A pinched shoulder nerve has knocked New South Wales vice-captain Phil Waugh out of the Waratahs’ Super 12 clash against the Blues this weekend in Auckland, the team said on Wednesday.
Waugh has been suffering from a pinched nerve in his right shoulder and was replaced as openside flanker for Sunday’s match by Lei Tomiki, who will be making his starting debut for the Waratahs.
”The shoulder just isn’t improving to fit the timeline for this match so we’ve ruled Phil out and rushed Lei Tomiki straight into training today after arriving at around midnight last night,” coach Ewen McKenzie said.
Tomiki has played five games for the Waratahs, including four in the Super 12, but has come off the bench in all of them.
Justin Harrison was named to take over the team vice-captaincy.
Following three straight defeats for the Waratahs, selectors made two changes to the backline — with Matthew Burke replacing Ben Jacobs at outside centre and Shaun Berne taking over at flyhalf from Tim Donnelly, who moves to the bench.
”Matt’s been a Test and Super 12 outside centre for the past few seasons so it was logical to bring him in for Ben Jacobs,” McKenzie said.
”Shaun Berne was impressive last week setting up our scoring opportunities and he deserves to start against the Blues,” he added. — Sapa-AFP
Waratahs: Cameron Shepherd, Scott Staniforth, Matthew Burke, Morgan Turinui, Lote Tuqiri, Shaun Berne, Chris Whitaker (captain), David Lyons, Lei Tomiki, Simon Kasprowicz, Daniel Vickerman, Justin Harrison, Alastair Baxter, Brendan Cannon, Matt Dunning.
Reserves: Adam Freier, Aaron Broughton-Rouse, Rocky Elsom, Stephen Hoiles, Tim Donnelly, Nathan Grey, Milton Thaiday.