Stephen Hoiles has replaced injured skipper Dave Dennis for the Waratahs' clash with the Highlanders in Sydney.

With Dennis sidelined for the rest of the season, Hoiles will wear the No 6 jersey on Sunday, while Michael Hooper takes over the captaincy, as the Waratahs look to secure a home semi-final.

Cheika had other options, like moving Jacques Potgieter to the back row and bringing in Will Skelton or Mitchell Chapman at lock, but he opted for the experience of Hoiles, a former Brumbies captain, who has played in 114 Super Rugby matches.

Meanwhile, the Highlanders have named an unchanged team for the crunch clash in Sydney.

Waratahs – 15 Israel Folau, 14 Alofa Alofa, 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12 Kurtley Beale, 11 Rob Horne, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Nick Phipps, 8 Wycliff Palu, 7 Michael Hooper (c), 6 Stephen Hoiles, 5 Kane Dougles, 4 Jacques Potgieter, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 Benn Robinson.
Subs: 16 Tolu Latu, 17 Jeremy Tilse, 18 Paddy Ryan, 19 Will Skelton, 20 Mitch Chapman, 21 Pat McCutcheon, 22 Brendan McKibbin, 23 Jono Lance, 24 Taqele Naiyaravoro, 25 Cam Crawford (two to be omitted).

Highlanders – 15 Ben Smith, 14 Richard Buckman, 13 Malakai Fekitoa, 12 Shaun Treeby, 11 Patrick Osborne, 10 Lima Sopoaga, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Nasi Manu (c), 7 Shane Christie, 6 Elliot Dixon, 5 Joe Wheeler, 4 Tom Franklin, 3 Ma'afu Fia, 2 Brayden Mitchell, 1 Kane Hames.
Subs: 16 Ged Robinson, 17 Matias Diaz, 18 Chris King, 19 Josh Bekhuis, 20 Lee Allan, 21 Fumiaki Tanaka, 22 Hayden Parker, 23 Phil Burleigh.

Photo: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images