Round 18 of Super Rugby concludes on Sunday afternoon at Allianz Stadium with the match everyone is anticipating. Victory over the Brumbies last weekend propelled the Tahs to the top of the table and Aussie conference champs. Across the Tasman, The Highlanders scraped home in a close one over the Chiefs to move to fourth and equal top of the New Zealand conference. The match of the round pits the two hottest backlines in the competition against each other and neither is short on form.
After losing their inspirational captain Dave Dennis to a serious knee injury, the Waratahs will be full of motivation and passion. For the Tahs, this week is well and truly about doing it for Denno.
The teams
The only change to the Waratahs sees Stephen Hoiles replace Dennis. It is currently uncertain whether Mitch Chapman or Pat McCutcheon will join the bench. Despite only returning to club rugby a couple of weeks ago, Mitch Chapman seems likely to get the spot based on his lineout prowess. In something of a case of serendipity, Chapman and Hoiles, the man who only got a contract due to an Achilles tear to Chapman will both now play a crucial role in the team’s most important games of the season.
The Highlanders are unchanged and will know that a loss will leave their finals chances hanging by a thread. With the Crusaders looming in Christchurch next weekend, the Clan know that two wins means first in the conference and a home final and two losses means they’ll probably miss out altogether.
The matchups
Rugby fans are licking their lips at the chance to see the two form fullbacks in world rugby, Israel Folau and Ben Smith go head to head. Both have been outstanding and are a constant threat in attack. Smith finished off a sensational length of the field try last week started by a Malakai Fekitoa line break. He combined with New Zealand’s answer to the Honey Badger, Richard Buckman who put Smith away on his inside with a perfect pass.
Whilst Fekitoa has been the most dangerous ball runner in the competition, Adam Ashley-Cooper is a master of keeping talented opponents quiet. His strong defence and expert positioning will make life for Fekitoa difficult but he’ll have to be ever vigilant as there are few better tackle busters than Malakai. Last week’s two try hero Alofa Alofa has signalled his intent of taking the Waratahs all the way and will be hungry for more tries. Israel Folau made an uncharacteristic mistake letting Jesse Mogg score last week but in attack he was instrumental in much of the Waratahs attack. His positioning and decision making are getting better and better.
There’s almost certainly going to be plenty of scintillating backline play but what’s even more likely is that this match will be decided in the forwards. The Waratahs know that this is where their advantage lies and providing their side with good ball and starving the opposition of their fair share is the minimum required to achieve victory. Up front, Benn Robinson, Tatafu Polota-Nau and Sekope Kepu were excellent last week and will know that they need to set the platform against Kane Hames, Brayden Mitchell and Ma’afu Fia. The Highlanders pack is industrious but if the Waratahs can repeat the physicality that is becoming a trademark, they should be able to achieve a significant advantage. New captain Michael Hooper is sure to be everywhere as usual both in attack and defence. After leading the Wallabies to victory over France, he’s sure to take the extra responsibility in his stride.
Fearless Prediction
The Waratahs will be hoping for clear skies and a big crowd to cheer them home at Allianz Stadium. Family Day will have the kids out in force and the ground is sure to be buzzing. Once again, this game shapes as a defining match for both sides and victory will mean the Tahs can return to Allianz in three week’s time to try and secure a place in the grand final. So far the Tahs have remained focused and consistent and there’ll be plenty in sky blue hoping that continues. It’s too important not to. Tahs by 5 in a close game with plenty of tries.
Benn Robinson 1 Kane Hames
Tatafu Polota-Nau 2 Brayden Mitchell
Sekope Kepu 3 Ma'afu Fia
Jacques Potgieter 4 Tom Franklin
Kane Dougles 5 Joe Wheeler
Stephen Hoiles 6 Elliot Dixon
Michael Hooper (captain) 7 Shane Christie
Wycliff Palu 8 Nasi Manu
Nick Phipps 9 Aaron Smith
Bernard Foley 10 Lima Sopoaga
Rob Horne 11 Patrick Osborne
Kurtley Beale 12 Shaun Treeby
Adam Ashley-Cooper 13 Malakai Fekitoa
Alofa Alofa 14 Richard Buckman
Israel Folau 15 Ben Smith
Reserves
Tolu Latu 16 Ged Robinson
Jeremy Tilse 17 Matias Diaz
Paddy Ryan 18 Chris King
Will Skelton 19 Josh Bekhuis
Mitch Chapman 20 Lee Allan
Pat McCutcheon 21 Fumiaki Tanaka
Brendan McKibbin/ Taqele Naiyaravoro 22 Hayden Parker
Jono Lance/Cam Crawford 23 Phil Burleigh
Location: Allianz Stadium Sydney
Kickoff: Sun 6 Jul 16:05
Referee: Steve Walsh
Assistant Ref 1: Andrew Lees
Assistant Ref 2: Ed Martin
TMO : George Ayoub
