Expert
The Blues host the Waratahs in a crucial Anzac day match in Round 11 of Super Rugby. Join The Roar for commentary, live scores and to have your say on the blog from 5.30pm AEST.
This week sees a number of Australian sides and New Zealand sides face off. The first of those fixtures is the Waratahs and Blues at Eden Park.
Eden Park hasn’t been a happy hunting ground for the Waratahs. They broke a long-time drought there in recent years and will look to post a similar result in this meeting.
They come into the match with Israel Folau playing his second game back from injury, but there’s a cloud over Kurtley Beale. Beale will play but had to reject surgery. Wycliff Palu has been named on an extended bench, so may return from injury for the match.
This season was billed as the year the Waratahs broke through for success and at the halfway point they are still in the thick of it. However, if they want to win the conference and possibly get a bye round in the finals they must win these tricky away matches.
The Blues haven’t been as successful yet this year, but they have taken some big swings and landed punches. They’ve beaten the Cheetahs, Highlanders and Crusaders.
Anecdotally the Blues seem to fly from highs to lows and lows to highs. They are unpredictable and on their day can beat the best. They will be on home turf and that gives them a strong chance if the 2014 home-field advantage holds for another week.
The news of Benji Marshall leaving the team will have disrupted the Blues preparation. But that would be more than offset by the emotional return of Piri Weepu after spending time out with a heart scare. That should provide a large enough emotional boost and extra effort.
Should be a cracking match. So don’t forget to join us here at 5.30 for live scores and comments.