- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
The Highlanders clash with the Waratahs in Dunedin, in what is sure to be a great match. Join The Roar at for live scores and a bit of chat from 5:25pm (AEDT).
After barely getting out of neutral while beating the woeful Reds last weekend, the Waratahs are making their third away trip in a row (with a bye in between), this time to the ‘Edinburgh of the South’.
Wallatahs wonder-coach Michael Cheika has named an unchanged side, meaning Matt Carraro gets a second start as Adam Ashley-Cooper still has knee trouble, with no firm return date.
The motorised workrate of Peter Betham will complement Carraro on the other wing, which is important news for a side that loves having a bit of a gallop as much as the New South Welshmen do. They’ve made the most metres, most clean breaks per game, and beaten the most defenders despite only playing three games so far.
It’ll be interesting to see if the Tahs can actually play well – barely getting out of neutral against the Reds wasn’t a compliment – against the Highlanders, who knocked off the Chiefs last week away from home.
The Highlanders are confident they can upset the champions at home, despite Aaron Smith coming out for the obligatory pre-game build-up chat saying something along the lines of not being wary of the Tahs, being jealous of the Tahs’ squad, and so on.
In kind, Tatafu Polota-Nau revealed that the Tahs plan to target Smith, the Highlander’s most enigmatic player. Quelle surprise!
The Otago side have had a tougher schedule than the Tahs so far, losing to the Crusaders, and beating the Reds and Chiefs in tight games. Their points record so far is equal to the Tahs, who have also beat the Reds as well as the Rebels, while losing their opening game to the Force.
Both teams have both had a bye too – the Highlanders in Round 1, the Tahs in Round 3.
Prediction
NSW have somehow won two games, but winning while playing badly is the mark of champions. However, with the momentum and morale from their surprise victory over the team many expect win the comp this year means I’m leaning towards a narrow Highlanders win (mind you though, the game last year was expected to be tight and it finished in a romp).
Highlanders by 5.
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.