The Waratahs have named a 24-man squad for their Super Rugby Qualifier with the Blues on Friday at Eden Park in Auckland.
The touring party is scheduled to arrive in Auckland on Tuesday night with their flight not expected to be affected by the ash cloud which has grounded some flights out of Sydney.
The squad is without Tatafu Polota-Nau, Daniel Halangahu and Al Baxter who were all ruled out with injuries suffered in Saturday’s 41-7 victory over the Brumbies at ANZ Stadium.
Ben Batger, Brendan McKibbin and Paddy Ryan were added to the squad along with hooker Elvis Taione and versatile back Bernard Foley who have both been brought in from club Rugby.
Head coach Chris Hickey said he was confident the team could overcome the injury-enforced changes.
“We haven’t been able to field the same starting XV week-to-week since February so we’re quite used to dealing with this type of scenario,” said Hickey.
“We’ve also had to call on players from club Rugby throughout the year, particularly in the last month and a half, and whenever we’ve had to they’ve shown they’re up to the mark.
“The disruptions aren’t ideal, but they provide a challenge and we’ve seen over the past month that this team stands up pretty well then those challenges are thrown at them.”
Hickey said the squad was in good spirits following the weekend’s victory, however focus has shifted quickly to the Blues.
“It was a very satisfying performance against the Brumbies, but all that’s earned us is an opportunity,” said Hickey.
“What we do with that opportunity comes down to our performance against the Blues on Friday.”
Waratahs Squad v Blues
Chris Alcock (Eastwood), Sosene Anesi (Hunters Hill), Ben Batger (Eastwood), Kurtley Beale (Randwick), Luke Burgess (Sydney University), Tom Carter (Sydney University), Ryan Cross (Eastern Suburbs), Kane Douglas (Southern Districts), Dave Dennis (Sydney University), Bernard Foley (Sydney University), Josh Holmes (Warringah), Brendan McKibbin (Eastern Suburbs), Dean Mumm (Sydney University), Pat O’Connor (Eastern Suburbs), Atieli Pakalani (Randwick), Hugh Perrett (Eastwood), Benn Robinson (Eastwood), Paddy Ryan (Sydney University), Elvis Taione (Manly), Jeremy Tilse (Sydney University), Sitaleki Timani (Southern Districts), Lachie Turner (Eastwood), John Ulugia (Southern Districts), Phil Waugh [c] (Sydney University).