Rugby: Anesi set to start Super 14 opener

Former All Black Sosene Anesi has the inside running on the Waraths’ No 15 jersey. Photo / Getty Images

SYDNEY - Star recruits Berrick Barnes and Sosene Anesi have firmed as favourites to fill the contentious five-eighth and fullback spots for the Waratahs' opening Super 14 match against Queensland after being selected to start the side's final trial against the Brumbies in Canberra on Thursday.

Playmaker Barnes will start at five-eighth for the second straight trial, though NSW coach Chris Hickey said Daniel Halangahu would spend part of the game there on Thursday after starting at inside centre.

Former All Black Anesi will have started all three trials at fullback.

With another high profile recruit, Wallabies flyer Drew Mitchell rested from Thursday's game because of a hamstring twinge, Hickey conceded Anesi had the inside running to occupy the No 15 shirt for the first round clash in Brisbane.

"He will have played in three trials, that gives him a bit of a head start for that position," Hickey said of Anesi.

Mitchell will be the only one of the recruits not to have played a trial.

"He's just got a small hamstring twinge, if this was a competition game he would play, we just want to make sure we give him a chance to recover before he plays a competition game," Hickey said.

Tom Carter will get another opportunity to cement a starting spot at outside centre, with exciting youngster Rob Horne still recovering from a hamstring problem.

Wallabies utility Kurtley Beale was not chosen, allowing him to concentrate on his assault case this week.

With Mitchell rested, Lote Tuqiri's cousin Nemani Nadolo will start on the wing after impressing against the Fijian Warriors in Orange last weekend.

Three Wallabies, winger Lachie Turner, prop Benn Robinson and flanker Dean Mumm will each make his first trial appearance of the year.

New Zealander Cam Jowitt and youngster Kane Douglas will be the starting locks, with giant South African Hendrik Roodt on the bench.

Roodt is still developing match fitness after sitting out last year but Hickey said the Emerging Springbok representative could still contend for a starting spot against the Reds.

Ben Mowen, the Waratahs' preferred blindside flanker last season, will have his first hitout off the bench following knee surgery.

The Brumbies made two changes to their team announced on Monday, with Francis Fainifo and Alfi Mafi replacing the injured Pat McCabe and Andrew Smith on the wings.

Wallabies skipper Rocky Elsom said he would wait a bit closer to the game to decide whether he was fit enough to make his Brumbies debut because of a recurring hamstring niggle.

NSW Waratahs
Sosene Anesi, Lachie Turner, Tom Carter, Daniel Halangahu, Nemani Nadolo, Berrick Barnes, Luke Burgess, Wycliff Palu, Phil Waugh (capt), Dean Mumm, Cam Jowitt, Kane Douglas, Al Baxter, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Benn Robinson. Res: Damien Fitzpatrick, Sekope Kepu, Hendrik Roodt, Chris Thomson, Brendan KcKibbin, Ben Seymour, Locky McCaffrey, Dan Palmer, Ben Mowen, Josh Holmes, Alex Rokobaro, Dave Dennis, Rory Sidey, Peter Betham, Adam D'Arcy.

- AAP