NSW Waratahs captain Jake Gordon wants his side to show they are “a team that really fights” in spirit on Saturday when they play the ACT Brumbies in their last trial at Bowral before Super Rugby Pacific starts on 14 February.
Speaking after the ‘Captain’s Run’ at their base in Daceyville, Sydney on Friday, Gordon said he is excited to play his first game with the NSW Waratahs this season since returning to the team from Wallabies commitments.
It is the same for the other players who have returned from Wallabies duties and have been selected by Head Coach Dan McKellar for the game at Eridge Park in Bowral on Saturday.
The NSW Waratahs team is a strong line-up with thirteen Wallabies named in the side. From the starting XV, ten of them are Wallabies, including Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii on debut at fullback; while another three have been selected on the bench.
One addition to the team was made on Friday, with outside back Archie Saunders being added to the bench, making the game squad twenty-eight strong.
“We're excited ... We understand that it's probably our first proper hit out together [with the returning players], and there's going to be a little bit of teething in that,” Gordon said.
“We want to be a team that really fights [in spirit]. We want to be a team that fights for those positions on the ground and has a really gritty defence.
“We've made some pretty big fixes … or things thought were a priority which we've really put some time into.
“There is definitely some behavioural stuff we have been working on, and we want to see that come to life on Saturday.
“We're not aiming for perfection, but we're aiming to see some genuine intent in terms of attacking.
“The result is somewhat important, but it's not everything. We know there's going to be clunky moments. We don't want to put any added extra pressure on ourselves.
“We want to play some of our rugby. I'm pretty confident you'll see that in large parts of the game. And it's more around our work rate in our fight and our energy.”
- Loosehead Prop Angus Bell
2. Hooker David Porecki
3. Tighthead Prop Daniel Botha
4. Left Lock Ben Grant
5. Right Lock Miles Amatosero
6. Left Flanker Rob Leota
7. Right Flanker Charlie Gamble
8. Number Eight Langi Gleeson
9. Scrumhalf Jake Gordon (C)
10. Flyhalf Tane Edmed
11. Left Wing Max Jorgensen
12. Inside Centre Joey Walton
13. Outside Centre Lalakai Foket
14. Right Wing Andrew Kellaway
15. Fullback Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii
16. Reserve Julian Heavan
17. Reserve Isaac Kailea
18. Reserve Felix Kalipu
19. Reserve Hugh Sinclair
20. Reserve Jamie Adamson
21. Reserve Triston Reilly
22. Reserve Lawson Creighton
23. Reserve Darby Lancaster
24. Reserve Jack Grant
25. Reserve Henry O'Donnell
26. Reserve Leafi Talataina
--- Reserve Archie Saunders
28. Reserve Taniela Tupou
- Archie Saunders will play with a un-numbered jersey
When: at 3 pm Saturday, 1 February 2025
Where: Eridge Oval, Bowral
Saturday’s trial is a ticketed event for the public. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1327371
Please Note: Parking at the ground is very limited and all parking must be pre-purchased online. Parking passes are available at https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1327371"
The game will be broadcast live and free on NSW Rugby TV https://www.nswrugbytv.com.au/
