Injuries force Waratahs to name part-time security guard Elvis Taione to squad for Blues clash
Waratahs head coach has announced the match 22 for Waratahs on Thursday, June 23 at Eden Park. Among the players announced for the Friday’s match, the most interesting is the inclusion of the Elvis Taione.
Elvis Taione works as a security guard in a shopping mall and numerous injuries to the Waratahs first-choice players has helped him make his debut for Waratahs. Additionally, Australian Sevens captain Bernard Foley is also named on the bench.
Waratahs is one of two Australian Super Rugby Franchises that made it into the play-offs of the 2011 Super Rugby champions. Waratahs will take on the Blues on Friday, June 24 in the first of the two quarter-finals of the Super XV.
However, Waratahs match preparations was dealt a blow after the trio of Tatafu Polota-Nau with knee injury, Daniel Halangahu with hamstring and Al Baxter with head knock were ruled out of Friday’s clash. This was followed by a hand injury to their fly half
Luke Burgess during a practice session to take the Waratahs injury’s toll to 15.
Hickey has expressed his confidence in the relatively new players and believes they have gelled quickly with the team and are acting as one unit. He added that players' know the importance of the occasion, and will give their all in Friday’s important match.
Hickey further added, "If you've had a settled line-up all year and then things are thrown around in a semi-final week it might cause a bit of panic. However, we haven't been able to field the same team week to week in almost four months, so we're used to
changing things around. The players who have come in from club rugby have taken everything in their stride.”
Waratahs squad for the Friday’s clash against the Blues include
15. Lachie Turner , 14. Atieli Pakalani , 13. Ryan Cross , 12. Tom Carter , 11. Sosene Anesi , 10. Kurtley Beale , 9. Josh Holmes , 8. Dave Dennis , 7. Phil Waugh [c] , 6. Dean Mumm , 5. Sitaleki Timani , 4. Kane Douglas , 3. Paddy Ryan , 2. John Ulugia
, 1. Benn Robinson ,
Reserves: 16. Elvis Taione , 17. Jeremy Tilse , 18. Pat O'Connor , 19. Chris Alcock , 20. Hugh Perrett , 21. Brendan McKibbin , 22. Bernard Foley
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