Speedster Lachie Turner has been shifted to fullback in a new-look backline as the NSW Waratahs go hunting Super 14 bonus points in Africa.
After weeks of stodgy performances at home, the Waratahs have finally gone attack-minded and selected a rearranged backline they hope will allow them to score four tries against the last-placed Free State Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Saturday.
Turner switches from the right wing to fullback with Sam Norton-Knight dropping to the bench in a move which should provide more attacking thrust from the back where usually the option has been to kick.
After being dropped as the Waratahs' flyhalf four weeks ago, the exciting Kurtley Beale has earned a recall at inside centre, relegating Tom Carter to the bench. Daniel Halangahu retains the No10 jersey.
With Rob Horne still on the injured list, Beale will form a centre partnership with Timana Tahu while Peter Playford comes into the vacant wing spot in his first start of the season.
Brett Sheehan retains the starting scrumhalf role ahead of last season's regular Wallaby starter Luke Burgess.
Wallabies prop Al Baxter makes his return from a calf injury in the only adjustment to the forward pack.
Waratahs coach Chris Hickey has calculated that his team needs at least two bonus point wins from its three remaining regular season matches if it's to make the semis.
''The backline certainly has a new look to it and hopefully that will bring results on Saturday,'' Hickey said.
''What we've come up with for this first match of the tour is something a little bit different, but the players we've selected have all trained in those positions and many have played there in games as well, so we're confident everyone can perform the roles we've asked them to.''
Captain Phil Waugh will play his 108th Super rugby match, taking him past former skipper Chris Whitaker as NSW's most-capped player.
Hickey said the Waratahs wouldn't be taking the Cheetahs lightly despite their position on the table.
Meanwhile, an administrative bungle has let Waikato Chiefs No8 Sione Lauaki off the hook over a citing for dangerous play during the Super 14 loss to the Pretoria Bulls on Sunday.
Lauaki was shown a yellow card for a high tackle on Springbok Bryan Habana and was subsequently cited following the 33-27 loss.
However, the disciplinary hearing on Tuesday was dismissed on technical grounds as the citing was not received within the prescribed 12-hour period after the match ended.
The hearing took place at the offices of the South African Rugby Union in Newlands, Cape Town.
In exceptional circumstances, the judicial officer can allow citings that were made more than 12 hours after the end of the game.
Judicial officer Dekker Govender could not find exceptional circumstances to allow the hearing to continue.
Lauaki will now be available to face the Cape Town Stormers on Sunday. AAP/NZPA
WARATAHS TEAM
15. Lachie Turner, 14. Peter Playford, 13. Timana Tahu, 12. Kurtley Beale, 11. Lote Tuqiri, 10. Daniel Halangahu, 9. Brett Sheehan, 8. Wycliff Palu, 7. Phil Waugh (capt), 6. Ben Mowen, 5. Will Caldwell, 4. Dean Mumm, 3. Al Baxter, 2. Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1. Benn Robinson. Reserves: Damien Fitzpatrick, Sekope Kepu, Chris Thomson, Luke Doherty, Luke Burgess, Sam Norton-Knight, Tom Carter.
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