Alex Newsome has replaced winger Curtis Rona in the only change to the NSW Waratahs starting side for Friday night’s Super Rugby derby against the Brumbies.

Newsome clinched NSW’s victory over the Queensland Reds with a key try last Saturday night but Waratahs coach Daryl Gibson said the change was merely a rotation.

“As I’ve said all along, we’ve got a high number of Wallabies and we need to rotate and manage our squad better,” Gibson said.

“Cam Clark will get a chance next week (against the Crusaders), John Folau hopefully somewhere around there as well.

“(Newsome) took his opportunity well the other day. I’ve got every faith and trust in our wingers to do the job.”

Gibson hopes the selection uncertainty will breed healthy competition in the Waratahs ranks.

“They don’t like it. You never like to be rotated out of a squad nor give another person an opportunity,” he said.

“But in the modern game, and in particular this season where we’ve been asked to manage our team better, it’s just part of it.”

Newsome is intent on making the most of his opportunity.

“Any time that you can get to wear the blue jersey it’s obviously a big occasion. To definitely start the game is even more sweeter,” he said.

“As you saw last week, all these Aussie derbies are really tough encounters. I think this week is going to be no different.

“The Brumbies will be very hungry at home this Friday night especially, so it’s certainly going to be a big game.”

Waratahs: Kurtley Beale, Israel Folau, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Karmichael Hunt, Alex Newsome, Bernard Foley, Jake Gordon, Jack Dempsey, Michael Hooper (capt), Ned Hanigan, Rob Simmons, Jed Holloway, Sekope Kepu, Damien Fitzpatrick, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Res: Tatafu Polota-Nau, Rory O’Connor, Chris Talakai, Ryan McCauley, Lachlan Swinton, Nick Phipps, Mack Mason, Cam Clark.