New South Wales Waratahs coach Ewen McKenzie has named Mat Rogers on the bench for Saturday's Super 14 home clash against the Sharks.
It will be Rogers' first match of the year after taking time out following the sudden death in January of his father, rugby league great Steve Rogers.
Rogers' inclusion is one of several changes to the side who lost to the Bulls in South Africa last weekend, with Matt Dunning, Rocky Elsom and Wendell Sailor all suspended for the Aussie Stadium clash.
Benn Robinson replaces Dunning at prop to make his Super 14 run-on debut, Wycliff Palu takes over from Elsom at blindside flanker and David Lyons returns to No 8 for Stephen Hoiles.
Lineout general Daniel Vickerman returns from a lower back injury, moving Will Caldwell to the bench.
Waratahs team:
Sam Norton-Knight, Peter Hewat, Morgan Turinui, Shaun Berne, Lote Tuqiri, Daniel Halangahu, Chris Whitaker (captain), David Lyons, Phil Waugh, Wycliff Palu, Daniel Vickerman, Alex Kanaar, Al Baxter, Adam Freier, Benn Robinson. Reserves: Tatafu Polota-Nau, Troy Takiari, Will Caldwell, Stephen Hoiles, Brett Sheehan, Mat Rogers, Ben Jacobs.
