Waratahs fans to get first glimpse of Israel Folau’s new centre partner Irae Simone
LOTTOLAND will provide the first sighting of an exciting new centre pairing many are tipping to be a prize-winning ticket for the Waratahs in Super Rugby this year.
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LOTTOLAND will provide the first sighting of an exciting new centre pairing many are tipping to be a prize-winning ticket for the Waratahs in Super Rugby this year.
Star Wallaby Israel Folau will return to action for NSW in their trial against the Highlanders at the northern beaches venue formerly known as Brookvale Oval on Thursday night, but just as many eyes will be on his midfield partner Irae Simone.
After joining the Waratahs as a rookie over the summer, Simone is set to line up at No.12, outside Wallaby pivot Bernard Foley and inside Folau.
Simone is a Kiwi-raised, former South Sydney Rabbitohs’ under-20s player who switched back to rugby last year. He was so outstanding Simone won the Shute Shield rookie of the year award, NRC player of the year gong and a contract with the Tahs.
The 21-year-old is rated highly and though likely to share game time with David Horwitz against the Highlanders, Simone’s maturity and talent has him firmly in contention for a starting role in the opening round of Super Rugby against the Force next week.
The Waratahs will roll out all their remaining Wallabies players in the final trial, with Foley, Michael Hooper, Nick Phipps, Dean Mumm and Sekope Kepu joining the Tahs’ side that pumped the Brumbies in Mudgee.
Foley sat out a rain-soaked training session on Tuesday but officials said the No.10 would take his place in the trial team.
Jed Holloway will miss the trial and the opening Super Rugby round, at least, after suffering a hamstring strain. His No.8 spot will be taken by new recruit Michael Wells, who has joined the Tahs from the Brumbies.
The Waratahs had a heavily football-based approach to pre-season fitness, and have done intense contact work all through summer.
A bruising session at NSW training yesterday was another good indication of how the Waratahs want to play, Wells said.
“We are building well on our identity of being that tough team, that you know when you play us you know you are in for a hard game. Obviously the Kiwis stepped up last year but we want to draw them back and be that leading Australian team,” Wells said.
It didn’t count for anything but the 53-17 trial win over the Brumbies in Mudgee was a good boost for the team, according to Wells, and a clash against the Highlanders’ clash with another good opportunity to build momentum for the start of the Super Rugby season.
The Highlanders were runners-up in Super Rugby last year.
“They (trials) don’t count for anything but they can give you confidence and we are a young team and confidence is probably the biggest thing for us,” Wells said. “Putting out such a solid performance, while there were still things to work on, it was a great foundation to build our season and our identity on.”
Originally published as Waratahs fans to get first glimpse of Israel Folau’s new centre partner Irae Simone
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