Super Rugby Round 10, Waratahs vs Lions - Friday 20 April 2018

[Braveheart81]

I wouldn't expect the Tahs to make any changes for this game unless they are injury forced. They seemed pretty much intact after the game though. Wells had a sore shoulder but hopefully nothing major.

Certainly the toughest game of the season so far for the Waratahs but one they really have to win. It would give them some excellent momentum heading into four matches against New Zealand sides.

 

[Derpus]

I wouldn't expect the Tahs to make any changes for this game unless they are injury forced. They seemed pretty much intact after the game though. Wells had a sore shoulder but hopefully nothing major.

Certainly the toughest game of the season so far for the Waratahs but one they really have to win. It would give them some excellent momentum heading into four matches against New Zealand sides.

Fuck me. Is one of them the Blues at least?

 

[Braveheart81]

Fuck me. Is one of them the Blues at least?

Yes. We play them first (Lions then a bye) at Brookvale Oval.

We play the Crusaders and Chiefs away, Highlanders and Blues at home and don't play the Hurricanes.

 

[KOB1987]

I know the Lions are leading their conference but they have won 5 from 8 and the team coming 2nd has won 3 from 7.

I hope this doesn’t come back to bite me but I don’t think they are the force they have been the past few seasons. I predict a victory for the Tahs here followed by a NZ drought breaker over the blues.

 

[Up the Guts]

I know the Lions are leading their conference but they have won 5 from 8 and the team coming 2nd has won 3 from 7.

I hope this doesn’t come back to bite me but I don’t think they are the force they have been the past few seasons. I predict a victory for the Tahs here followed by a NZ drought breaker over the blues.

Agree, don’t think the SA conference has been necessarily that strong this year.

 

[Ulrich]

Hard to gauge really whether the Lions went through an unusually low patch or whether they simply aren't as good.

Also difficult to gauge conference strengths when pretty much everyone in AUS still have to travel whereas in SA almost all teams have finished their traveling schedules so things may even out in time.

 

[Micheal]

I wouldn't expect the Tahs to make any changes for this game unless they are injury forced. They seemed pretty much intact after the game though. Wells had a sore shoulder but hopefully nothing major.

Certainly the toughest game of the season so far for the Waratahs but one they really have to win. It would give them some excellent momentum heading into four matches against New Zealand sides.

Was Miller not injured as well at the end of the game? Hence why we finished with Roach in the backrow.

Either way - I think all of Hooper, Wells, Miller and Holloway are coming into some form and I wouldn't mind any of them starting.

When's Dempsey due back? That'll throw a spanner in the works. Otherwise, the rest of the team is hitting some form with the scrum and the lineout going well, the forwards busy around the park, and the backs look dangerous, if not impatient. Keep the everything the same where possible.

I'm really looking forward to this game. Big T to run over some of the smaller Lions backs.

 

[KOB1987]

Hard to gauge really whether the Lions went through an unusually low patch or whether they simply aren't as good.

Also difficult to gauge conference strengths when pretty much everyone in AUS still have to travel whereas in SA almost all teams have finished their traveling schedules so things may even out in time.

Yes, I don't disagree with this however the 2015-2017 Lions would be 7/8 or 8/8, not lost to the Blues or Jaguares, and beaten the Sunwolves by more than 2 points. So it's just an objective assessment.

 

[dru]

Yes, I don't disagree with this however the 2015-2017 Lions would be 7/8 or 8/8, not lost to the Blues or Jaguares, and beaten the Sunwolves by more than 2 points. So it's just an objective assessment.

It is objective only if you presume that the Blues, Jaguares and Sunwolves have been static. There is also a matter as the whether we are comparing home or away games.

All the same, I'd like to think that the Waratahs will get up for this one.

 

[fatprop]

Hard to gauge really whether the Lions went through an unusually low patch or whether they simply aren't as good.

Also difficult to gauge conference strengths when pretty much everyone in AUS still have to travel whereas in SA almost all teams have finished their traveling schedules so things may even out in time.

The Tahs have been to SA, Argentina and Japan.

The only road trip they have left is NZ

 

[Ulrich]

Yes, I don't disagree with this however the 2015-2017 Lions would be 7/8 or 8/8, not lost to the Blues or Jaguares, and beaten the Sunwolves by more than 2 points. So it's just an objective assessment.

While I agree, they lost to the Jaguares in 2016 and 2017. It's home side wins between these two it seems. Maybe it's all about the catfight.

 

[Braveheart81]

Lions to face the Waratahs
1. Jacques Van Rooyen
2. Malcolm Marx
3. Ruan Dreyer
4. Andries Ferreira
5. Marvin Orie
6. Albertus “Kwagga” Smith
7. Franco Mostert (C)
8. Hacjivah Dayimani
9. Dillon Smit
10. Elton Jantjies
11. Madosh Tambwe
12. Harold Vorster
13. Lionel Mapoe
14. Ruan Combrinck
15. Andries Coetzee
Reserves
Robbie Coetzee
Dylan Smith
Jacobie Adriaanse
Lourens Erasmus
Marnus Schoeman
Nic Groom
Rohan Janse Van Rensburg
Sylvian Mahuza


Still no Warren Whitely is good news for the Tahs.

 

[Braveheart81]

Referee: Mike Fraser
AR1: Damon Murphy
AR2: Graham Cooper
TMO: George Ayoub

 

[Derpus]

I'd be dropping Newsome to the bench, starting Foketi at 13 and pushing Rona to the wing.

 

[Braveheart81]

Jeez, I'm not sure. I like the way Foketi has played this season but Rona has been outstanding, particularly since moving to 13.

 

[Derpus]

Yeah, a little is lost with Foketi in at 13 over Rona. But, a lot is gained with Rona over Newsome on the wing. I think anyway.

 

[Up the Guts]

Rona has got it down pat how to play with Taqele outside him. Exploits the holes created by defenders drifting onto Taqele and gives it to Taqele at the right time when he's in a bit of space. Newsome hasn't been so bad that it warrants breaking up the Rona/Taqele combination yet. Also when Folau returns it's just any easy straight swap for Newsome and no one else has to shuffle around.

 

[Braveheart81]

Tahs have beefed up their pack. Staniforth starting, Hanigan back to 6 and Miller forces Clark out of the 23 with a 6:2 bench. Nick Palmer back in the 23 as the reserve lock.

 

[Hawko]

I'd be dropping Newsome to the bench, starting Foketi at 13 and pushing Rona to the wing.

I wouldn't. Newsome is our bomb chaser and, although he's not as good as Folau, he's made some really good grabs.

The backrow may also be that way, plus the 6:2 bench, because Wells and Miller were both under an injury cloud and Gibson might want some insurance. Bye next week should mean some good recovery time before Blitzkreig.

 

[Scrubber2050]

Damian continues to hold down No. 2 spot. Well deserved.

Gotta be favourite for Wallabies spot behind Taf.

Reckon the Bulls will belt Taqele. They know they cannot give him time and space.

This will be an interesting match on the field as well as what's in the minds of some Tah's PI players considering the Folau issue raised again this week. Hopefully there will be no effect in that regard.

Tahs by 30