Round 19 - Waratahs v Brumbies

[RoffsChoice]

The Waratahs are confirmed top of the conference. A win here will guarantee them the second seed, while a losing bonus point will mean it can only come down to PD against the Lions.

The Brumbies need to win with a bonus point to have any chance of finals rugby, but they also need the Rebels to lose by more than 7 in Dunedin, while all they need is for the Sharks to not win against the Jaguares.

Both teams have been in good form following the June tests, but the Waratahs have had a class edge in putting teams away, while the Brumbies have been wasteful, and have made very sloppy mistakes.

Heart says Brumbies by 10, head says Tahs by 5.

 

[RoffsChoice]

Likely line-ups:

 

[barbarian]

After the saga of not resting Pocock, Allan A and co, the Brumbies owe a debt to Australian rugby. It's time for them to do their bit for the game in this country.

Canberra, it's time to lay down. Pick a third string side, a few experimental backline moves, blood some youngsters (16 and 17 year olds).

It's what we need. And by 'we' I mean Aussie rugby fans. Which, of course, really means Tahs fans.
.

 

[Slim 293]

Based on recent performances, we will happily rest Wallaby stars Joe Powell and Sam Carter.........

 

[Tomikin]

After the saga of not resting Pocock, Allan A and co, the Brumbies owe a debt to Australian rugby. It's time for them to do their bit for the game in this country.

Canberra, it's time to lay down. Pick a third string side, a few experimental backline moves, blood some youngsters (16 and 17 year olds).

It's what we need. And by 'we' I mean Aussie rugby fans. Which, of course, really means Tahs fans.
.

You know if we did that Murphys law is we would give you a touch up..

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[Brumby Runner]

RC, interesting you see Sio and Carter returning via the bench. I know there is a temptation not to fiddle with the lineup too much when it has been performing very well in recent games, but then why replace Powell with Lucas? Powell suffered a very heavy knock early on against the Chiefs and his below par performance could be related to that.

Any news on Tom Cusack? Didn't he fail the HIA against the Chiefs?

I think I would bring Sio straight back in, but otherwise retain the side that has performed so good over the past three or four games, injuries aside.

 

[RoffsChoice]

RC, interesting you see Sio and Carter returning via the bench. I know there is a temptation not to fiddle with the lineup too much when it has been performing very well in recent games, but then why replace Powell with Lucas? Powell suffered a very heavy knock early on against the Chiefs and his below par performance could be related to that.

Any news on Tom Cusack? Didn't he fail the HIA against the Chiefs?

I think I would bring Sio straight back in, but otherwise retain the side that has performed so good over the past three or four games, injuries aside.

The noises I'm hearing are that Sio and Carter aren't necessarily fit, but, if they are, then they'd prefer to use them off the bench. Cusack is meant to be okay, but we'll see. Failing that, I imagine we will see Ben Hyne get a bench spot with McCaffrey starting.

Lucas over Powell is entirely my call!

 

[mst]

Canberra, it's time to lay down. Pick a third string side, a few experimental backline moves, blood some youngsters (16 and 17 year olds).

It's what we need. And by 'we' I mean Aussie rugby fans. Which, of course, really means Tahs fans.
.

I love Aussie rugby! If we can't cut and buy our way to the finals it back to the old dispensations and favours for the Tahs.

The scary bad 10th place Brumbies might ruin your limping in to the finals. Boo hoo!

I think you may have tempted fate and expect Dismal will be swooping in to collect tears.

 

[What_the...]

A few years ago I would be very worried about playing a back line containing Lilo, Speight, K-Train and Godwin but none of them are playing anywhere near where they were. As long as the passes stick and TN doesn’t force the last pass all the time I expect we will win that battle.

Forwards will be interesting, Tahs should have the scrum but Lineouts and rucks I am not confident.

Tahs by 11.


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[Lindommer]

Robertson, Kepu, Ryan, 7As (Allan Ala'alatoa) and Sio (and Alexander) have ALL played both sides of the scrum. No wonder our scrums've been shite these last 10 years.

 

[RoffsChoice]

It's in the Tahs' best interests that we get the 8th seed. We head over to NZ, knock out the Crusaders, and then the Tahs have top seed all the way to the final. It's as it should be. Come on, Sydney. Do what's right for Australia. Do what's right for yourself.

 

[Derpus]

A few years ago I would be very worried about playing a back line containing Lilo, Speight, K-Train and Godwin but none of them are playing anywhere near where they were. As long as the passes stick and TN doesn’t force the last pass all the time I expect we will win that battle.

Forwards will be interesting, Tahs should have the scrum but Lineouts and rucks I am not confident.

Tahs by 11.


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Think our lineout is one of the best in the competition.

 

[cyclopath]

It's in the Tahs' best interests that we get the 8th seed. We head over to NZ, knock out the Crusaders, and then the Tahs have top seed all the way to the final. It's as it should be. Come on, Sydney. Do what's right for Australia. Do what's right for yourself.

If the Tahs lose, they're likely 3rd seed, so your plan fails.

 

[Hawko]

If the Tahs lose, they're likely 3rd seed, so your plan fails.

Someone mentioned somewhere that PD is the decider. So if the Tahs lose by <7 and the Lions don't get a bonus point then the Tahs stay 2nd and the Lions 3rd.

 

[cyclopath]

Someone mentioned somewhere that PD is the decider. So if the Tahs lose by <7 and the Lions don't get a bonus point then the Tahs stay 2nd and the Lions 3rd.

Yeah, but the way the Tahs score points, if they lose by <7 it is unlikely the Brumbies would get a BP by scoring 3 more tries. Plan still fails.

 

[Hawko]

Yeah, but the way the Tahs score points, if they lose by <7 it is unlikely the Brumbies would get a BP by scoring 3 more tries. Plan still fails.

You got me.

 

[Brumby Runner]

Think our lineout is one of the best in the competition.

Certainly, but the scrum is another matter altogether. The only way the Tahs will compete at scrum time is on their backs to stop being shoved 30m towards their try line. If the past is a guide, the refs will allow it to happen too, and the "Waratah collapse" will again go unpunished.

 

[cyclopath]

Certainly, but the scrum is another matter altogether. The only way the Tahs will compete at scrum time is on their backs to stop being shoved 30m towards their try line. If the past is a guide, the refs will allow it to happen too, and the "Waratah collapse" will again go unpunished.

What a crock of shit.

 

[Hawko]

What a crock of shit.

I think he was just trying to get inside your head. The Brumbies starting scrum might be slightly better with Fitzpatrick at hooker rather than Latu, but if the Reds scrum didn't demolish us the Brumbies certainly won't.

 

[barbarian]

No, Cyclo, the Waratah conspiracy knows no boundaries. Not only does it permeate 98% of this very forum and the entire RA/Wallaby coaching staff, it has spread through the officiating ranks as well.

God knows when the spread of this horrible pandemic will end.