Whiteley was set to start in the No.8 jersey for the match in Sydney. However, the 30-year-old was withdrawn from the team at the last minute due to a recurring knee injury.

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Lions team doctor Rob Collins confirmed that Whiteley injured his knee in training on Monday. Whiteley has been out of action since Round Four of Super Rugby.

"Warren returned from injury yesterday [Monday] and while he was running in training he felt a click in his knee and the knee swelled up overnight, but it iss nothing we are worried about," said Collins.

"He doesn't feel comfortable with it and we just want to take a precaution and send him for a scan today [Tuesday] and see an orthopaedic surgeon today as well.

"Most likely it won't show anything that we are worried about and he will join us a bit later [on tour].

Meanwhile, Francois Mostert will start in the No.7 jersey against the Waratahs with Marvin Orie and Andries Ferreira combining in the second row.

Scrumhalf Nicholas Groom could make his first appearance for the Lions after he was named on the bench. Centre Rohan Janse has also been included on the bench.

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Lions: 15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Ruan Combrinck, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Madosh Tambwe, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Dillon Smit, 8 Hacjivah Dayimani, 7 Francois Mostert (captain), 6 Albertus Smith, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Andries Ferreira, 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Jacques van Rooyen.

Replacements: 16 Robbie Coetzee, 17 Dylan Smith, 18 Jacobie Adriaanse, 19 Lourens Erasmus, 20 Marnus Schoeman, 21 Nicholas Groom, 22 Rohan Janse van Rensburg, 23 Sylvian Mahuza.

Date; Friday, April 20

Venue: Allianz Stadium, Sydney

Kick-off: 19.45 (11.45 SA Time; 09.45 GMT)

Referee: TBC

Assistant referees: TBC

TMO: TBC

PV: 1