Tahu dropped to bench - again.
Tahu dropped to bench
March 18, 2009 - 1:24PM
Wallabies centre Timana Tahu has been relegated to the bench and Test prop Al Baxter is set to break an appearance record for the NSW Waratahs in their Super 14 match against the Crusaders on Saturday.
Tahu has been replaced at inside centre by Tom Carter, although Waratahs coach Chris Hickey suggested it was more a horses for courses situation than a question of form.
"We've tended to move between Timana and Tom depending on what we think suits the occasion and we think Tom might give us what we need early on against the Crusaders,'' Hickey said.
In the only change to the starting side, Baxter returns from a calf muscle injury, with Dan Palmer dropping back to the bench.
Baxter will become the first front rower to tally 100 caps for NSW and will also surpass contemporary Matt Dunning as the most capped Waratahs prop.
"If last week was a final we probably would've played Al, but there is still a long way to go in the competition so we decided to give him the extra week to recover,'' Hickey said.
The only other change to the squad which lost to the Brumbies in Canberra sees 2007 Australian Schools captain Damien Fitzpatrick named on the bench for ha possible NSW debut.
Fitzpatrick replaces Wallabies rake Adam Freier who underwent surgery on Tuesday on a season-ending torn bicep.
NSW, who suffered their first loss last week to the Brumbies, are currently in second place while reigning champions the Crusaders are down in 11th spot, having won just once.
NSW Waratahs: Sam Norton-Knight, Lachie Turner, Rob Horne, Tom Carter, Lote Tuqiri, Kurtley Beale, Luke Burgess, Wycliff Palu, Phil Waugh (capt), Dean Mumm, Will Caldwell, Chris Thomson, Al Baxter, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Benn Robinson. Reserves: Damien Fitzpatrick, Dan Palmer, Luke Doherty, Ben Mowen, Brett Sheehan, Daniel Halangahu, Timana Tahu.
AAP
http://www.rugbyheaven.com.au/news/n...054878769.html
