Hurricanes vs Waratahs Super Rugby R7 2025 - Friday 28 March
- Thread starter Braveheart81
- Start date
They have an interchange bench?
He's improved every game. I think it's a case of rotation more than anything. JAS is finally available, Foketi is available again and they're looking for an opportunity for Saunders to debut.
As harsh as it is though, he may struggle to get back into the 23 if Walton/Foketi/Sua'ali'i remain healthy.
As harsh as it is though, he may struggle to get back into the 23 if Walton/Foketi/Sua'ali'i remain healthy.
Hawko
Tony Shaw (54)
The Waratahs should have switched Bell and Kailea. Kailea has looked strong and Bell has had a massive workload. On the other side, Botha has been pushed around badly two weeks in a row. Maybe the others are injured, bit as soon as Tupou goes off I have my heart in my mouth every time a scrum is called. If Tupou and Bell are to be rested next week against Moana (enforced) then our starting scrum with Botha will be be on roller skates.
My guess is that Sinclair is rested, not dropped. He does a huge amount of the tight work and, to my eyes has been part of the hidden glue that's held us together. Amatosero could improve a lot by emulating him.
Given the form over the last few weeks, I don't understand why Sualii has been picked at 13. We drop a guy who has been improving rapidly and then pull Jorgo out of position to fill Kellaway's spot. I am disappointed to see O'Donnell lose his place. So far this season, Foketi has been utterly forgettable.
Looking forward to Wilson giving Roigard an education!
My guess is that this team has been chosen to try to get a bonus point loss and then get the best team on the park next week, (Bell and Tupou aside) to get the best shot at one win from two on the roadtrip.
My guess is that Sinclair is rested, not dropped. He does a huge amount of the tight work and, to my eyes has been part of the hidden glue that's held us together. Amatosero could improve a lot by emulating him.
Given the form over the last few weeks, I don't understand why Sualii has been picked at 13. We drop a guy who has been improving rapidly and then pull Jorgo out of position to fill Kellaway's spot. I am disappointed to see O'Donnell lose his place. So far this season, Foketi has been utterly forgettable.
Looking forward to Wilson giving Roigard an education!
My guess is that this team has been chosen to try to get a bonus point loss and then get the best team on the park next week, (Bell and Tupou aside) to get the best shot at one win from two on the roadtrip.
Last edited:
Ghost of rai will be over the moon
BDA
Jim Lenehan (48)
I understand your point in terms of questioning sualii's selection at 13, but i definitely think this is the kind of game where sualii could really shine. Canes tend to play a bit more unstructured and sualii's natural ability should shine in a more free flowing games. He seems to have the knack for winning big moments, an intangible the tahs will probably need to pull out a win
Derpus
Phil Waugh (73)
Another candidate for a move west perhaps.
Nice to be able to drop Jorgo and welcome in JAS though.
Dan54
David Wilson (68)
That genuinely surprises me if Canes strong favourites on Aus TAB, I happy if they are,just surprises me. I genuinely think losing Godfrey at 10 was almost killer blow. Though to be fair I haven't seen enough of Hohepa at 10 this year to judge him too harshly, I guessing Love is back up 10.
Still as a Canes man, I remain hopeful, like our forward pack with Lomax and Aumua back, so will be fun anyway.
A mutterer
Chilla Wilson (44)
Think the canes front row has you guys with the edge.
We won against the ponies through our forward play and their defence. Sinclair was a big part of that. Miles will need to replicate that or he may find it hard to crack the starting team later in the year.
We won against the ponies through our forward play and their defence. Sinclair was a big part of that. Miles will need to replicate that or he may find it hard to crack the starting team later in the year.
The Ghost of Raelene
Nick Farr-Jones (63)
I think he can go past Walton for the 12 jersey in time as well. It's where he played his junior footy and a big body with offloading ability at 12 sounds good to me if the 13 jersey does go to JAS.
Walton has been about as good as we've seen him and DM was surely looking to keep some experience in the starting side with the other guys out this week.
A rest for O'Donnell is fine. Young player has had a good showing in what 3 or 4 starts and he will get more when injuries and other rests pop up. Hard to not see him get one of the starting jerseys in 2026.
Already been there done that. DM wanted him at the Tahs so I reckon a guy like Foketi or Walton are better chances of going to the Force and complete the transition to NSWs second side.
Wilson
John Eales (66)
I'd be very surprised if Foketi is still in Australia next year at this point. Great if he is, but his next contract is probably his last chance to cash in and he's running out of time to push himself back into the wallabies frame (past Paisami/Stewart/Feliuai who are all younger), let alone into contention for a top up.
PhilClinton
Paul McLean (56)
Have three people posted the same team graphic or are there multiple versions with changes I'm not noticing?
It's been posted three times. In my defence I posted it the second time because I wanted to make a joke about Creighton/Saunders.
Fatprop posted it the third time because he doesn't read other people's posts
Fatprop posted it the third time because he doesn't read other people's posts
Adam84
John Eales (66)
Yeah, Tah's lack of rest/rotation is interesting/disappointing given the Brumbies/Reds & Force have all been doing it.. Especially for someone like Bell who already has a big workload/has a history of injuries and is critical to the Wallabies chances versus B&I Lions.
I'm expecting to see guys like Bell/Tupous rested against Moana and Drua at the very least.