Waratahs team for Blues

Rob Horne will start at inside centre on Sunday, as the HSBC Waratahs host the Blues at Allianz Stadium in the return of afternoon rugby to Sydney.

The Southern Districts centre will take the place of injured playmaker Berrick Barnes and wear the 12 jersey, lining up alongside Adam Ashley-Cooper in the midfield.  Barnes dislocated his thumb in last Friday’s game against the Cheetahs.

In the only other change to the starting XV,  Drew Mitchell returns to the side and will start on the left wing, with impressive newcomer Peter Betham switching to 14.

On to the bench for the big afternoon rugby clash come Wallaby prop Sekope Kepu who replaces Jeremy Tilse, Jed Holloway in for Lopeti Timani and Tom Kingston, who takes Horne’s place.

HSBC Waratahs team to play the Blues
Sunday March 24, 2013
Allianz Stadium (kick off 4.05pm)
1. Benn Robinson (Eastwood)
2. John Ulugia (Eastern Suburbs)
3. Paddy Ryan (Sydney University)
4. Sitaleki Timani (Southern Districts)
5. Kane Douglas (Southern Districts)
6. Dave Dennis (Sydney University, captain)
7. Michael Hooper (Manly)
8. Pat McCutcheon (Sydney University)
9. Brendan McKibbin (Eastern Suburbs)
10. Bernard Foley (Sydney University)
11. Drew Mitchell (Balmain)
12. Rob Horne (Southern Districts)
13. Adam Ashley-Cooper (Northern Suburbs)
14. Peter Betham (Sydney University)
15. Israel Folau (Sydney University)

Replacements
16. Luke Holmes (Warringah)
17. Sekope Kepu (Randwick)
18. Mitchell Chapman (Eastern Suburbs)
19. Jed Holloway (Southern Districts)
20. Matt Lucas (Manly)
21. Ben Volavola (Southern Districts)
22. Tom Kingston (Sydney University)

Tags: Waratahs