Waratahs v Cheetahs: Teams

Injuries and recoveries have shaped the Waratahs' line-up with a number of changes made for this Saturday's clash with the Cheetahs in Sydney.

Powerhouse number eight Wycliff Palu is set to make his first Super Rugby appearance for 2011 after being named in the starting XV, while Berrick Barnes returns after missing the Crusaders match to recover from a head knock.

Hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau (knee) and flanker Phil Waugh (biceps) have both been given time to manage their injuries with a view to bringing them back in the best shape possible.

Rob Horne is also on the sidelines for around a month with an elbow injury and has been replaced at outside centre by Lachie Turner who will earn his first run-on cap in the position.

Turner's move in-field opens the way for Atieli Pakalani to earn his first start for the Waratahs.

Turner impressed in the number 13 jersey in the opening trial of the season against the Fiji Warriors, a match in which Pakalani also bagged a double before scoring a try on debut against the Crusaders.

Palu's return to the starting XV sees Ben Mowen move to the side of the scrum, while Dave Dennis moves back to the bench.

Debut

Pat McCutcheon takes over from Waugh at flanker while Dean Mumm assumes the captaincy for just the second time in his Super Rugby career.

Former Brumbies hooker John Ulugia is set to make his Waratahs debut for Polota-Nau while Benn Robinson has also been elevated to the starting XV for the first time this season.

"Injuries are part and parcel of the Super Rugby competition and you have to manage each player on a case by case basis," said head coach Chris Hickey.

"We're still only four weeks into a five or six month competition and we need to make sure we do what we can to make sure that player such as Phil and Tatafu can play the largest possible role in the overall campaign.

"We were conservative with Cliffy in allowing him a month to get over his hamstring injury and he's now ready to go, but we'll still be keeping a close eye on him."

Hickey added that he is looking forward to seeing the performances of players given an opportunity to show their wares against the Cheetahs.

"Sometimes it takes an injury for another player to show what they've got and there's great opportunity there for a number of players on Saturday," said Hickey.

"Lachie played really well at 13 in the trials and now he has the chance to translate that to Super Rugby and we're confident he'll do a great job.

Chance

"Atieli Pakalani has done everything asked of him since joining the squad from Auckland after the ITM Cup last year and this is a great chance for him to push for a permanent starting position.

"Equally, John Ulugia has been training with the Super Rugby squad for the entire pre-season and his experience will be an asset against the Cheetahs. Both he and Damien Fitzpatrick have big shoes to fill in the front row but we know they'll be up to the challenge.

"Cliffy's return means we're almost back to a full compliment in the backrow now and I'm sure than competition for positions in the squad will bring out the best in players like Pat McCutcheon, Dave Dennis and Ben Mowen."

Cheetahs wing Ryno Benjamin has been ruled out of Saturday's Super Rugby clash against the Waratahs in Sydney with a hamstring injury.

Fabiaan Juries will replace Benjamin while Frans Viljoen will take Juries' place amongst the replacements. This means the Cheetahs will go into the match with five forwards and two backs on the bench.

The Cheetahs start their overseas tour without a win from four starts this season and will face the Waratahs, the Reds, the Blues and the Hurricanes over the next four weeks before returning to South Africa.

Waratahs: 15 Kurtley Beale, 14 Afa Pakalani, 13 Lachie Turner, 12 Tom Carter, 11 Drew Mitchell, 10 Berrick Barnes, 9 Luke Burgess, 8 Wycliff Palu, 7 Pat McCutcheon, 6 Ben Mowen, 5 Kane Douglas, 4 Dean Mumm (c), 3 Al Baxter, 2 John Ulugia, 1 Benn Robinson.
Replacements: 16 Damien Fitzpatrick, 17 Sekope Kepu, 18 Sitaleki Timani, 19 Dave Dennis, 20 Brendan McKibbin, 21 Daniel Halangahu, 22 Ryan Cross.

Cheetahs: 15 Riaan Viljoen, 14 Philip Snyman, 13 Robert Ebersohn, 12 Andries Strauss (c), 11 Fabiaan Juries, 10 Sias Ebersohn, 9 Sarel Pretorius, 8 Ashley Johnson, 7 Philip van der Walt, 6 Heinrich Brussow, 5 Martin Muller, 4 Wilhelm Steenkamp, 3 WP Nel, 2 Rayno Barnes, 1 Coenie Oosthuizen.
Replacements: 16 Skipper Badenhorst, 17 Lourens Adriaanse, 18 Frans Viljoen, 19 Kabamba Floors, 20 Francois Uys, 21 Sarel Pretorius, 22 Naas Olivier.