The Waratahs have lost Berrick Barnes in the run up to their clash against the Crusaders in Nelson on Friday but Phil Waugh has been named in the team.
Phil Waugh will take his place in the team after sustaining a biceps injury against the Reds, and in doing so will become the first player to captain NSW 50 times at Super Rugby level.
Barnes suffered a knock to the head in the Waratahs 30-6 victory over the Reds at ANZ Stadium on Saturday.
The Waratahs have decided to rest Barnes as a precaution and means that Barnes will effectively have a three week break from rugby.
The Waratahs have a bye in Round Four and then in the fifth round they play the Cheetahs at the Sydney Football Stadium on Match the 19th.
Daniel Halangahu moves into the No.10 jersey which he wore on nine occasions in 2010 including a run of five straight victories which tied the Tahs’ record for most consecutive Super Rugby wins.
“The players’ welfare is always our primary concern, and after checking him out after training this morning we think it’s best to keep Berrick out this week, ” said head coach Chris Hickey.
“This is definitely a situation where we need to err on the side of caution and we’re lucky to have someone of Daniel’s experience to step straight in. ”
When Halangahu takes the field it will be his 41st Super Rugby cap at flyhalf which equals the NSW record currently held by Manny Edmonds.
Afa Pakalani, who scored two tries in the opening trial match of 2011 against the Fiji Warriors, moves onto the bench and will make his Super Rugby debut should he take the field.
The only other change to the match day squad sees Pat McCutcheon come onto the bench for the first time in 2011, in place of Chris Alcock.
McCutcheon returned to Rugby last week with a solid hit-out for the Junior Waratahs in the IRB Pacific Rugby Cup and is ready to return to Super Rugby after sustaining a back injury in the off-season.
“‘Cutch’ had a really big year in 2010; he captained Australian Sevens, made his Super Rugby debut, represented Australian Barbarians, played club Rugby for Sydney Uni, went to the Commonwealth Games and then went on the Spring Tour, ” said Hickey.
“He went back home to the farm over summer and it all probably caught up with him, but he’s ready to go now and I know he has his sights set on returning to the starting XV where he finished in 2011. ”
Prop Al Baxter has been selected to make his 118th appearance for NSW which takes him equal with Chris Whitaker on the all-time list. Only Phil Waugh, who makes his 130th appearance on Friday, has more state caps in the 129-year history of NSW Rugby.
Former Western Force and Northland lock Pat O’Connor will travel to New Zealand with the team as 23rd man.
Waratahs: 15. Kurtley Beale , 14. Lachie Turner , 13. Rob Horne , 12. Tom Carter , 11. Drew Mitchell , 10. Daniel Halangahu , 9. Luke Burgess , 8. Ben Mowen , 7. Phil Waugh[c] , 6. Dave Dennis , 5. Kane Douglas , 4. Dean Mumm , 3. Al Baxter , 2. Tatafu Polota-Nau , 1. Sekope Kepu
Reserves 16. Damien Fitzpatrick , 17. Benn Robinson , 18. Sitaleki Timani , 19. Pat McCutcheon , 20. Brendan McKibbin , 21. Ryan Cross , 22. Afa Pakalani , 23rd – Pat O’Connor