Rugby: Grover Handed Shock Waratahs Debut

Grover gets the nod at scrum-half

Angus Grover makes his first start for the Waratahs this weekend, taking the number 9 jersey against an unbeaten Western Force side in Super Rugby Pacific. The 18-year-old replaces Teddy Wilson, rested after a strong campaign that included helping Eastern Suburbs win the Shute Shield title.

Grover partners Max Burey in the halves. Burey, the 2025 Super Rugby AUS Player of the Tournament, helped push Western Force to last year’s grand final before making the move to Sydney. Their combination now leads a Waratahs backline chasing a home final.

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Let’s do it

Three more debuts in the run-on side

Grover isn’t the only new face in the starting XV. Front-rower Brady Dawson and loose forwards Angus Scott-Young and Luke Reimer all earn their first starts too. Coach Lachlan McCaffrey pointed to the local flavor of the selection: “It’s nice to play at Rat Park this week, with Lukey and Ben from Warringah representing the Ratties.”

Captain Eamon Doyle anchors the pack alongside Wallabies lock Miles Amatosero. Sid Harvey, last season’s Super Rugby Pacific Rookie of the Year, starts at fullback.

What’s at stake

NSW enter the round off the back of a win over Queensland and sit as the defending Super Rugby AUS champions. Western Force remain unbeaten this campaign. A Waratahs win locks in home advantage for the final, raising the stakes on a lineup already carrying four debutants into a title-race match.

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