Live scores, blog: Blues vs Waratahs
Roar Guru By EP - Rugbywits, 24 Jun 2011 Elisha Pearce is a Roar Guru & Live Blogger
- Tagged:
- Auckland Blues, Blues, Rugby Union, Super Rugby, super rugby finals, Waratahs, Waratahs Blues
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The Super Rugby finals series gets underway this afternoon as the NSW Waratahs looks to beat the Blues despite their long injury list, and poor record at Eden Park. Join us for the all the live action from 5:30pm (AEST).
The Waratahs have been in finals mode for the last two rounds having needed to record victories in each match to stay in the finals hunt.
The effort has taken its toll, with an injury list a mile long added to with Luke Burgess, the ninth starting player to be out of action, having broken his hand in training during the week.
The Waratahs’ injury list is a sorry sight: Tatafu Polota-Nau, Luke Burgess, Drew Mitchell, Ben Mowen, Sekope Kepu, Al Baxter, Daniel Halangahu, Pat McCutcheon, Berrick Barnes and Rob Horne.
Dan Vickerman has not played enough games for the Waratahs and is therefore unavailable for the side.
Josh Holmes will step into the breach, promoted to halfback to cover for Burgess. Four other changes have been made by coach Chris Hickey from the side that comfortably downed the Brumbies.
Kurtley Beale has been moved closer to the action at five-eighth. Beale has been the player for the Waratahs, and his increased work with the ball will attract keen interest.
Will one of the world’s best fullbacks now become an average fly-half? Perhaps, but Beale is likely to defend at fullback, giving him opportunity to play to his counter-attacking strengths.
The Blues have the luxury of just one alteration to the teamsheet after the win over the Highlanders, as Alby Mathewson goes back to No.9.
The Waratahs do have more momentum, as the Blues have stumbled into the finals, losing four from their last five, and their scrum and line-out may be susceptible.
The Blues’ playmaker, Stephen Brett, is prone to flaky moments and could be vulnerable under pressure.
Teams:
NSW Waratahs:
1. Benn Robinson, 2. John Ulugia, 3. Paddy Ryan, 4. Kane Douglas, 5. Sitaleki Timani, 6. Dean Mumm, 7. Phil Waugh [c], 8. Dave Dennis, 9. Josh Holmes, 10. Kurtley Beale, 11. Sosene Anesi, 12. Tom Carter, 13. Ryan Cross, 14. Atieli Pakalani, 15. Lachie Turner
Reserves
16. Elvis Taione, 17. Jeremy Tilse, 18. Pat O’Connor, 19. Chris Alcock, 20. Hugh Perrett, 21. Brendan McKibbin, 22. Bernard Foley
Blues:
1. Charlie Faumuina, 2. Keven Mealamu (c), 3. John Afoa, 4. Anthony Boric, 5. Ali Williams, 6. Jerome Kaino, 7. Luke Braid, 8. Peter Saili, 9. Alby Mathewson, 10. Stephen Brett, 11. Lachie Munro, 12. Luke McAlister, 13. Benson Stanley, 14. Joe Rokocoko, 15. Jared Payne
Reserves:
16. Tom McCartney, 17. Tevita Mailau, 18. Chris Lowrey, 19. Daniel Braid, 20. Chris Smylie, 21. Winston Stanley, 22. Sherwin Stowers
Blues v NSW Waratahs at Eden Park, Auckland, kick off at 5.35pm AEST.
Head to Head: Played 16 Blues 10 Waratahs 6
In Auckland: Played 7 Blues 6 Waratahs 1
Last clash: Round 9 2011 – Blues 31 bt Waratahs 17 at Eden Park
Betting: Blues $1.29 Waratahs $3.70
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- Auckland Blues, Blues, Rugby Union, Super Rugby, super rugby finals, Waratahs, Waratahs Blues
June 24th 2011 @ 12:32pm
Bring Back Rucking said | June 24th 2011 @ 12:32pm | Report comment
will Elvis be in Blue shoes
go the little fella from Manly
June 24th 2011 @ 12:42pm
sixo_clock said | June 24th 2011 @ 12:42pm | Report comment
Why put Alcock on the bench? Chris is better at the breakdown than any other ‘Tah loose forward. He will have an impact when he comes on surely, but start him, he has earned it! He is just the type to disrupt the Blues phase building and get some broken field possession which could just be the difference. Not Impressed.
June 24th 2011 @ 1:19pm
Damo said | June 24th 2011 @ 1:19pm | Report comment
Sixa. He is a seven is he not? How could you leave the captain out of the team for the all important first half. I agree he’s earnt his place but would you play him at 6 or 8 ? I don’t think so. My bet is that Waugh will give this game one of the biggest 50 minutes of his career and then hand over the 7 spot.
June 24th 2011 @ 1:46pm
EP - Rugbywits said | June 24th 2011 @ 1:46pm | Report comment
I hope they do give Alcock some time, however they work it in. He is the future and has put in very solid performances this year.
Waugh will lay it all out there for a 50-60min spell and hopefully Alcock can come on and be a spark!
June 24th 2011 @ 4:41pm
sixo_clock said | June 24th 2011 @ 4:41pm | Report comment
Damo,
This game promises to be a fetcher’s paradise. Pull Mumm if it is soggy.
June 24th 2011 @ 2:00pm
BlackWave said | June 24th 2011 @ 2:00pm | Report comment
Should be a cracker tonight.
Would’ve thought at the start of the season that the Tahs woud be hosting a final and that they would finally get a chance to progress deep into the tournament, but injuries and a crappy draw have hampered them.
Anyway my predictions for the aussie conference (prior to it starting) were,
1. Tahs
2. Reds
3. Force
4. Rebels
5. Brums
I was kind of right?!
Anyway the Blues will edge this one tonight.
Can’t see any part of the tahs team that is man for man better than the Blues – But they blow hot and cold; cold being the only chance the Tahs have.
The blues backrow should eat up the likes of Dean Mumm et al
Front rows are fairly even.
I won’t start on the backs cos that would be embarassing. Or maybe I will,
The blues backs are oozing class and scream talent. Their opposition tonight will be Tom Carter and Ryan Cross who………………….well you get the picture.
Anyway, looking forward to tonight and the Blues v. Reds rematch in a weeks time.
Go the Blues.
On a side note, I’d like to get in my predictions for the RWC early. Just so, after it’s all said and done, you’ll think back to me and say “Wow, he was right!”.
All Blacks will win it, logic being that even Karma can’t be that big a bitch.
For all the attacking flair and flashy backs the wannabes will lose to England in the semis – England will play ‘total rugby’.
The Boks will lose in the quarters and PDV will get fired.
Georgia will take a big scalp.
There will be a fight in the USA v. Russia game.
Wales will make it past the pool this time.
And finally, when all this happens, all you roarers will have to own the reality that those you support aren’t good enough.
That is all.
June 24th 2011 @ 2:42pm
Tristan Rayner said | June 24th 2011 @ 2:42pm | Report comment
Hi all – The Roar has introduced some new touches on our live blogs after some feedback from our bloggers and our readers.
The two main points to note are:
1) To keep up with the game, comments now refresh by default. You can control your preferences and turn the feature on or off as you wish.
2) We’re displaying comments in reverse chronological order – so newest comments are now at the top. Oldest comments are displayed at the top on all other Roar pages.
We welcome your feedback on this.
Tristan – Roar Ed.
June 24th 2011 @ 4:53pm
katzilla said | June 24th 2011 @ 4:53pm | Report comment
Nice work. Maybe the game updates in a different colour same as author on other threads?
June 24th 2011 @ 5:03pm
Tristan Rayner said | June 24th 2011 @ 5:03pm | Report comment
EP – Rugbywits will be joining you soon!
June 24th 2011 @ 5:09pm
Zac Zavos said | June 24th 2011 @ 5:09pm | Report comment
We have this Katzilla. thanks.
Guys – just watch when leaving comments that the auto-refresh doesn’t remove your comment text. If you’re likely to leave comments (which we welcome) then perhaps turn it off before leaving your comment.
Do we have any Roarers at the game?
June 24th 2011 @ 5:18pm
EP - Rugbywits said | June 24th 2011 @ 5:18pm | Report comment
Hi all! Welcome to TheRoar live blog.
The first ever preliminary round of playoffs in super rugby history awaits us!
The Waratahs and Blues are both coming off wins last week and know they can score some points when they play well.
June 24th 2011 @ 5:19pm
Spiro Zavos said | June 24th 2011 @ 5:19pm | Report comment
At David Brockhoff’s memorial service were Drew Mitchell, Rob Horne, Berrick Barnes and Tatafu Polata-Nau. I’d be happier predicting a Waratahs win if they were in Auckland rather than in Sydney.
June 24th 2011 @ 5:22pm
Spiro Zavos said | June 24th 2011 @ 5:22pm | Report comment
At the memorial service for Brock, they told how Scots thrashed Joeys last weekend as the players, with a photo of Brock stamped on their wrists, won one for the great man.
Brock used to welcome and farewell all the Waratahs sides. Perhaps they will play this match like the Scots team and win one for Brock. This would be their best hope, I believe.
That and the fact that the Blues are notoriously flimsy side in terms of temperament. Without Toeava and Ranger they do lack firepower.
June 24th 2011 @ 5:22pm
EP - Rugbywits said | June 24th 2011 @ 5:22pm | Report comment
People, including me, were talking earlier about the impact of Alcock coming off the bench for the Waratahs. The Blues have their own impact number 7 also. Daniel Braid is back on the bench. It will be interesting to see Alcock and Braid trying to get their teams over the line when they come on later on.
Some keys to the game anyone?
For mine, if the Waratahs kick it needs to go out. You don’t want the Blues backline in space.
June 24th 2011 @ 5:33pm
EP - Rugbywits said | June 24th 2011 @ 5:33pm | Report comment
Kick off!
June 24th 2011 @ 5:33pm
EP - Rugbywits said | June 24th 2011 @ 5:33pm | Report comment
1min
Kicked out on the full from the kick off by Beale.
Beale is at fullback in defense for the scrum at halfway.