THE frustrating wait for the Andrew Tuala is about to end.
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The powerhouse former Wanderers hooker is set to be named on the bench for the NSW Waratahs' clash against bitter foe Queensland at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday night.
The team will be named on Thursday, with young gun Tom Horton to start against the Reds and Tuala to provide back up.
It will be the 29-year-old's first appearance in Super Rugby AU and the first time he lines up against the arch enemy.
Tuala replaces Joe Cotton who was this week released to play club rugby for Southern Districts.
Robbie Abel, who started in six of the seven Super Rugby games before COVID-19, has also fallen out of favour.
Tuala's last appearance for the Tahs was off the bench in a 24-23 loss to the Brumbies in the final round of Super Rugby on March 15, before the competition was abandoned and replaced with Super Rugby Au.
He has remained in the Waratahs bubble and due to COVID protocols has not been allowed to train or play with his new club side Southern Districts in the Shute Shield.
After making his debut in the Tahs' 20-12 win over Super Rugby champions the Crusaders in round six of the 2019 rugby season, did enough to earn a full-time contract for 2020.
The Waratahs are fourth at the halfway point of the competition and must win to stay in the hunt for a top-three finals berth. The unbeaten Brumbies face the third-placed Rebels on Friday night at Leichhardt Oval.
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