influential players so it was quite a blow to lose him when we did, but to their credit the rest of the guys stood up and we haven't missed a beat," he added.
With Elsom back at blindside flank, Dean Mumm moves back to lock while Will Caldwell will make his 50th appearance for the 'Tahs from the bench.
Al Baxter will start the match at tighthead prop while Matt Dunning is one of five forwards selected on
the bench in the face of what is certain to be a physical confrontation up front in
Pretoria.
"Al's [Baxter] been in good form and has had a significant impact in the second half of matches, and he deserves an opportunity in the starting line-up," said McKenzie.
Sekope Kepu has been selected as the extra front row forward after some excellent form for Randwick, while Brett Sheehan and Matt Carraro are the sole backs on the bench.
"I've said it before that selection is always one of the toughest parts of the week for us and when you look at the side this week you can see why," said McKenzie.
"I'm really pleased with the depth we've got at the moment.
"It's never easy in South Africa, let alone playing the Super 14 champions first-up at altitude, but we're going there confident we've got the players and the game to get the job done," added McKenzie.
Waratahs: 15 Sam Norton-Knight, 14 Lachie Turner, 13 Rob Horne, 12 Tom Carter, 11 Lote Tuqiri, 10 Kurtley Beale, 9 Luke Burgess, 8 Wycliff Palu, 7 Phil Waugh
(captain), 6 Rocky Elsom, 5 Dan Vickerman,
4 Dean Mumm, 3 Al Baxter, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 Benn Robinson.
Replacements: 16 Adam Freier, 17 Matt Dunning, 18 Will Caldwell, 19 David Lyons, 20 Sekope Kepu, 21 Matt Carraro, 22 Brett Sheehan.
Date: Saturday, May 3
Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Kick-off: 15.00 (13.00 GMT)
Referee: Lyndon Bray (New Zealand)
Touch judges: Brent Murray (New Zealand), Pro Legoete (South Africa)
Television match official: Michael Cupido (South Africa)
Assessor: Banks Yantolo (South Africa)
