Ashley-Cooper Starts With Karmichael Hunt On Super Rugby Return

February 13, 2019
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Ultimate Rugby

Karmichael Hunt and Adam Ashley-Cooper have confirmed Waratahs starters with Kurtley Beale the first Wallaby rested from Super Rugby ahead of the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

Beale played more games than any other Australian player last season but was rested during the preseason.

Hunt's performances at training since joining the club and in the preseason games were enough to give Daryl Gibson the confidence to keep Beale on ice for one more week.

"He came to us in January, and you never quite know what shape they're in and he presented in excellent shape and very quickly got up to speed and we're very satisfied with where he's at," he said.

The Waratahs will be boosted by the round one returns of Kepu, Rob Simmons, Michael Hooper, Bernard Foley, Israel Folau and Latu, who all sat out the team's preseason trials.

Jake Gordon will start at halfback with Nick Phipps (calf) unavailable and Mitch Short will come off the bench.

Jack Dempsey is set to start at no. 8 for the first time in Super Rugby with Ned Hanigan at blindside flanker for the Brookvale Oval clash.

Waratahs to face the Hurricanes

1. Harry Johnson-Holmes

2. Damien Fitzpatrick

3. Sekope Kepu

4. Jed Holloway

5. Rob Simmons

6. Ned Hanigan

7. Michael Hooper

8. Jack Dempsey

9 .Jake Gordon