Waratahs hopefuls to take on full strength Brumbies in trial match ahead of Super Rugby season

DARYL Gibson says a trial against a Wallaby-laden Brumbies side presents a perfect opportunity for Waratah fringe players to press Super Rugby claims.

Jake Gordon and other fringe Waratahs have an opportunity to impress against a star-studded Brumbies outfit.

WARATAHS coach Daryl Gibson says a trial against a Wallaby-laden Brumbies side on Saturday will present a perfect opportunity for fringe NSW candidates to press their Super Rugby claims.

The Tahs will take on the Brumbies in Mudgee but having arranged different trial schedules this month, NSW have elected to rest the majority of their Test stars.

Those big guns will mostly return in a second trial against the Highlanders at Brookvale Oval on February 16 but with only the Brisbane Tens remaining before the start of Super Rugby, the Brumbies will roll out many of their big names for Saturday.

Seven Test players will start — including Scott Fardy and Tevita Kuridrani — for the ACT but Tom Robertson will be the sole Spring Tour Wallaby on deck for NSW.

Tom Robertson will offer experience in an effective development side for NSW.

“​We are the only Australian​ team with another trial I believe so we are very fortunate that our timeline is a bit different to other teams, and we will use that in terms of our preparation and know that game time for those Wallabies can extend out another week or so,” Gibson said.

“It does shine a spotlight on all those players who are vying for spots, all those young players.

“Given our different preparation times, I would expect a lot of the top-line Brumbies guys to play good minutes and that’s a great opportunity for some of young guys to show us what they’ve got.”

Gibson said he will be keeping a keen eye on two key areas of competition: halfback and hooker.

Sydney uni no. 9 Jake Gordon, who was a standout for the NSW Country Eagles in the NRC last year, will start ahead of Matt Lucas. Nick Phipps is the incumbent halfback but Gordon is pressing hard to jump up from his role as third no. 9 in the squad last year.

Rookie Irae Simone will start at no. 13 with big things expected of him.

“I certainly have been impressed by Jake and his development and he is certainly going to be pushing Matt and Nick all the way,” he said.

​Vying to replace the departed Tatafu Polota-Nau, Hugh Roach, Tolu Latu and Damien Fitzpatrick will all get equal minutes in Mudgee, said Gibson.

Robertson will play at loose-head along with the rising David Lolohea at tight head.

New recruit Mack Mason will start at no. 10, and boom rookie Irae Simone — who many are tipping as a potential starting no. 12 alongside Israel Folau this year — will turn out at no. 13. David Horwitz will play inside centre.

Former Brumbies backrower Michael Wells will start at no. 8 after impressing at pre-season training, said Gibson.

Sevens recruit Cam Clark wasn’t considered due to an ankle injury, but fellow ex-Australian sevens player Con Foley has been added to an extended bench as a centre.

Originally published as Waratahs hopefuls to take on full strength Brumbies in trial match ahead of Super Rugby season