Fom the Tahs Media Unit
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HSBC Waratahs to host Crusaders in pre-season trial
A trial match between the HSBC Waratahs and the Crusaders at Allianz Stadium will give NSW fans the first glimpse of a new-look HSBC Waratahs outfit, under head coach Michael Cheika.
With both sides set to field teams star-studded with Wallabies and All Blacks, the match at Sydney’s Allianz Stadium will be a big bonus for HSBC Waratahs members, who are entitled to free admission to the Valentine’s Day floodlit clash.
Boasting seven titles, the Crusaders are the most successful team in Super Rugby history and boast some of the biggest names in world rugby including Richie McCaw, Dan Carter, Robbie Fruean, Israel Dagg and Kieran Reid.
To accommodate the incoming The British & Irish Lions Tour, the Australian teams are the only ones in action in the first round of the new Super Rugby season. But with the HSBC Waratahs given a bye in round one, the trial game will give both sides a cracking opener to the Super Rugby action, which kicks the following night with the other four Australian teams in action.
The last encounter between the HSBC Waratahs and Crusaders was an April afternoon thriller, boasting seven tries and witnessed by over 30,000 fans and families at Allianz Stadium. Despite turning in their most impressive display of last season, the home side fell four points of a physical and ruthless Crusaders side, whose 37 point-haul included a double from unstoppable man of the match centre Robbie Fruean.
Crusaders
’ coach Todd Blackadder says matches between the teams are always closely fought encounters.
"We love a match-up with the Waratahs so we are excited to have confirmed this pre-season game,” said Blackadder.
“These teams seem to bring out the best in each other when they meet so it promises to be not only a great preparation for the players, but a highly entertaining game for fans.”
After kicking off the new season with two away trial matches against the Rebels in Hobart (Saturday February 2) and New Zealand opposition the following weekend, the first chance for NSW fans to see their team in action at home comes when they take on the Crusaders on Thursday, February 14 (7.30pm).
For new HSBC Waratahs head coach Michael Cheika the trial matches are the first chance to translate the hard work in training onto the field.
“Our trial matches, particularly the home match against the Crusaders, give us the ideal chance to put into practice the new style that we will be looking to bring to our game.
As well as the chance to see some of the Super Rugby opposition live for the first time, the trials are a chance to learn more about the players within his squad. “How they handle pressure, the opposition, how they react to certain situations - these are all game-related things that you can’t simulate in training,” he said.
As well as the Crusaders match, eight home matches and June’s highly anticipated Tour match against the British & Irish Lions mean HSBC Waratahs fans can watch their team in action in 10 home matches against some of the best opposition in world rugby, including reigning Super Rugby champions the Chiefs and 2012 South African conference winners the Stormers.
The HSBC Waratahs’ Super Rugby season gets under way the following week against arch rivals the Queensland Reds in enemy territory (Saturday February 23), before they host the Rebels at Allianz Stadium a week later.
Following the successful return of afternoon footy in 2012, Allianz Stadium welcomes twoSunday afternoon kick offs next year, with back to backfamily-friendly arvo clashes against the Blues and Force in March
.
Round five sees the HSBC Waratahs host South African outfit the Cheetahs, whilst the Stormers will be the home team’s target in round 13.
Completing the schedule are ANZ Stadium blockbuster local derbies against the Brumbies in round 14 and the Reds to wrap up the season in round 21. The new year will also see the HSBC Waratahs play a new side, with South African newcomers the Kings hosting NSW on Saturday May 4 at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth.
Kicking off on February 15 and culminating 125 matches later with the Super Rugby Final on August 3, Waratahs Rugby CEO Jason Allen believes the season will be a massively exciting one for rugby fans across NSW.
“In 2013,NSW rugby fans will get the best of both worlds – a Super Rugby competition that continues to deliver exciting rugby played by some of the best teams in the southern hemisphere, and a tour by the British & Irish Lions, the very best of the northern hemisphere, that has been 12 years in the making.”
The Super Rugby Finals Series will take place from Friday, 19 July, with the Super Rugby Qualifiers scheduled for that weekend – while the Super Rugby Semi-Finals will take place on 26-27 July, with the Super Rugby Final to be played on Saturday, 3 August.
With HSBC Waratahs members admitted free to all home trial matches, the benefits of becoming a member are more attractive than ever. Supporters choosing one of the eight game packages will get nine matches for the price of eight, whilst fans opting for the new 6 Game Membership covering just the Allianz Stadium home matches, will get seven chances to see their team in action at no extra cost.
Other packages include a 2 Game Membership, perfect for families and groups looking to make the most of afternoon footy or the two blockbuster games at ANZ Stadium and enjoy free entry to the Crusaders match, and the un-ticketed Supporter Membership, suitable for those that can’t attend games or already have tickets through an Allianz or ANZ Stadium membership.
Ticketed membership packages start at $38 for a 2 Game adult general admission package. New for 2013, 6 Game general admission adult packages are available for just $102 and 8 Game packages start at just $130 for adults. Premium 9 Game memberships, which include the same seat to the British & Irish Lions Tour match and the Crusaders trial, are available from $150.
Designed for fans unable to attend to attend matches and stadium members who already have tickets, the un-ticketed Supporter Membership costs $40 and also includes a new pre-match coach SMS for all home.
A full range of membership packages, including pricing and benefits, is available online now at
www.waratahs.com.au/membership or by contacting the membership team on 1300 733 899 (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm) or
waratahs@rugby.com.au.
HSBC Waratahs 2013
Kick Off
Trial matches
Saturday 2 February
Rebels
North Hobart Oval, Hobart
TBC
Saturday 9 February
TBC
TBC
TBC
Thursday 14 February
Crusaders
Allianz Stadium