Folau has been absent for NSW lineup for the last three games with a throat injury, after being rested for the matches against the Sharks and the Stormers and then controversially withdrawn by the Australian Rugby Union for last week’s clash against the Force.
The try-scoring fullback has been officially cleared by the ARU and Waratahs medical staff to play against the Bulls and hasn’t missed a beat in the physical training sessions leading up to this weekend’s game.
The backline remains otherwise unchanged, with Rob Horne and Cam Crawford holding their places on the wings, and Kurtley Beale and Adam Ashley-Cooper continuing their partnership in the centres. In the halves, Nick Phipps and Bernard Foley line up alongside each other for the eighth straight game in 2014.
A strong performance in the scrums in the last two games has seen Cheika stick with the starting front row of Benn Robinson, Tatafu Polota Nau and Sekope Kepu.
After a dynamic display last week, Will Skelton again partners Kane Douglas in the second row.
The backrow consists of blindside flanker Jacques Potgeiter, who’ll be up against former Bulls teammates, Michael Hooper and skipper.
The bench has yet to be confirmed.
The match kicks off at 7.40pm and will be preceded from 5.30pm by a FREE Easter funday that includes a visit from the Easter Bunny, easter egg hunt, kids’ skills and drills zone and inflatable obstacle course, Tahs photo booth, members’ cap and backpack collections, face painting and Nova Street Team with giveaways. Full information is available from http://bit.ly/1h1E9gC.
EASTER SPECIAL: Special Easter family passes are available in advance for just $40 by using the code EASTER at http://bit.ly/1dWkTpW.
FREE SHUTTLE BUSES FOR TAHS FANS! Fans can show their ticket or membership card for free entry. Buses run from/to the CBD & Chatswood. Full info: http://bit.ly/1j3YG5s
NSW Waratahs team to play the Bulls
Allianz Stadium, Saturday April 19 (7.40pm)
1. Benn Robinson (Eastwood), 2. Tatafu Polota Nau (Parramatta), 3. Sekope Kepu (Randwick), 4.Will Skelton (Sydney University), 5. Kane Douglas (Southern Districts), 6. Jacques Potgieter (Eastern Suburbs), 7. Michael Hooper (Manly), 8. Dave Dennis (Sydney University, captain), 9. Nick Phipps (Sydney University), 10. Bernard Foley (Sydney University), 11. Rob Horne (Southern Districts), 12. Kurtley Beale (Randwick), 13. Adam Ashley-Cooper (Northern Suburbs), 14. Cam Crawford (Northern Suburbs), 15 Israel Folau (Sydney University).
Replacements: To be confirmed.
