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Sydney - Waratahs skipper Phil Waugh, powerful No 8 Wycliff Palu and inside centre Tom Carter have all rushed back from injury to be named in a beefed-up Waratahs team for Saturday's Vodacom Super Rugby battle against the Reds.
Waratahs coach Chris Hickey on Wednesday made four changes to his starting XV for the Suncorp Stadium grudge match by recalling the experienced trio and promoting rising lock Sitaleki Timani.
Star back Kurtley Beale has also been retained at flyhalf for the interstate clash after the Waratahs considered shifting him back to fullback following their 31-17 loss to the Blues in Auckland.
Waugh has overcome a calf strain while both Carter and Palu have shrugged off hamstring problems to be fit for the table-topping Reds, who are searching to end a seven-match losing streak in the Templeton Cup.
They combine for 243-caps worth of experience for the Waratahs.
"We've used 31 players already this year and we still have eight players on the sidelines so it's nice to be able to bring so much experience back into the team," said Hickey.
"Phil was touch-and-go to be ready in Auckland and I know he loves nothing more than fronting up to take on the Reds.
"Cliff has had a frustrating year or so with injuries but he's always remained positive and worked really hard on his rehab and Tom is also really excited to be coming back for a match as big as this."
Carter's return means Daniel Halangahu drops to the bench, as do flanks Dave Dennis and Pat McCutcheon, for Waugh and Palu.
Timani, who scored a last-minute match-winning try against the Brumbies in round six, will make his first start in the second row with Kane Douglas demoted to the bench.
"With Kane Douglas, Dave Dennis and Pat McCutcheon all on the bench, we have a lot of options to play with and we know going into this match that well need all 22 players to do a job for us," Hickey said.
Teams
Reds:
TBA
Waratahs:
15 Lachie Turner, 14 Tom Kingston, 13 Ryan Cross, 12 Tom Carter, 11 Drew Mitchell, 10 Kurtley Beale, 9 Luke Burgess, 8 Wycliff Palu, 7 Phil Waugh (captain), 6 Ben Mowen, 5 Sitaleki Timani, 4 Dean Mumm, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 Benn Robinson
Substitutes: 16 John Ulugia, 17 Al Baxter, 18 Kane Douglas, 19 Dave Dennis, 20 Pat McCutcheon, 21 Brendan McKibbin, 22 Daniel Halangahu
Waratahs coach Chris Hickey on Wednesday made four changes to his starting XV for the Suncorp Stadium grudge match by recalling the experienced trio and promoting rising lock Sitaleki Timani.
Star back Kurtley Beale has also been retained at flyhalf for the interstate clash after the Waratahs considered shifting him back to fullback following their 31-17 loss to the Blues in Auckland.
Waugh has overcome a calf strain while both Carter and Palu have shrugged off hamstring problems to be fit for the table-topping Reds, who are searching to end a seven-match losing streak in the Templeton Cup.
They combine for 243-caps worth of experience for the Waratahs.
"We've used 31 players already this year and we still have eight players on the sidelines so it's nice to be able to bring so much experience back into the team," said Hickey.
"Phil was touch-and-go to be ready in Auckland and I know he loves nothing more than fronting up to take on the Reds.
"Cliff has had a frustrating year or so with injuries but he's always remained positive and worked really hard on his rehab and Tom is also really excited to be coming back for a match as big as this."
Carter's return means Daniel Halangahu drops to the bench, as do flanks Dave Dennis and Pat McCutcheon, for Waugh and Palu.
Timani, who scored a last-minute match-winning try against the Brumbies in round six, will make his first start in the second row with Kane Douglas demoted to the bench.
"With Kane Douglas, Dave Dennis and Pat McCutcheon all on the bench, we have a lot of options to play with and we know going into this match that well need all 22 players to do a job for us," Hickey said.
Teams
Reds:
TBA
Waratahs:
15 Lachie Turner, 14 Tom Kingston, 13 Ryan Cross, 12 Tom Carter, 11 Drew Mitchell, 10 Kurtley Beale, 9 Luke Burgess, 8 Wycliff Palu, 7 Phil Waugh (captain), 6 Ben Mowen, 5 Sitaleki Timani, 4 Dean Mumm, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 Benn Robinson
Substitutes: 16 John Ulugia, 17 Al Baxter, 18 Kane Douglas, 19 Dave Dennis, 20 Pat McCutcheon, 21 Brendan McKibbin, 22 Daniel Halangahu
