Wallabies playmaker Bernard Foley will celebrate his 100th Super Rugby match with promotion to captain the NSW Waratahs in their crucial match against the Melbourne Rebels.
Foley takes over the leadership from injured Wallabies skipper Michael Hooper for Friday's top of the Australian conference clash at AAMI Park, with Will Miller coming into Hooper's openside flanker spot.
Coach Daryl Gibson has named Wallabies ace Israel Folau in his team but the fullback's availability hinges on the outcome of Wednesday's judiciary hearing over a high-leaping collision with Ireland captain Peter O'Mahony in Saturday's third Test loss.
If Folau is suspended, Gibson could revert to using Bryce Hegarty at fullback as he did earlier in the season when Folau was posted to the wing.
Gibson resisted temptation to promote Tolu Latu from the bench ahead of starting hooker Tom Robertson after his brilliant cameo displays from the bench for the Wallabies.
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NSW Waratahs: Israel Folau, Cam Clark, Curtis Rona, Kurtley Beale, Taqele Naiyaravoro, Bernard Foley (capt), Nick Phipps, Michael Wells, Will Miller, Ned Hanigan, Rob Simmons, Jed Holloway, Sekope Kepu, Damien Fitzpatrick, Tom Robertson.Res: Tolu Latu, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Paddy Ryan, Tom Staniforth, Brad Wilkin, Jake Gordon, Bryce Hegarty, Alex Newsome.
