New NSW Waratahs coach Michael Foley is looking forward to countering the unpredictability of Samoa and Tonga in his first games in charge of the Super Rugby franchise.
After previous stints as an assistant at English club Bath, the Wallabies and NSW, former Test hooker and scrum guru Foley gets to show what he can do as a head coach.
The Waratahs play trials against Samoa in Tamworth on Friday followed by a final pre-season hitout against Tonga in Sydney next week.
Neither Pacific Island nation will field anything like a full strength side, with most of their stars committed to clubs in the northern hemisphere.
But Foley isn’t fazed by the fact he will know little about either team.
“The thing you can expect from the Samoans is the unexpected and that’s a really positive thing for us in the trials,” Foley told AAP.
“Coming into an environment where we won’t necessarily have a good understanding of beforehand.
“It means as things evolve that we’re going too have to be making good decisions to gain control of the match.
“Both from an attack and defence point of view anybody who has seen Samoa play in recent times will understand the threat that they can pose in a game.”
The Waratahs will field two different teams, with each contesting two 30-minute quarters.
The starting NSW team for the first 60 minutes includes six Test players, forwards Sekope Kepu, Tatafu Polota-Nau and Dean Mumm and backs Berrick Barnes, Rob Horne and Lachie Turner.
That combination, to be captained by five-eighth Barnes, will also include new halfback and 2011 South African Super Rugby player of the year Sarel Pretorius.
A less experienced unit captained by another five-eighth, Daniel Halangahu, will contest the final 60 minutes.
Injuries have ruled out several Wallabies with winger Drew Mitchell (ankle), back rowers Wycliff Palu and Rocky Elsom (both hamstring), prop Benn Robinson (knee) and Dan Vickerman (shoulder) all scratched.
Recently appointed captain Elsom says he has no time frame in mind for his return from surgery.
“As bad an answer as this is, it’s as soon as possible,” Elsom said.
