Waratahs wing Alex Newsome will start against the Highlanders in the only change made ahead of the quarter-final in Sydney on Saturday.

Newsome replaces Cam Clark, who moves to the bench. Otherwise coach Daryl Gibson has opted for an unchanged side for the do-or-die match.

‘Alex has been really impressive in the last three games in terms of his impact off the bench and he really deserves a start,’ Gibson said.

‘Every time he’s touched the ball, he’s added something. He’s got some excellent wingers he’s going to be up against and we know he can do the job.’

The Waratahs are coming off a loss to the Brumbies in Sydney. They did beat the Highlanders at home earlier this season, though.

Waratahs – 15 Israel Folau, 14 Alex Newsome, 13 Curtis Rona, 12 Kurtley Beale, 11 Taqele Naiyaravoro, 10 Bernard Foley (c), 9 Nick Phipps, 8 Michael Wells, 7 Will Miller, 6 Ned Hanigan, 5 Rob Simmons, 4 Jed Holloway, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Damien Fitzpatrick, 1 Tom Robertson.
Subs: 16 Tolu Latu, 17 Harry Johnson-Holmes, 18 Paddy Ryan, 19 Tom Staniforth, 20 Brad Wilkin, 21 Jake Gordon, 22 Cam Clark, 23 Bryce Hegarty.

Super Rugby teams (Quarter-finals)

Photo: Scott Barbour/Getty Images