Wallabies hooker Tolu Latu is in his best shape for three years as he returns from a six-week suspension to bolster the NSW Waratahs pack for Saturday's Super rugby clash with the Sharks.
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Latu, who received a suspension for dangerous play after round two, comes in on the bench for Andrew Tuala.
Test back Curtis Rona replaces Alex Newsome on the wing in the only change to the starting side for the Waratahs first game at the new Bankwest Stadium in western Sydney.
With both of the Tahs byes falling during his enforced layoff, Latu hasn't played since February 23 but coach Daryl Gibson said the hooker was in good shape.
"Probably the best he's been in for the last three years," Gibson said.
"Scrummaging-wise he adds extra weight but we're really looking for him around the park and that's what he can really add to us.
'"We're not an incredibly big side and to have someone who can can carry the ball for us will be a real bonus."
Latu's return is timely for NSW as they enter a block of three successive matches against South African teams.
"The South african sides always come with great physicality. If you can't compete there, you're going to come second," Gibson said.
"For us it's very clear, we've got to make sure we front up and be very good in that contact area."
Gibson said Rona would get the opportunity to give the Tahs something a bit different out wide, which is what he was searching for.
He ended the rotation of his Wallabies' halfbacks by opting to stick with Jake Gordon ahead of Nick Phipps.
"It's still very close between Nick and Jake and I foresee that Nick will get an opportunity in the next few weeks," Gibson said.
"We've gone for a real kicking plan of late. We've seen that as an opportunity for us to add something different to our game.
"Jake excels in that area, it's a real strength of his but again that position is still up for grabs."
Gibson said he still had around half a dozen rotations left to do ,with forwards Sekope Kepu, Rob Simmons and Jack Dempsey among those who will be rested.
Prop Tom Robertson is scheduled to return following the matches in South Africa after making a comeback from a knee reconstruction.
NSW Waratahs: Kurtley Beale, Cam Clark, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Karmichael Hunt, Curtis Rona, Bernard Foley, Jake Gordon, Michael Wells, Michael Hooper (capt), Jack Dempsey, Rob Simmons, Jed Holloway, Sekope Kepu, Damien Fitzpatrick, Harry Johnson-Holmes. Res: Tolu Latu, Rory O'Connor, Chris Talakai, Tom Staniforth, Lachlan Swinton, Nick Phipps, Lalakai Foketi, Alex Newsome.
Australian Associated Press
