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The Waratahs head south after a disappointing opening round loss to the Force to face the in-form Melbourne Rebels. Join The Roar from 7.30pm (AEDT) for live scores and coverage.
The Tahs might be the defending Super Rugby champions but they certainly didn’t play like it last week. The NSW side was poor against the Force at home and was deservedly beaten 25-13.
It was a very disappointing start to the 2015 campaign and they will be keen to make amends in this one. Michael Cheika will surely have them fired up.
It was the first time the Waratahs had conceded four tries at home since June 2012 and they dropped plenty of ball. They head to Melbourne though with a great record against the Rebels, losing just one of eight previous match-ups. The Waratahs have also never lost their first two matches of a Super Rugby season.
In contrast to what the Tahs showed last weekend, the Rebels pulled off one of the biggest upsets in their history in round one.
By defeating the Crusaders in New Zealand 20-10 they made the rest of the competition sit up and take notice. Taking the Tahs scalp would attract even more headlines.
The Victorians will need to shore up their defence and hope to get plenty of metres out of their forwards. The Waratahs have a huge pack and the Rebels will need to slow the NSW ball down.
Big performances will be needed again from the likes of youngsters Jack Debreczeni, Dom Shipperley and ex-Tah Lopeti Timani. Sean McMahon, Luke Jones and Timani can put their hands up for Wallaby selection with strong displays in front of Cheika.
The Rebels will be without former Tah Tom Kingston and suspended scrum-half Nic Stirzaker, who was impressive against the Crusaders. Former Wallaby Radike Samo has just arrived in Melbourne to join the club but is unlikely to feature.
But luckily captain and talisman Scott Higginbotham will be right to play. He could be the key to the Rebels’ chances.
The Rebels were excellent against the Crusaders but I just can’t see the Waratahs being that bad over 90 minutes. They have too much class and experience over their fellow Australian side. I’m prediciting a Waratah win by 10 or more points.
Join The Roar from 7.30pm (AEDT) for all the action in Melbourne.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.