SR2023 R2 - Waratahs vs Drua - Saturday 4 March @ 7.35pm

[Braveheart81]

It's only week two but this already shapes up as a must win for the Tahs.

The Drua staged a big comeback to beat Moana in round 1 and will be confident that they can cause an upset.

The Tahs just have to be clinical here and not make as many mistakes as they did in round 1. They also have to work harder to re-align and prevent counter-attacks and broken field opportunities that the Drua will try and pounce on.

 

[fatprop]

Drua look scary

 

[Marce]

This is a MUST win game. I hope the lads can raise the bar

 

[Marce]

Drua look scary

Don't scare me. Maybe I have to watch the replay of Drua-Moana game. Is it worth?

 

[fatprop]

Don't scare me. Maybe I have to watch the replay of Drua-Moana game. Is it worth?

Yeah, they have forwards with more pace than our backs, there was one moment where one of their locks accelerated into space, faark

Their 13 looks great as well

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Drua look scary

It's the unpredictability of them that is so hard to plan for.

I think the best way to play them is to stick to your strengths and nail the set piece. Drua can do things that will just happen so roll on with it.

 

[Marce]

Yeah, they have forwards with more pace than our backs, there was one moment where one of their locks accelerated into space, faarked

Their 13 looks great as well

F*ck. Is there an area where we are better?

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

F*ck. Is there an area where we are better?

Hopefully the ability to stay in the grind. Don't play into their hands. You'll be skinned if you try.

 

[Marce]

I think the best way to play them is to stick to your strengths and nail the set piece. Drua can do things that will just happen so roll on with it.

We have to play test rugby against them. Take the 3 points as many times as possible and secure your set pieces. Eventually they gonna get mad and the cards will appear

This is like England-Wallabies in the last 10 games. We are England lol

 

[Braveheart81]

Take the 3 points as many times as possible and secure your set pieces.

This should be the plan regardless of the opposition.

 

[fatprop]

We have to play test rugby against them. Take the 3 points as many times as possible and secure your set pieces. Eventually they gonna get mad and the cards will appear

This is like England-Wallabies in the last 10 games. We are England lol

If we start throwing dumb passes again to players in worse positions it will be painful

If we pull our heads in, play for field position (as we should with Edmed) and build score board pressure we should win. But that has been the game plan vs Fiji teams for 50 years

 

[Brumby Runner]

Maona Pacifica were all over the Drua in the forwards in the first 40 - 60 minutes. That's where the Tahs can have the edge if they pick the right players. Holloway, Lambert, Gleeson and Harris could have a field day running the ball in close, but starting two No 7s won't help the cause.

 

[Dctarget]

With Bell out Latu has to start.

 

[Drew]

Don't scare me. Maybe I have to watch the replay of Drua-Moana game. Is it worth?

Very entertaining game

 

[Marce]

I've watched the replay of Moana v Drua game. We can damage them with the piggies. Their defence is pretty poor, they don't pay attention but with ball in hands are dangerous.

Drua:

36 missed tackles from 115
3/6 conversions

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Yes, the Tahs should be able to score points as they did v the Brumbies but it's all about defence in this one.

Brumbies scored 31 which is too many if you are going to have a successful season. The type of try Lonergan scored off the back of Wrights work is exactly what the Drua can do over and over. Brumbies also made a lot of ground and half breaks by getting on the outside quickly almost using a League style block play of 5-6 years ago. This is something they planned but is also a naturally Fijian way of attack with a distributor becoming the support to create the extra man. It's not difficult to shut down if your players have the ability to 1v1 bring down their opponent but this was the issue v the Brumbies at times that I'm sure some of the Drua would love a chance at the same situation.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

 

[fatprop]

A more sensible back row and Sinclair is a good Super Rugby lock

 

[A mutterer]

gotta admit i prefer the balance this week than just trying to shove our best players all on the park at the same time.

harris and gamble coming on late will help us inject some good pace and workrate to close things out.

 

[Micheal]

1. Tom Lambert
3. Archer Holz
18. Daniel Botha

Me: