Hold onto your hats, rugby fans, because the Waratahs are rolling out the big guns for their high-octane clash with the British & Irish Lions this Saturday in Sydney. The lineup is peppered with Wallabies, featuring the likes of Taniela Tupou and Andrew Kellaway, both of whom have been temporarily repatriated from national duties by Wallabies head honcho Joe Schmidt for this blockbuster match.
Tupou, affectionately known as the 'Tongan Thor', and Kellaway join five other Australian internationals in the Waratahs' squad under the strategic eye of coach Dan McKellar. The backline looks particularly spicy with Kellaway taking the right wing, flanked by Lawson Creighton and Darby Lancaster, while the midfield duo of Lalakai Foketi and Joey Walton promises some solid action. The scrum-half and fly-half jerseys will be donned by Jack Bowen and Teddy Wilson, respectively.
In the forwards, the narrative is just as compelling. Veteran Hugh Sinclair, in his final professional outing, will captain the side from the number eight position, with Charlie Gamble and Rob Leota as his flanker partners. The engine room features Miles Amatosero and Fergus Lee-Warner at lock, while the front row is anchored by Tupou, hooker Ethan Dobbins, and prop Tom Lambert.
"It's a big game. Everyone wants to play in it. Like every week, the boys all want to be involved,"
McKellar shared with reporters, highlighting the magnetic pull of such a prestigious fixture.
McKellar praised the returning Wallabies, particularly emphasizing Tupou’s impact in the scrum and Kellaway's dual-threat capabilities.
"Nela at scrum time and Kells’ experience on both sides of the ball. It’s invaluable,"
he noted. As for Tupou, McKellar laid out clear expectations:
"To go out there in set piece first and foremost, back that up with physicality and [show] the ability to repeat it,"
he said, outlining a game plan that focuses heavily on dominance up front.
The scene is set for what promises to be a riveting encounter at Allianz Stadium, with the action kicking off at 20:00 local time. With a lineup bristling with talent and a farewell game for Sinclair, the stage couldn't be bigger for the Waratahs to potentially tame the Lions.
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Hold onto your hats, rugby fans, because the Waratahs are rolling out the big guns for their high-octane clash with the British & Irish Lions this Saturday in Sydney. The lineup is peppered with Wallabies, featuring the likes of Taniela Tupou and Andrew Kellaway, both of whom have been temporarily repatriated from national duties by Wallabies head honcho Joe Schmidt for this blockbuster match.
Tupou, affectionately known as the 'Tongan Thor', and Kellaway join five other Australian internationals in the Waratahs' squad under the strategic eye of coach Dan McKellar. The backline looks particularly spicy with Kellaway taking the right wing, flanked by Lawson Creighton and Darby Lancaster, while the midfield duo of Lalakai Foketi and Joey Walton promises some solid action. The scrum-half and fly-half jerseys will be donned by Jack Bowen and Teddy Wilson, respectively.
In the forwards, the narrative is just as compelling. Veteran Hugh Sinclair, in his final professional outing, will captain the side from the number eight position, with Charlie Gamble and Rob Leota as his flanker partners. The engine room features Miles Amatosero and Fergus Lee-Warner at lock, while the front row is anchored by Tupou, hooker Ethan Dobbins, and prop Tom Lambert.
"It's a big game. Everyone wants to play in it. Like every week, the boys all want to be involved,"
McKellar shared with reporters, highlighting the magnetic pull of such a prestigious fixture.McKellar praised the returning Wallabies, particularly emphasizing Tupou’s impact in the scrum and Kellaway's dual-threat capabilities.
"Nela at scrum time and Kells’ experience on both sides of the ball. It’s invaluable,"
he noted. As for Tupou, McKellar laid out clear expectations:"To go out there in set piece first and foremost, back that up with physicality and [show] the ability to repeat it,"
he said, outlining a game plan that focuses heavily on dominance up front.The scene is set for what promises to be a riveting encounter at Allianz Stadium, with the action kicking off at 20:00 local time. With a lineup bristling with talent and a farewell game for Sinclair, the stage couldn't be bigger for the Waratahs to potentially tame the Lions.