Waratahs v Highlanders, Rd 1, Fri 14 6.35pm 2025

[Pfitzy]

Think the Tahs need a better quick out option at 12. Walton tries to truck it up but he doesn’t have the size. I’d shift Foketi in and JS to 13 and let him link up with the Wings.

La was our best 12 and should have stayed there

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Good to see the Roosters out to watch JAS.

 

[noscrumnolife]

Think the Tahs need a better quick out option at 12. Walton tries to truck it up but he doesn’t have the size. I’d shift Foketi in and JS to 13 and let him link up with the Wings.

certainly at this level get your best players on the pitch
no way that walton is better than lancaster
AK (Andrew Kellaway) Foketi JAS Lancaster Jorgo
is the way forward imo

 

[cyclopath]

Looking at the stats roll at the end just now on Stan and the Tahs actually won more of them, including defenders beaten, run metres etc which surprised me a bit. Maybe they were a bit better than I first thought. Need to get a better look at the stats.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

They just gave away cheap possession and the Highlanders got 2 gimmies from dumb play that can be cut out.

 

[cyclopath]

Yeah, the 'Landers were more opportunistic with the Tahs errors/fumbles. At least our tries were pretty well-constructed. That error count was a problem though - yes, it was wet, but still...

 

[Wilson]

Looking at the stats roll at the end just now on Stan and the Tahs actually won more of them, including defenders beaten, run metres etc which surprised me a bit. Maybe they were a bit better than I first thought. Need to get a better look at the stats.

I'd expect them to have one most of them, the issue was that they weren't capitalizing on much and were letting the highlanders do it easy when they got a chance

 

[Pfitzy]

They just gave away cheap possession and the Highlanders got 2 gimmies from dumb play that can be cut out.

Cut out 2 dumb kicks and a couple of really dumb penalties, and we win by more

 

[Strewthcobber]

Langi Gleeson. 19 carries for 58m. Getting it done.

(Sean Withy for Highlanders with 29 tackles too!)

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

And he got through 80 right? Rarely seen him do that. Been a 50 min specialist.

He’s an X factor player we need. I want the handling to improve but I understand he plays at 100% on every hit up so it’ll happen.

 

[Strewthcobber]

Tahs were 100% on scrums, lineouts and restarts, and conceded just 8 penalties.

Both teams conceded 11 turnovers and both were at 85% tackle success.

(Highlanders had to make a lot more tackles)

-- Rugbypass stats

 

[griffins]

Some wildly over the top negativity. They found a way despite playing poorly. Tidy up some very basic errors and they win by 2 tries.

Walton is a weak link but he basically did his job tonight, a couple of shocking options aside. Was it fkn muggy/wet at the ground? Used to seeing Gleeson drop it but Suallii didn't drop that many high balls in his entire league career.

 

[Strewthcobber]

And he got through 80 right? Rarely seen him do that. Been a 50 min specialist.

He’s an X factor player we need. I want the handling to improve but I understand he plays at 100% on every hit up so it’ll happen.

Yep. Sinclair, Leota and Gleeson went the 80min

 

[griffins]

Bell was also sensational. Two tries came from him getting in behind the d with footwork and power from very slow ruck ball

 

[Strewthcobber]

Was it fkn muggy/wet at the ground? Used to seeing Gleeson drop it but Suallii didn't drop that many high balls in his entire league career.

Yep. It's 24 degrees and 85% humidity even now after the game. Add in the mud on the ball from the crappy field .

That's rugby in Sydney in February

 

[cyclopath]

I'd expect them to have one most of them, the issue was that they weren't capitalizing on much and were letting the highlanders do it easy when they got a chance

Yep, turnovers lost was a win to Landers (on Stan), Tahs tackle completion slightly better, and they had to make more (on Stan) - so those are at odds with those posted by Strewth above. Tahs won post contact metres and defenders beaten (somehow?).
With a slightly cooler head it seems to be a decent foundation, albeit a bit rusty and loose at times.

 

[AdelaideRugby84]

That finish was unbelievable.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

And that’s the part any non Rugby watcher will notice while there no NRL or AFL yet and might have flicked it on. Tries and a grandstand finish

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Anyone get a crowd figure?

Feel confident to say with the weather during the day the the train mess it would have cost 3k maybe?

 

[cyclopath]

I'd say so, maybe more.