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'Tahs unchanged again

'Tahs unchanged again

03/17/2010 07:53:31 AM

The Waratahs have named an unchanged line-up for the third straight week ahead of Saturday's clash against the winless Western Force in Perth.

No.8 Wycliff Palu (hamstring) and veteran prop Al Baxter (calf) are nursing minor injuries after the side's 73-12 demolition of the Lions but both are expected to play.

"We're monitoring the load of players like Cliffy Palu and Al Baxter to make sure they're in the best shape possible for Saturday night," coach Chris Hickey said.

"You analyse everyone's performance after every game but after an effort like that against the Lions it was always fairly likely we'd stick with the same squad."

While the coach praised his charges' defensive efforts against the Lions, he warned his players not to relax against a Force side playing for pride.

"It's only natural that when you score 11 tries that people will tend to focus on that aspect of the game, and while it is definitely something we're proud of, we were also quite happy with our defensive effort," he said.

"Going into the match our defensive record was not as strong as it has been in recent seasons, however we believe we're starting to make progress there and we'll need to make more progress this weekend."

"The Force can score quickly if your defence isn't up to the mark and we're making sure we prepare appropriately for that."

"You can't assume anything going into these all-Australian matches. Last year we were six places ahead of the Force on the ladder and they beat us by a point, so we're definitely not going to be starting the match with any level of complacency."

Meanwhile, the Waratahs have signed Australian Sevens captain and Sydney University flanker Patrick McCutcheon for the next two seasons.

McCutcheon, who captained the 2005 Australian schoolboys line-up that included Wallabies Kurtley Beale, Quade Cooper and David Pocock, has made his name as a Sevens player on the world circuit over the last three years.

Waratahs: 15. Sosene Anesi, 14. Lachie Turner, 13. Tom Carter, 12. Berrick Barnes, 11. Drew Mitchell, 10. Daniel Halangahu, 9. Luke Burgess, 8. Wycliff Palu, 7. Phil Waugh (c), 6. Dave Dennis, 5. Kane Douglas, 4. Dean Mumm, 3. Al Baxter, 2. Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1. Benn Robinson.

Reserves: 16. Damien Fitzpatrick, 17. Sekope Kepu, 18. Will Caldwell, 19. Ben Mowen, 20. Josh Holmes, 21. Kurtley Beale, 22. Rob Horne.

 
Photograph Copyright : Getty Images

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