The Waratahs, fresh off a stunning victory against the Rebels last weekend lie in wait for the arrival on Sunday of the red-hot Crusaders from New Zealand.
The Form
Waratahs – they have slogged their way to second place in the Australian Conference behind the Brumbies and have a 2-3 record. Their season comprises a hard-fought win against the Force, two maulings in the Republic from the Lions (at altitude) and Sharks, and snatching a late victory from the Rebels in Melbourne last Friday.
Their forwards have been more serviceable than the backs, but have been too late to many of their own rucks which meant that they lasted longer, and ball delivery was slower. A constantly re-shuffled backline due to both injuries and form, has lacked cohesion at times, but outside backs Israel Folau and Andrew Kellaway have been strong performers.
Sam Whitelock – Crusaders’ skipper and lineout leader, a world-class lock
Crusaders – they sit on top of the powerful New Zealand Conference after winning all their first five matches against the Brumbies, Highlanders, Reds, Blues and Force. Three of those victories were secured late in game after being well down at half time including against the: Highlanders (6-17), Reds (7-20) and Blues (5-21). This shows the Crusaders, like their All Black parents have either a worrying habit of starting slowly, or a good habit of finishing well. Possibly a bit of both.
New Crusaders’ coach, Scott Robertson, seems to be making his mark on the team already and he has molded his attacking platform around youthful players who performed well in the New Zealand Mitre 10 Cup, such as Whetu Douglas (8), Mitchell Hunt (10) and George Bridge (11). The Crusaders consider their scrum one of their weapons and their talented lineout, led by All Black Sam Whitelock, is one of the best in the competition.
The most notable recent match between these teams was the exciting 2014 Super Rugby final won by the Waratahs at ANZ Stadium, and since then they have won one home game apiece. But playing at home in this fixture has been more important to the Waratahs: they have beaten the Crusaders only six times in 23 matches and five of the victories were in Sydney.
Sekope Kepu will be a key man for the Waratahs on Sunday afternoon
The Teams
The Tahs have named an unchanged forward pack but it is again musical chairs in the backline, with with Bernard Foley (concussion) and Rob Horne (hamstring) scratched from the 10 and 13 jerseys, and replaced by rookie Mack Mason, and Israel Folau moving up from fullback. Cam Clark comes in from the bench to take the 15 jersey and Andrew Kellaway stays on the wing.
For the Crusaders a few movements in the forwards include Whetu Douglas who returns to no.8 after a week’s rest. All Black loose head prop Joe Moody takes back his accustomed spot and Wyatt Crockett goes back to the pine. Also young Scott Barrett, who played an excellent game when rotated to the blindside flank last week, shifts back to lock beside Sam Whitelock. The backline is unchanged, led by Mitchell Hunt at first-five and All Black Ryan Crotty at second-five.
Digby Ioane scoring a try against the Force last weekend
Key match-ups
The props – This will be a master-class for young Waratahs’ loose head prop Tom Robertson. Not the heaviest, he will be up against All Black tight head prop Owen Franks. The battle between the All Black loose head Joe Moody and Wallaby tight head Sekope Kepu will also be a highlight of this match
The back threes – The Crusaders are not as potent without fullback Dagg, nor the Waratahs with Folau moving to the midfield. Ex-Wallaby Digby Ioane will be lethal on the right wing, but against him Kellaway has an old head for a young fellow. On the other side of the field fill-in George Bridge will be against Tah Reece Robinson, who had a fine game last week, and at fullback Havili who has over 30 games for the Crusaders will see Tahs’ 2017 rookie Clark at the other end of the field.
David Horwitz about to score the winning try against the Rebels last week
Key points
Number 10 – Unlike the Waratahs, the Crusaders inside backs have been largely settled since Round 2. Look for The Crusaders to target number 10 Mack Mason at every opportunity on both attack and defence, and for Horowitz and Folau to take the ball as first receiver sometimes to take the heat off Mason and keep the Crusaders guessing.
Scrums – The Crusaders had a big moan to anyone who would listen about the number of reset and penalised scrums last week. This will be a key contested area of the game with a large number of All Blacks and Wallabies on the park in largely unchanged forward packs. Look for fireworks at scrum time.
Finishing ability – Both teams have shown they have the mental strength, fitness and training to finish a game off well in the dying stages. Who will be able to do it on Sunday?
Ryan Crotty – in action last week against the Force
Prediction
Both teams are rested and coming off good wins. The Waratahs using their third playmaker in six matches brings an unpredictability to the game.
At the set pieces the Crusaders are likely to have an edge, but their goal kicking this year has been poor. However this game won’t be won throwing stats at each other – it will be won or lost in the final 20 minutes. It will be won by the team that can find gaps, apply pressure at second and third phase and close out the game. The Waratahs showed they could do it last week, they did it in the final in 2014 and again in 2015.
They will need massive support from a home crowd and a few brilliant plays. Can they do it in 2017?
Waratahs by 4
Michael Hooper in 2014 Super Rugby final
[one_third last=”no”]
Waratahs
1. Tom Robertson
2. Tolu Latu
3. Sekope Kepu
4. Dean Mumm
5. Will Skelton
6. Ned Hanigan
7. Michael Hooper (c)
8. Jed Holloway
9. Jake Gordon
10. Mack Mason
11. Andrew Kellaway
12. David Horwitz
13. Israel Folau
14. Reece Robinson
15. Cam Clark
Reserves:
16. Damien Fitzpatrick
17. Paddy Ryan
18. David Lolohea
19. Dave McDuling
20. Michael Wells
21. Nick Phipps
22. Irae Simone
23. Taqele Naiyaravoro
[/one_third]
[one_third last=”no”]
Crusaders
1. Joe Moody
2. Codie Taylor
3. Owen Franks
4. Scott Barrett
5. Sam Whitelock (c)
6. Jordan Taufua
7. Matt Todd
8. Whetu Douglas
9. Mitchell Drummond
10. Mitchell Hunt
11. George Bridge
12. Ryan Crotty
13. Tim Bateman
14. Digby Ioane
15. David Havili
Reserves:
16. Ben Funnell
17. Wyatt Crockett
18. Mike Ala’alatoa
19. Luke Romano
20. Pete Samu
21. Bryn Hall
22. Marty McKenzie
23. Manasa Mataele
[/one_third]
[one_third last=”yes”]
Match Details
Date: Sunday, April 2 2017
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Kick-off: 16:05 AEST
Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen (RSA)
Assistant referees: Will Houston (Aus), Ed Martin (Aus)
TMO: George Ayoub (Aus)
[/one_third]
Stats courtesy of Opta Sports
