Jed Holloway is set to start in the second row for the first time in Super Rugby this weekend, when the Waratahs take on the Reds.
Holloway has been named to start alongside Rob Simmons in the clash, with Tom Staniforth shifted back to the bench.
The 25-year-old came off the bench into the second row against the Chiefs, but has never started for the Waratahs at lock.
Coach Daryl Gibson said he simply wanted to see what Holloway could show in the second row, after playing in the backrow almost exclusively for NSW.
“He hasn’t played there since probably 2014 regularly and with Ned still recovering from that knee injury, just felt it was an ideal opportunity to see what he could do as a second rower,” he said.
“Obviously, very athletic, he’s got all those ball carrying abilities that he brings to the game but a slightly different role this week.”
Holloway is one of two changes to the Waratahs’ starting lineup, with Nick Phipps getting the nod over Jake Gordon after a month of the pair rotating between the starting nine position.
“Nick Phipps has been preferred for this game at nine, which ends that rotational opportunity that I gave both,” Gibson said.
“The feeling there is Nick’s just shaded Jake with his service.”
The Waratahs are looking to extend an eight-game winning streak against Queensland when they head to Brisbane and Gibson said he felt the old-school rivalry was really returning to the clash.
“I think it’s returning to those standards, particularly in the way that Queensland play the game,” he said.
“Brad’s set his team up to be very physical and that’s what the game was last time.
“A lot of big collisions, a lot of physicality, so we look back in history and those are the games that we remember.”
The Waratahs take on the Reds on Saturday night at Suncorp Stadium, kicking off at 7:45pm AEST, LIVE on FOX SPORTS and via RUGBY.com.au RADIO. Buy tickets here.
IN: Shambeckler Vui
OUT: Paddy Ryan
Waratahs to face the Reds
1. Tom Robertson
2. Damien Fitzpatrick
3. Sekope Kepu
4. Jed Holloway
5. Rob Simmons
6. Will Miller
7. Michael Hooper
8. Michael Wells
9. Nick Phipps
10. Bernard Foley
11. Taqele Naiyaravoro
12. Kurtley Beale
13. Curtis Rona
14. Cam Clark
15. Israel Folau
Reserves
16. Tolu Latu
17. Harry Johnson-Holmes
18. Shambeckler Vui
19. Tom Staniforth
20. Brad Wilkin
21. Jake Gordon
22. Lalakai Foketi
23. Bryce Hegarty
Click Here: pandora Bracelets