From nine minutes of action to a season-defining start at Waratahs for Moeroa
The Waratahs will turn to former Eels second-rower Tepai Moeroa to help save their season despite him playing just nine minutes of rugby this season.
NSW coach Rob Penney is expected to announce Moeroa as a shock choice at inside-centre for the Waratahs' season-defining clash with Melbourne at Leichhardt Oval on Saturday night.
Tepai Moeroa will be a shock unveiling at No.12 as the Waratahs battle to keep their finals hopes alive against the Rebels. Credit:Julius Dimataga
Moeroa will fill in for veteran dual-code star Karmichael Hunt, who has failed to recover from a hamstring injury that ruled him out of last week's dismal loss to the Brumbies.
But rather than hand another chance to Hunt's replacement in that game, Lalakai Foketi, Penney looks set to turn to the former NRL player in the search for some midfield abrasiveness.
Foketi will drop out of the match-day 23 and Hugh Sinclair will be named on the bench. Penney's only other likely change will be welcoming back promising Junior Wallabies back-rower Will Harris. He will be named on the bench after recovering from a high ankle sprain.
Penney will face questions from fans for starting Moeroa, given the 24-year-old has not featured since a 71st-minute appearance in round one.
The Cook Islands-born, Sydney-raised centre was a hyped signing from the NRL at the end of last year, having played representative rugby with the Australian Schools before a six-year stint and 112 appearances with the Eels.
He failed to make an impression after a debut against the Blues in February and has been restricted to one appearance off the bench this season.
But with Hunt's absence keenly felt in Canberra last week, the NSW coaches believe Moeroa's 190cm, 112kg frame could help the Waratahs get over the advantage line against the Rebels.
It will be a season-ending or finals-making clash for both sides, and Melbourne have bragging rights heading into the match after out-enthusing and overpowering the hosts in the team's previous encounter in round four.
It was a low point of the Waratahs' season but proved the catalyst for a brief purple patch after a bye week.
But Hunt's absence was telling last week, the Brumbies putting on a four-try second-half carve-up in Canberra to leave the Waratahs in sudden-death territory.
The Rebels have just as much to lose and will be relying on their pack and game managers to deliver again against NSW.
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