McKibbin to lead 'Tahs in Hobart

Scrumhalf Brendan McKibbin will lead the Waratahs in their pre-season clash against the Rebels at the North Hobart Football Club on Saturday.

The 27-year-old halfback will be assisted by two vice captains in prop Jeremy Tilse and flyhalf Bernard Foley.  

The match will also see six new recruits (Ollie Atkins, Cam Crawford, Israel Folau, Luke Holmes, Matt Lucas and Ben Volavola) in action for the Waratahs for the first time.

Also included are 10 players from outside the contracted squad.  

Invited to training by Cheika, these promising players are among a number that have been training with the squad since the end of 2012, having being identified as up and coming talent from within the club, school and country ranks.    

The Waratahs will play three 2013 pre-season trial matches, firstly against the Rebels on Saturday, then the Blues (Toll Stadium, Whangarei) on Saturday, February 9 and finally the Crusaders at Allianz Stadium on Thursday, February 14.  

With these complete, the Waratahs start their Super Rugby campaign in Round Two by travelling to Brisbane to take on the Queensland Reds on Saturday, February 23.

Waratahs squad: Michael Alaalatoa, Richard Aho, Kotoni Ale, Ollie Atkins, Peter Betham, Wayne Borzak, Tom Carter, Cam Crawford, Israel Folau, Bernard Foley, Grayson Hart, Michael Hodge, Luke Holmes, Rob Horne, AJ Gilbert, Tom Kingston, Matt Lucas, Brendan McKibbin (captain), Tolu Latu, Dane Maraki, Elijah Niko, Greg Peterson, Jeremy Tilse, Lopeti Timani, Peter Samu, Will Skelton, John Ulugia, Ben Volavola.   

Date: Saturday February 2

Venue: North Hobart Football Club, Hobart

Kick-off: 17.30 (06.30 GMT)

Referee: Angus Gardner

Assistant referees: Ed Martin, Richard Goswell