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Queenslander Izaia Perese headlines Waratahs’ team for Super Rugby derby
By Finn Morton
Queensland-born Waratahs centre Izaia Perese knows what it’s like to represent both states. Perese played for the Reds and later the Brisbane Broncos in the NRL before jumping back to rugby union.
Perese, who has played a handful of Tests in Aussie gold, has been named in an all-Wallabies midfield for the Waratahs along with teammate Lalakai Foketi. The pair started alongside one another in the Wallabies’ final match at last year’s Rugby World Cup in France.
With pre-season now out of the way, the Waratahs seem to be itching for the season to start against their great rivals.
“The good thing about trials is that you can really try and work on the basics and not give away too much,” Perese said in a statement.
“Now that it’s Round One, we’ve got a clean slate and we’re looking to showcase what we can bring.
“I think we’ll be able to go up there and do a job this weekend.
“Being a Queenslander and playing for the Tahs as well, I’m very fortunate to have played on both sides.
“It’s pretty funny, I know the feeling on both ends. I know how they’re going to be coming into the game and we’ve just got to match it.”
Perese recovered from an ankle complaint to feature in last week’s trial, and after signalling an intent to play in the opening round, the Wallaby will do just that.
Rising Max Jorgensen also returned form injury with 40 minutes in a trial against the Warringah Rat and Manly Marlins on Saturday, but the youngster has been on the bench.
But in some good news, Waratahs cans can look forward to seeing two of the team’s big-name recruits – big in stature, as well – take the field for their official debuts.
Lock Miles Amatosero will start alongside Jed Holloway, and Fergus Lee-Warner has been named at No. 6. Lee-Warner joins Charlie Gamble and Langi Gleeson in the backrow.
Captain Jake Gordon partners Tane Edmed in the halves, and outside of the previously mentioned midfield, Dylan Pietsch, Mark Nawaqanitawase and Joey Walton are the outside backs.
The Waratahs’ season opener away to the Queensland Reds is set to kick-off at 6.30 pm AEDT on Saturday evening. It’s the final game in the opening round of the season.
Waratahs team to take on Reds
- Angus Bell
- Mahe Vailanu
- Harry Johnson-Holmes
- Jed Holloway
- Miles Amatosero*
- Fergus Lee-Warner*
- Charlie Gamble
- Langi Gleeson
- Jake Gordon (c)
- Tane Edmed
- Dylan Pietsch
- Lalakai Foketi
- Izaia Perese
- Mark Nawaqanitawase
- Joey Walton
Reserves
- Theo Fourie**
- Hayden Thompson-Stringer**
- Daniel Botha
- Sam Thomson**
- Hugh Sinclair
- Teddy Wilson
- Harry Wilson
- Max Jorgensen
*Denotes debut **Denotes potential debut
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Latest Comments
Ford completely took the energy out the game for us, waving his hands telling people to calm down. Just for us to die off and lose the momentum.
Bringing him on all the time to ‘close out’ games is condescending to Smith. Get Ford out and let Marcus Smith & Fin Smith run the show. The future is them so give them the keys and let them get on with it.
Go to commentsTaking Marcus Smith off was a big puzzle and probably cost England the game. However, Abs created more opportunities and scored some tries but left a lot out there through sloppy execution, not playing to the ref and no enforcement of English off-side play. The fact the game was close all through made it worth watching but it was a frustrating pectacle. English succeeded in slowing the game down and were in the refs ear which Gardner allowed. I think Ireland or France will punish the sloppy execution more than England so still much for ABs to work on.
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