A ‘menacing’ Wycliff Palu to lead a massive Waratahs bench against Brumbies

FORECASTING yet another brutal forward battle at Canberra Stadium, coach Daryl Gibson has loaded his bench with monsters, led by a Wallabies wrecking ball.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 21: Wycliff Palu of the Wallabies runs the ball during the International Test match between the Australia Wallabies and France at Allianz Stadium on June 21, 2014 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)

FORECASTING yet another brutal forward battle at Canberra Stadium, coach Daryl Gibson hopes back rower Wycliff Palu will lead a “menacing” calvary charge off the bench for NSW.

Gibson named a reserves list heavy on big bodies, with a six-two bench and 700kg of forward replacements, including Palu and Sam Lousi.

Palu hasn’t played since tearing a hamstring at the World Cup but Gibson said a bruising derby against the Brumbies was the “perfect situation” for the veteran to return.

“There is reason behind Cliffy coming back for such an important fixture,” Gibson said.

“I have elected a six-two bench, we know it is going to be a brutal physical encounter.

“I need lots of resources off the bench that I can call on, and Cliff, this is a perfect situation for him.”

Asked why it was perfect for Palu, Gibson said: “He is looking particularly menacing at training. He is a physical guy and his kind of spirit and mentality is something we’ll need on Friday night.”

Both the Brumbies and the Tahs possess great attacking weapons but the showdown will be won and lost upfront, and NSW admit they’ll have to improve on their set-pieces after a scratchy effort last week against the Reds.

“I was a bit disappointed with our set piece. We were a bit loose and failed to put pressure on the Reds at times,” Gibson said.

The Brumbies, contrastingly, have strengthened their scrum with loose-head Scott Sio returning to the starting side at the expense of impressive tyro Allan Alaalatoa.

Both are strong scrummagers and the Brumbies were celebrating yesterday after re-signing both props for another three years.

Australian rugby should be pleased too, believes Larkham. Sio, 24, is the incumbent Test No.1 but has plenty of improvement left and 22-year-old Alaalatoa is destined to join him in gold.

“I think you will see Allan in the Wallabies’ mix within the next 12 months as well,” Larkham said.

“It’s very good news for us. Those two are the cornerstone of our team.”

Wycliff Palu makes his return to rugby after tearing his hamstring at the World Cup. Pic Brett Costello

Larkham said the Brumbies would be well prepared to take on the physicality of the Waratahs in Canberra, not just because it’s a well-worn NSW strategy, but because the Tahs are a carbon-copy of the Hurricanes.

“We are lucky we have come up against very similar oppositions two weekends in a row,” he said.

“The Hurricanes are a very dangerous attacking side who throw the ball around a lot but also have very good forwards who carry the ball well. It is the same challenge as we had last week so I am sure the boys, once we get on the field, will find a way to win.

“They (NSW) are always very physical. They have probably had this tactic for the last few years, not just against us. They picked a six-two bench just about every game last year, as well.”

Originally published as A ‘menacing’ Wycliff Palu to lead a massive Waratahs bench against Brumbies