Waratahs v Brumbies - Super Rugby match preview
NSW Waratahs take on tournament-leading ACT Brumbies in Saturday's Australian conference derby in Sydney.
Last Updated: 18/05/13 11:02am
Players from both sides will be hoping to impress as the first Wallabies squad for the Lions tour is named 16 hours later.
The side from New South Wales have made significant improvement since they were beaten 35-6 by the ACT in the tournament's fourth round, but the Brumbies have won the last three clashes in this derby.
Prop Paddy Ryan will make his fourth start this season tighthead prop in place of Sekope Kepu is one of two changes to coach Michael Cheika's Tahs side that last week edged the Stormers 21-15.
Wallabies winger Drew Mitchell has also been elevated from the bench to replace Peter Betham while Kepu will start from the bench following a problem with his calf along with Berrick Barnes.
Brumbies coach Jake White has made two changes to his side that lost to the Crusaders last time out.
Scott Fardy, who sustaining an ankle injury last month and Scott Sio have been promoted to the starting XV.
Fardy returns to the second row alongside Sam Carter, with Peter Kimlin moving back to blindside flanker and Fotu Auelua to the bench.
Meanwhile, Sio returns to loose-head prop at the expense of tight-head Dan Palmer.
Waratahs: 15. Israel Folau, 14. Cam Crawford, 13. Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12. Rob Horne, 11. Drew Mitchell, 10. Bernard Foley, 9. Brendan McKibbin, 8. Wycliff Palu, 7. Michael Hooper, 6. Dave Dennis, 5. Kane Douglas, 4. Sitaleki Timani, 3. Paddy Ryan, 2. Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1. Benn Robinson.
Replacements: 16. John Ulugia, 17. Sekope Kepu, 18. Will Skelton, 19. Mitchell Chapman, 20. Matt Lucas, 21. Berrick Barnes, 22. Peter Betham.
Brumbies: 15. Jesse Mogg, 14. Henry Speight, 13. Tevita Kuridrani, 12. Christian Lealiifano, 11. Joseph Tomane, 10. Matt Toomua, 9. Nic White, 8. Ben Mowen (capt), 7. George Smith, 6. Peter Kimlin, 5. Sam Carter, 4. Scott Fardy, 3. Ben Alexander, 2. Stephen Moore, 1. Scott Sio.
Replacements: 16. Siliva Siliva, 17. Ruan Smith, 18. Fotu Auelua, 19. Colby Faingaa, 20. Ian Prior, 21. Pat McCabe, 22. Robbie Coleman.
What they said...
Brumbies boss Jake White on the return of Scott Sio
"We played against the Sharks, (Sio) started, we got the four-try bonus point and then he started against the Force and we got the four-try bonus point.
"He definitely adds something to our pack."