Karmichael Hunt and Adam Ashley-Cooper to start for Waratahs
It’s a sight no one in Super Rugby expected to see — Karmichael Hunt and Adam Ashley-Cooper as the round one starting centre combination for the Waratahs.
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NEITHER man was tipped to play Super Rugby again, but Karmichael Hunt and Adam Ashley-Cooper will be the starting centre combination for the Waratahs in round one.
The veterans have been named in the midfield after coach Daryl Gibson opted to rest Kurtley Beale from this match against the Hurricanes at Brookvale Oval on Saturday night.
It caps a remarkable journey for both men; Ashley-Cooper, 34, making a surprise return to NSW after three years overseas to chase a fourth World Cup campaign, Hunt, 32, given a lifeline after being snubbed by Queensland coach Brad Thorn for the entire 2018 season due to disciplinary and cultural issues.
Hunt is a straight swap for Beale, while a hamstring injury to Lalakai Foketi has rushed Ashley-Cooper into the No.13 jersey he occupied for years prior to his overseas sojourn.
Gibson wants both men to stiffen the Tahs’ defence, which last year leaked 67 tries.
“Both of them really thrive on the defensive side of the ball, I’ve said all year that’s the area of growth for this team, making sure we’re a tough prospect to break down,” Gibson said.
“And they bring that in spades just by being themselves, and so it’s been really easy to integrate them into our philosophy and mindset we’re trying to adopt.
“Karmichael’s inclusion allows us the ability to manage the workload of Kurtley, who was the Waratahs highest minute player in 2018.
“KB will get an extra week to prepare for the season ahead.
“This is a new approach for Australian rugby teams, rotating players and managing their world loads leading into a World Cup campaign.
“This is why we ensured we had depth in our squad so we have the flexibility while remaining competitive.”
Hunt is renowned for his tough tackling, while Ashley-Cooper remains one of the finest defensive communicators in Australian rugby, ensuring NSW is well equipped to deal with the rapid attacking threats the Hurricanes possess.
Ashley-Cooper scored two tries in a man-of-the-match performance in NSW’s grand final win over the Crusaders in 2014, but left the club after the following season to play in France and then Japan.
He was a shock call-up to the Wallabies squad on last year’s spring tour, playing against Italy, and is looking to join George Gregan as the only other Wallaby to play in four World Cups.
Hunt’s chequered ride from the NRL to French rugby to AFL back to NRL and then the Reds saw him ignored by Thorn for the duration of last year after he plead guilty to possessing a prescription drug, and he was strongly linked to an overseas move before NSW gave him a one-year deal.
The Wellington side has already confirmed superstar five-eighth Beauden Barrett will sit out this match as part of the All Blacks’ rest policy for the World Cup, but they’ll likely have powerhouses Ngani Laumape, Ben Lam and Ardie Savea targeting NSW’s tacklers.
The Tahs have named three potential debutants for the game; props Rory O’Connor and Chris Talakai, and lock Lachlan Swinton.
“It’s pleasing to also have potential Super Rugby debutants in Rory, Chris and Lachy among our 23 who have all earned their spots given their efforts throughout our pre-season,” Gibson said.
The match, close to a sellout, will pit the two losing semi-finalists of last year against each other.
NSW went from 16th in 2017 to the semis last season, losing to the Lions in Johannesburg, while the Canes were defeated in their semi against eventual champions the Crusaders.
The Hurricanes and Tahs didn’t play each other last year, but the Kiwis defeated NSW 38-28 in Wellington in 2017 and also the previous encounter in Sydney, but they have never won back-to-back games here in their history.
NSW Waratahs vs Wellington Hurricanes
Saturday, 7.45pm, Brookvale Oval, Live on Fox Sports
Waratahs: 15. Israel Folau 14. Alex Newsome 13. Adam Ashley-Cooper 12. Karmichael Hunt 11. Curtis Rona 10. Bernard Foley 9. Jake Gordon 8. Jack Dempsey 7. Michael Hooper (captain) 6. Ned Hanigan 5. Rob Simmons 4. Jed Holloway 3. Sekope Kepu 2. Damien Fitzpatrick 1. Harry Johnson-Holmes.
Reserves: 16. Tolu Latu 17. Rory O’Connor 18. Chris Talakai 19. Lachlan Swinton 20. Will Miller 21. Mitch Short 22. Mack Mason 23. Cam Clark.
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Originally published as Karmichael Hunt and Adam Ashley-Cooper to start for Waratahs
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