The Waratahs and Reds have been forced to make late changes to their respective squads with Dave Dennis and Mike Harris both failing to overcome injury niggles.
Dennis is ailing from a knee complaint following his side’s win over the Force on Sunday while Harris was ruled out with an ankle injury.
The Reds reported that Harris pulled up fine following the team’s 27-17 win over the Brumbies last weekend and trained well early in the week, but complained of ankle soreness after weights on Thursday morning.
Anthony Fainga’a replaces Harris in the starting XV with Ben Lucas coming on to the bench while Stephen Hoiles comes in at number six in a straight swap for Dennis.
Australian Super Rugby and Test Player of the Year, Michael Hooper, will captain the Waratahs in the absence of Dennis.
The revised squads are as follows:
Waratahs: 15 Israel Folau, 14 Alofa Alofa, 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12 Kurtley Beale, 11 Peter Betham, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Nick Phipps, 8 Wycliff Palu, 7 Michael Hooper (Captain), 6 Stephen Hoiles, 5 Kane Douglas, 4 Jacques Potgieter, 3 Paddy Ryan, 2 Tatafu Polota Nau, 1 Benn Robinson
Replacements: 16 Tola Latu, 17 Jeremy Tilse, 18 Sekope Kepu, 19. Will Skelton, 20 Patrick McCutcheon, 21 Brendan McKibbin, 22 Rob Horne, 23 Matt Carraro, 24 Pat McCutcheon, 25 Jonno Lance.
Reds: 15 Aidan Toua, 14 Lachie Turner, 13 Ben Tapuai, 12 Anthony Fainga’a, 11 Dom Shipperley, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Will Genia, 8 Jake Schatz, 7 Liam Gill, 6 Eddie Quirk, 5 James Horwill (captain), 4 Rob Simmons, 3 Greg Holmes, 2 Saia Fainga’a, 1 James Slipper
Replacements: 16 James Hanson, 17 Ben Daley, 18 Jono Owen, 19 Ed O’Donoghue, 20 Beau Robinson, 21 Nick Frisby, 22 Ben Lucas, 23 Chris Feauai-Sautia.