Waratahs V Brumbies. Sydney Olympic Stadium.

[Biffo]

The Brumbies will win this one.
After last weeks game they will want to make amends.
They have the forward pack and some handy backs.
NSW may also be down a couple of key players.

The Brumbies by 7

since when does cliffy count as "a couple"

For a long time

 

[PaarlBok]

Re: Tahs V Brumbies

Myself like the Reds since Horan, Eales and Little days but hey where were the Reds supporters when some wrote them off after round 1?

what the fuck are you talking about? We were here? What are you suggesting?

Give him a break, geez...

Sorry thought I was on one of the Reds threads. :frans :lmao:

 

[spectator]

Tah's should, and need to, win this comfortably. Feels funny saying that when you see the lineups but...

 

[Grandmaster Flash]

On form, Tahs should win by 10-15. They won't, however, as this will be like many Oz derbies, out of form teams suddenly find vigour and enthusiasm, players decide to try and bash the shit out of each other, and few points are scored and it gets seriously thrashed with the ugly stick.
Tahs by 3.

I feel myself agreeing with Cyclo. Do have great memories of that '04 Tahs/Brumbies game though, who knows maybe that could happen again?

 

[chief]

Crowd guesses? NSWRU said they were hoping for a record, but I doubt it and doubt most things they say.

 

[Langthorne]

For some reason, form seems to count less in local derbies, so the Brumbies' performance last week doesn't really comfort me.

Looking at the competition table, the two teams have won exactly the same number of games, with the Tahs ahead courtesy of bonus points, so there isn't really that big a difference between the two teams.

On the plus side for the Tahs is that George Smith is injured. He has been the bane of the Waratahs (and a legend for the Brumbies) for ages. Another plus for the Tahs is that they have been gradually improving since the early stages, with team selection and tactics gradually becoming more sensible. The Brumbies have yet to really hit their straps (any time after this match will be fine with me).

Downsides for the Tahs are injuries to Palu and (potentially) TPN and Benn Robinson. The Palu disaster has already been discussed widely, but I think that the loss of TPN would be even more of a problem as he has been immense this season, and because a weakened line up will give some extra hope to the Brumbies. Realistically, the Brumbies need this win to have any chance of the semis. The Brumbies have yet to hit their straps and yet have won as many games as the Tahs...if the Brumbies do sort their shit out I may have to smash the TV (again).

There are a couple of close match ups which I am looking forward to, the main one being the scrum, especially the front row.

My overarching feeling is that the Tahs have done enough so far and have a great chance of making the finals in a strong position....total meltdown must be due soon. I don't care what all the other Aussie supporters think - over the years the Tahs are the number 1 team when it comes to NOT realising their potential, losing from a position of strength, NOT capitalising on their (relative) financial strength, NOT making the most of the largest player pool, and (of course) disappointing their supporters. Please, please, please prove me wrong boys!!!!!

 

[Wazimba2K]

Please please I hope To'omua or Lealiifano could play fly-half even if they are injured. The thought of Gits at ten is scaary!

 

[DPK]

Please please I hope To'omua or Lealiifano could play fly-half even if they are injured. The thought of Gits at ten is scaary!

I agree Waz, but it looks like it's not going to happen. Huxley to ten?

 

[Ash]

NSW may also be down a couple of key players.

since when does cliffy count as "a couple"

Palu, Robinson, TPN. What is the quorum for a couple again?

 

[Groucho]

Sadly the Brumbies have no chance in this game. It's not about form, but demonstrated capability. The Brumbies have been playing very poor to average rugby, with a fruitless game plan, and without the capability to change it either during a game, or from game to game. The Tahds on the other hand, having started with some luck and a lot of boring play, have been steadily improving, playing attractive footy suited to the new refereeing interpretations, and their past few games have been very good indeed. Despite their closeness on the table, there is really no comparison. Only Elsom and Alexander would press for a spot in the Tahds right now... plus Moore if Nau is injured.

As a Brumbies supporter this all hurts me to say. :'(

 

[Newb]

not much hope for a good game, but if the front rows were actually healthy, it was still a battle i was looking forward to.

 

[Moses]

The HSBC Waratahs will wait until the last minute to finalise their match day 22 for their round eleven clash with the Brumbies at ANZ Stadium.

Head coach Chris Hickey today named a 25-man extended squad which will continue to prepare together as a unit for the remainder of the training week.

Hickey said he was still hopeful that prop Benn Robinson and hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau would be able to line-up on Saturday evening, however the team will prepare for the match by covering for all contingencies.

“It’s never ideal to be in the situation where you’re waiting to finalise the team, but we knew right after the Crusaders game that it would be touch-and-go for both of those guys and we’ve prepared accordingly for almost two weeks,” said Hickey.

“Over the last couple of years Benn has become one of the best front rowers in the game, and Tatafu has been probably one of the in-form players of the Super 14 in 2010. If you need to, you do everything in your power to get players of that calibre on the field.

Hickey said that while both Robinson and Polota-Nau had limited their on-field training during the week to give them the best chance of playing, their potential replacements will step up if called upon.

“Sekope Kepu has played Test Rugby so we know what he’s capable of and Dan Palmer is without doubt one of the best up and coming props in the game,” said Hickey.

“Damien Fitzpatrick is also putting his hand up for opportunities, and now Adam Freier’s back in the mix as well after playing 60 minutes for Randwick last week.”

Hickey has also brought in 2010 rookie Rory Sidey as cover for a number of players in the backline.

"Berrick [Barnes] and Lachie [Turner] took it a bit easier yesterday with a stomach bug so they spent time away from the rest of the group, but we’re confident they’ll get over that and be back into it tomorrow,” said Hickey. “Rob Horne also has a niggle in the buttock region, so we’re monitoring his training load over the next few days.

“Given that, Rory will keep training with us for the next couple of days and if he’s not required then he’ll be available to play club Rugby for West Harbour on Saturday.”


2010 Super 14 – Round 11
HSBC WARATAHS V BRUMBIES
Saturday 24 April 2010 (Kick-off 7:40pm AEST)
ANZ Stadium, Sydney Olympic Park

Chris Alcock (Gordon), Sosene Anesi (Eastern Suburbs), Al Baxter (Northern Suburbs), Berrick Barnes (Sydney University), Kurtley Beale (Northern Suburbs), Luke Burgess (Sydney University), Will Caldwell (Sydney University), Tom Carter (Sydney University), Dave Dennis (Sydney University), Kane Douglas (Southern Districts), Damien Fitzpatrick (Eastwood), Adam Freier (Randwick), Daniel Halangahu (Sydney University), Josh Holmes (Warringah), Rob Horne (Southern Districts), Sekope Kepu (Randwick), Drew Mitchell (Balmain), Ben Mowen (Randwick), Dean Mumm (Sydney University), Dan Palmer (Southern Districts), Tatafu Polota-Nau (Parramatta), Benn Robinson (Eastwood), Rory Sidey (West Harbour), Lachie Turner (Eastwood), Phil Waugh [c] (Sydney University).

 

[fatprop]

Looks like being a big crowd, I had a look at ticketek and the A tickets are down to singles, and it is now a "major event" (I think a 50,000 crowd) so the free buses are on

 

[chief]

Hopefully there is a pre mutual agreement on playing entertaining rugby, so they don't let the 50k people down.

We all know Gits has the skill, so I get the feeling we are going to see a belter from him. With all of ACT's injury worries it should provide a tight clash.

 

[Moses]

Funny how everyone (including me) bags the games at stade de aus, yet massive crowds show up to watch them.

50k is unheard of though, surely it's closer to 35?

 

[fatprop]

Funny how everyone (including me) bags the games at stade de aus, yet massive crowds show up to watch them.

50k is unheard of though, surely it's closer to 35?

I maybe totally wrong, but my understanding is that they have to be confident of a certain crowd before the game is deemed a major event by Sydney Transport. When that happens the free buses are put in place.

It is usually in place for tests

 

[RugbyReg]

I would be staggered if it got to 50k. It would be bloody awesome. It'd be the new Aussie record for Super 12/14 games.

Incredible.

 

[chief]

I am clueless here, but Homebush is in Western Sydney right? So that would mean more of the Western Sydney fans might feel like coming because it is closer than SFS is? But 50k sounds a bit ridiculous, 40k plus sounds more like it. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to see 50k plus though.

From 2011 won't the Waratahs be playing two games at Homebush, as well as all finals?

 

[#1 Tah]

I am clueless here, but Homebush is in Western Sydney right? So that would mean more of the Western Sydney fans might feel like coming because it is closer than SFS is? But 50k sounds a bit ridiculous, 40k plus sounds more like it. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to see 50k plus though.

From 2011 won't the Waratahs be playing two games at Homebush, as well as all finals?

exactly right

 

[Brumby Jack]

From 2011 won't the Waratahs be playing two games at Homebush, as well as all finals?

Maybe a semi but not ALL finals :fishing