Waratahs v Chiefs: Teams

Kurtley Beale starts in the No.10 jersey in a much-changed Waratahs line-up to face the Chiefs at Sydney Football Stadium on Friday.

Beale is moved to fly-half to replace the injured Berrick Barnes, who was ruled out following a head knock in Saturday's victory over the Brumbies.

Lachie Turner takes over at full-back while Atieli Pakalani returns to the starting XV on the wing.

Head coach Chris Hickey has also decided to shuffle his pack, including bringing in lock Pat O'Connor for his debut for the franchise.

The former Western Force second rower is included at the expense of Kane Douglas, while prop Benn Robinson and Tatafu Polota-Nau return from injury.

Al Baxter, though, has been ruled out with a thumb problem, giving Sekope Kepu the chance to move to the tighthead side of the scrum.

"We've had to make a number of changes this week; some of the forced, others which are welcome," said Hickey.

"Berrick has recovered well from the knock he took in Canberra but with his long-term welfare in mind we've decided to bring Kurtley into fly-half.

"Kurtley took this team to the Super 14 final in 2008 playing at flyhalf and his performance in the second half against the Brumbies proved he still has what it takes to perform strongly in that position."

Determined Chiefs

The Chiefs, meanwhile, have made two changes for their trip to Sydney.

Dwayne Sweeney and Toby Smith earn recalls at the expense of Tana Umaga and Sona Taumalolo respectively, with the latter two included amongst the list of replacements.

Young scrum-half Tawera Kerr-Barlow is also named as a substitute in place of Taniela Moa.

Ben May, Colin Bourke, Hayden Triggs, Stephen Donald and Mils Muliaina are all missing for the visitors through injury.

"We are determined to turn some good form into good results," said head coach Ian Foster.

"Two close losses either side of two good wins over the Rebels and Sharks show we are playing reasonably well but we have to improve closing out tight games in order to build the sort of momentum we are looking for."

Waratahs: 15 Lachie Turner, 14 Atieli Pakalani, 13 Ryan Cross, 12 Tom Carter, 11 Drew Mitchell, 10 Kurtley Beale, 9 Luke Burgess, 8 Wycliff Palu, 7 Phil Waugh (capt), 6 Ben Mowen, 5 Pat O'Connor, 4 Dean Mumm, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 Benn Robinson.
Replacements: 16 Damien Fitzpatrick, 17 Paddy Ryan, 18 Sitaleki Timani, 19 Dave Dennis, 20 Pat McCutcheon, 21 Brendan McKibbin, 22 Daniel Halangahu.

Chiefs: 15 Tim Nanai-Williams, 14 Lelia Masaga, 13 Richard Kahui, 12 Dwayne Sweeney, 11 Sitiveni Sivivatu, 10 Mike Delany, 9 Brendon Leonard, 8 Liam Messam (capt), 7 Tanerau Latimer, 6 Scott Waldrom, 5 Isaac Ross, 4 Craig Clarke, 3 Nathan White, 2 Hika Elliot, 1 Toby Smith.
Replacements: 16 Aled de Malmanche, 17 Sona Taumalolo, 18 Culum Retallick, 19 Fritz Lee, 20 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 21 Tana Umaga, 22 Save Tokula.