Waratahs v Brumbies: Teams
The Waratahs have made three changes to the side that beat the Highlanders 33-7 at the weekend.
Last Updated: 17/06/11 12:30pm
Wallaby lock Dan Vickerman has been named on the Waratahs' bench for Saturday's crucial clash against the Brumbies in Sydney.
South African-born Vickerman has been out of top flight rugby since 2008, since when he has been studying in England and only returned to Australia at the weekend.
The Waratahs, who have been decimated by injuries this season, have made three changes to the side that beat the Highlanders 33-7 at the weekend.
Dave Dennis moves from flanker to number eight in place of Wycliff Palu, who broke his shoulder against the Highlanders. Dean Mumm takes over from Dennis on the side of the scrum and Pat O'Connor fills in for Mumm at lock.
Among the backs, hat-trick hero Tom Carter moves to inside centre in place of Berrick Barnes, who has taken an indefinite break from the game due to continuing migraine problems.
Ryan Cross returns at outside centre from a knee injury which ruled him out for two weeks.
Doubtful
Atieli Pakalani will start on the wing in place of Sosene Anesi, who drops to the bench.
Waratahs front rankers Tatafu Polota-Nau and Benn Robinson have been named in the starting line-up, despite being doubtful for the match.
Coach Chris Hickey is hopeful Polota-Nau (knee) and Robinson (ankle) will be fit to play.
The Waratahs have to win this match in their bid to make it into the play-offs and Dennis is relishing the do-or-die derby clash.
"It doesn't get any bigger than this. Win, and we're in the finals it's as simple as that," he told AAP.
"We showed last week that we're capable of playing an exciting brand of rugby at the business end of the year and we want to bring the same mindset on Saturday night.
"There's a few changes to the side but we've all got confidence in each other and the win over the Highlanders showed that we have the depth to perform well if we execute accurately."
Brumbies coach Tony Rea makes two changes to the side that beat the Rebels for Saturday's hit-out against the Waratahs.
Scrum-half Josh Valentine returns to the bench from injury while number eight Ita Vaea is back from suspension. Making way for Valentine and Vaea are Nic White and Sam Carter.
Defence has been the key to the Brumbies late-season return to form, with the backs being given opportunities off the back of hard work from the forwards at the breakdown.
More of the same will be needed if the Brumbies are to craft their third win on the trot this weekend in Sydney.
Waratahs: 15 Kurtley Beale, 14 Lachie Turner, 13 Ryan Cross, 12 Tom Carter, 11 Atieli Pakalani, 10 Daniel Halangahu, 9 Luke Burgess, 8 Dave Dennis, 7 Phil Waugh (capt), 6 Dean Mumm, 5 Sitaleki Timani, 4 Pat O'Connor, 3 Al Baxter, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 Benn Robinson.
Replacements: 16 John Ulugia, 17 Jeremy Tilse, 18 Dan Vickerman, 19 Chris Alcock, 20 Hugh Perrett, 21 Josh Holmes, 22 Sosene Anesi.
Brumbies: 15 Christian Lealiifano, 14 Henry Speight, 13 Tyrone Smith, 12 Pat McCabe, 11 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 10 Matt Giteau (c), 9 Patrick Phibbs, 8 Ita Vaea, 7 Julian Salvi, 6 Mitchell Chapman, 5 Ben Hand, 4 Peter Kimlin, 3 Ben Alexander, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Jerry Yanuyanutawa.
Replacements: 16 Anthony Hegarty, 17 Jono Owen, 18 Henry Vanderglas, 19 Tom Boidin, 20 Josh Valentine, 21 Andrew Smith, 22 Robbie Coleman.
