'Tahs opt for Tuqiri at No.15
Thu, 08 May 2008 16:47
Lote Tuqiri will start at fullback for the Waratahs when they take on the Stormers in a vital Round 13 Super 14 clash against the Stormers in Cape Town on Saturday.
Tuqiri's shift to No.15 has handed Matt Carraro is first Super 14 start.
Regular fullback Sam Norton-Knight has been demoted to the bench.
"Matt's [Carraro] been impressive for us off the bench and deserves his start at Newlands," said coach Ewen McKenzie.
Carraro was grateful for the chance to start in the No.11 jersey.
"It was tough start to the year with injury but it's a great reward to be starting at Newlands after putting in some hard work," Carraro said.
"Although I'm on the wing the back three have been given a licence to roam and between the three of us we have wing, fullback the centres covered," he added.
Coach McKenzie said the backline tweaks will provide some spark for the Stormers clash.
"Lote [Tuqiri] plays a lot at the back during most matches anyway but we might be able to get a little more thrust out of him at fullback that might threaten the Stormers defence with some extra space and more touches of the ball," he said.
The return of Timana Tahu will bring even more big game experience to the matchday 22.
"We've got guys here who've played in Super Rugby Finals over the last few years but this kind of cauldron will be new to a lot of young players in the team and having Timana [Tahu] play off the bench brings just that little bit more big game experience to the side," McKenzie said.
"I think we've timed his comeback well and he'll play a crucial role like the other 21 players on Saturday.
"In the end all we've done is move a couple of guys around. The only new face in the match day 22 in the backs is Timana," added the coach.
McKenzie said prop Al Baxter is progressing well after copping a blow to the face at training on Tuesday and remains optimistic that he'll be fit to play.
Rookie Dan Palmer is on standby after arriving in Cape Town.
Waratahs: 15 Lote Tuqiri, 14 Lachie Turner, 13 Rob Horne, 12 Tom Carter, 11 Matt Carraro, 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 Sekope Kepu, 18 Will Caldwell , 19 David Lyons, 20 Brett Sheehan, 21 Sam Norton-Knight, 22 Timana Tahu.
Date: Saturday, May 10
Venue: Newlands Stadium, Cape Town
Kick-off: 19.10 (17.10 GMT)
Referee: Lyndon Bray (New Zealand)
Touch judges: Brent Murray (New Zealand), Christie du Preez (South Africa)
Television match official: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa)
