Waratahs out to bash Bulls at own game

Waratahs coach Ewen McKenzie has thrown down the gauntlet to the Bulls pack by naming one of the biggest forward packs yet to face the Pretoria side at Aussie Stadium in Sydney on Saturday.

McKenzie has recalled veteran Wallaby David Lyons - a player who has consistently caused the Bulls all sort of defensive problems - for the match and the Waratahs now boast a loose trio that weighs in at 350kg.

The weight advantage has already signified that the Waratahs believe the Brumbies exposed chinks in the Bulls armour upfront in Canberra last weekend and that this is where they plan to bash their point home.

McKenzie's team are struggling and with Australian rugby not having achieved a victory in two weeks in the competition, the Waratahs are desperate to lift themselves out of the doldrums and see the Bulls - a side they have never lost to in Sydney - as the perfect targets to achieve this.

"There's a lot to like about the back row we've named this week," said McKenzie.

"They're a bunch of big blokes, but they are also strong runners and they'll need to do plenty of that against the Bulls.

"Big blokes against big blokes, it's definitely a highlight of the year when we play the Bulls."

A renowned Test No 8, Lyons says he'll have no problems playing openside this weekend.

"This is my first start coming back from a knee injury and although I'm not playing No 8, I think it's important for the team to have more experience on the field at the moment," said Lyons.

"The Bulls are a very physical team, but they've also got a lot of speed and they're coming off a good win over the Brumbies so they're more than just formidable opponents."

Lyons will become the fourth most capped Waratah in history on Saturday playing his 91st game, one more than former scrumhalf Sam Payne.

Ewen Mckenzie also welcomed the return of Matt Dunning from a knee injury on the bench. In last year's game Dunning was accused by prop Jaco Engels of biting his hand "like a hamburger" while Rocky Elsom was banned for six weeks for a flurry of punches.

The Bulls are wary that the Waratahs will push the physical battle over the edge as they did in Pretoria last year.

"It's good to have some positive news with David and Matt coming back," McKenzie said. "Experience is impossible to replace and with two quality Test players back in the 22 it's a boost psychologically and game-wise."

Dunning suffered a knee injury in the first trial game of the year.

Long-term squad member All Manning is set for his Super rugby debut after being named on the bench for the injured Tatafu Polota-Nau while Brett Sheehan will start ahead of Josh Valentine at scrumhalf.

Waratahs:

Peter Hewat; Morgan Turinui, Ben Jacobs, Daniel Halangahu, Lote Tuqiri; Kurtley Beale, Brett Sheehan; Wycliff Palu, David Lyons, Rocky Elsom; Will Caldwell, Dean Mumm; Alastair Baxter, Adam Freier, Benn Robinson.

Replacements: Al Manning, Matt Dunning, Ben Hand, Beau Robinson, Josh Valentine, Sam Norton-Knight, Sam Harris.