Round 3: Waratahs v Highlanders - Friday 8 March 2024

[Braveheart81]

Huge game for the Tahs to have their first home game of the season on the back of an excellent performance against the Crusaders. Fans will be excited and the attendance should be pretty good. A strong performance is crucial to show some consistency and instill some belief in the fanbase.

It seemed like we got through the Crusaders game in relatively good shape so hopefully we have the same players available for selection with a couple more returning players available for selection (Perese, Harrison and Slack-Smith). I'd expect Perese to come straight back into the starting XV but that could be the only unforced change.

 

[Derpus]

Yeah I might even go. Probably the first time I will have been to back to back games in a decade.

 

[Crashy]

Hopefully Pietsch is playing. Heard he had a head knock.
Now is not the time for the Tahs to get complacent and believe any hype. ( not that I've seen any). Perfect opportunity to beat 2 kiwi teams in a row as they seem to be a team that feeds off confidence.

 

[Braveheart81]

Pietsch cops a hit in the head at around the 33:45 mark in the first half. He's slow to get up then doesn't really get involved for the rest of the half. He's replaced at half time.

 

[Pfitzy]

GA ticket + 2 Coopers for $40. Not bad, considering the price of alcohol inside the venue.

 

[Quicktapsonly]

Highlanders to bring them back down to earth.

 

[Rob42]

The worst time to be a Waratahs supporter is 7 days after a great performance.

 

[Pfitzy]

The worst time to be a Waratahs supporter is 7 days after a great performance.

Or 6 days in this case

 

[Crashy]

But THIS time its different!

 

[Derpus]

Isn't that the only time we've got to enjoy?

 

[Crashy]

But THIS time its different!

As in which DIFFERENT way will they destroy our hope!

 

[Heavyd]

Given the big win over the Crusaders, great weather forecast and the game being on a Friday (easy for the CBD crowd to jump a tram after a few arvo beers) what should the crowd expectation be? I would of thought anything under 15,000 as a big disappointment?

 

[Dan54]

Well I hope the Tahs supporters come out and support them for the game, though real supporters should always be there anyway.

 

[Yoda]

Tahs by 10.

 

[Crashy]

Crowd estimates?

 

[Yoda]

Crowd estimates?

12000

 

[Crashy]

yeah probably - should really be 15k plus. well 40k plus to be serious

 

[Braveheart81]

1. Loosehead Prop - Angus Bell (Sydney University)

2. Hooker - Mahe Vailanu (Gordon)

3. Tighthead Prop - Harry Johnson-Holmes (Sydney University)

4. Left Lock - Jed Holloway (Southern Districts)

5. Right Lock - Hugh Sinclair (Northern Suburbs)

6. Left Flanker - Ned Hanigan (Randwick)

7. Right Flanker - Charlie Gamble (Eastern Suburbs)

8. Number 8 - Langi Gleeson (Manly)

9. Scrumhalf - Jake Gordon © (Sydney University)

10. Flyhalf - Tane Edmed (Eastwood)

11. Left Wing - Triston Reilly (Randwick)

12. Inside Centre - Joey Walton (Gordon)

13. Outside Centre - Izaia Perese (Eastern Suburbs)

14. Right Wing - Mark Nawaqanitawase (Eastwood)

15. Fullback - Max Jorgensen (Randwick)

16. Reserve - Julian Heaven (Eastern Suburbs)

17. Reserve - Hayden Thompson-Stringer (Manly)

18. Reserve - Tom Ross (Northern Suburbs)**

19. Reserve - Miles Amatosero (Eastern Suburbs)

20. Reserve - Fergus Lee-Warner (Eastern Suburbs)

21. Reserve - Teddy Wilson (Eastern Suburbs)

22. Reserve - Harry Wilson (Eastern Suburbs)

23. Reserve - Mosese Tuipulotu (Randwick)





Players unavailable for selection:

• David Porecki - Achillies (Round 4+)
• Thomas Lambert - Knee (Season)
• Archer Holz - Shoulder (Round 8)
• Mesu Kunavula – Knee (Season)
• Lachlan Swinton - Neck (Indefinite)
• Lalakai Foketi - Neck (Indefinite)
• Dylan Pietsch - Eye (Round 4)

 

[Wilson]

Players unavailable for selection:

• David Porecki - Achillies (Round 4+)

Not great for Porecki if that recovery extends out again beyond round 4

 

[Braveheart81]

HIGHLANDERS (15-1): Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Tanielu Tele'a, Sam Gilbert, Jona Nareki, Rhys Patchell, Folau Fakatava, Hugh Renton, Nikora Broughton, Tom Sanders, Max Hicks, Fabian Holland, Jermaine Ainsley, Henry Bell, Ethan de Groot (c)

Reserves: Ricky Jackson, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Saula Ma'u, Sean Withy, Billy Harmon, James Arscott, Ajay Faleafaga, Jonah Lowe

Highlanders have dropped captain Billy Harmon and backrower Sean Withy for being late to a team meeting.