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

[Merrow]

Whoever the photographer is... These are terrible

We had a look at the squad lists of the 4 teams. Most teams have photos that either looked like passport photos or mugshots. Brumbies were obviously given a bit more scope. Waratahs were particularly horrendous

 

[Froggy]

Exactly the side you would expect, and I would suggest the best we can field right now. Possibly a couple of surprises on the bench, with Lambert preferred over Kailea, Grant over Wison and Bowen over Creighton, but I wouldn't say they were undeserved.
The Tahs really need to get this done if they are to be any sort of finals hope, this isn't one of the stronger sides they will face and they will probably never have this many first choice starters available again. I am certainly hopeful, but likewise apprehensive.

 

[Derpus]

I think the Tahs will get this one. We keep hearing how young and inexperienced the Highlanders squad is this year, and the Tahs have quite a strong lineup. I also have confidence inthe ability of Dan McKellar to bring it all together with an emphasis on a strong set piece. I will be interested in watching how Langi Gleeson goes after being excluded from the Wallabies squad last month. He has been in excellent form in the trials and I think he has a bit to prove.

Tahs by 7 - 10.

Prove that he signed for a French side?

 

[JackJill]

Don't really know how you can have a Wallaby reserve prop not in the 23, does anyone know why Kailea isn't available?

 

[fatprop]

Don't really know how you can have a Wallaby reserve prop not in the 23, does anyone know why Kailea isn't available?

Dunno, but Lambert is not crap

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

I’m an optimist. QLD and Brumbies better overall sides but my read is there is a ground swell of rugby followers desperate to re-engage. As for injuries, surely we cannot see a repeat of 2024 again.
A Waratahs win on Friday and I can easily see 25k+ against the Drua. If the weather holds they should get 20k Friday.

I think they'd be expecting 12-15k this week and with a win 15-18k the next week. With a loss, probably 10k. Drua aren't a crowd pull and the crowds always build at maybe 2k a week until the Brums or Reds.

Whoever the photographer is... These are terrible

Think they used the same guy that cooked all the Reds in the team list for the Ulster game. Won't be any ladies day for RA.

 

[BDA]

Is $1.85 a heavy favourite?

Not sure where's you're getting those odds but I'd get on them at $1.85

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

I can't imagine it takes too many larger bets to swing the odds on Super Rugby games.

That is value on the Highlanders now. Their playing last years spooners!

 

[Crashy]

I'm liking them odds.

 

[Homer]

Dunno, but Lambert is not crap

Coach said everyone was fit and it was a tough choice. However, Kailea has only been with the squad for three weeks, so maybe bedding him down a bit more.
Having said that, Lambert is solid but cant make the hits or runs that Kailea can.

 

[Heavyd]

I think they'd be expecting 12-15k this week and with a win 15-18k the next week. With a loss, probably 10k. Drua aren't a crowd pull and the crowds always build at maybe 2k a week until the Brums or Reds.


Think they used the same guy that cooked all the Reds in the team list for the Ulster game. Won't be any ladies day for RA.

12-15k would be a huge disappointment. 3 Friday night games in a row, the suits from the CBD should be smashing beers at Ryan’s Bar before tramming it out to the stadium. Valentines Day doesnt help but I’m thinking more 15-18k than 12-15k.

 

[Dctarget]

Coach said everyone was fit and it was a tough choice. However, Kailea has only been with the squad for three weeks, so maybe bedding him down a bit more.
Having said that, Lambert is solid but cant make the hits or runs that Kailea can.

Really? Why'd he join so late?

 

[Derpus]

@Dctarget Are you a defacto Tah fan now?

 

[Dctarget]

@Dctarget Are you a defacto Tah fan now?

I'm defacto depressed

 

[Dctarget]

I'm defacto depressed

I dunno yet. Was a Reds fan pre-Rebels existence as a teenager. Not feeling any spark yet for anyone beyond ex-Rebels players. Will have to see where my heart lies when the Reds play the 'Tahs.

 

[A mutterer]

I dunno yet. Was a Reds fan pre-Rebels existence as a teenager. Not feeling any spark yet for anyone beyond ex-Rebels players. Will have to see where my heart lies when the Reds play the 'Tahs.

Good game to watch as a neutral then.

Also, anyone pretending to be a tahs fan is a liar. All we can be, at best, is a tahs supporter after all of those years of suffering.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Good game to watch as a neutral then.

Also, anyone pretending to be a tahs fan is a liar. All we can be, at best, is a tahs supporter after all of those years of suffering.

I like to go with jaded.

You know how the Wallabies and the franchises have done brackets on the best jerseys. Can the Tahs do one for the greatest adjective.

Anyways, it's bloody game day. We made it. Don't send your significant other re Valentines Day. Think I'll get mine a 5000 piece puzzle so I can be left alone to watch the game in anger. Little does she know it's a shot of a Lote pushing Norton-Knight (a personal favourite memory).

 

[Overtime]

I like to go with jaded.

You know how the Wallabies and the franchises have done brackets on the best jerseys. Can the Tahs do one for the greatest adjective.

Anyways, it's bloody game day. We made it. Don't send your significant other re Valentines Day. Think I'll get mine a 5000 piece puzzle so I can be left alone to watch the game in anger. Little does she know it's a shot of a Lote pushing Norton-Knight (a personal favourite memory).

Don't think you can ever go past the Dunning field goal. That is the stuff of legends.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

At least that if you take away the implication was actually an amazing showing of skill. Lote to Norton-Knight was just chefs kiss level tragic.

 

[Rob42]

Going to be wet at Allianz this evening, which makes me even more nervous about the state of the turf.