NSW Waratahs winger Lachie Turner is expecting a strong display from Brumbies superstar Matt Giteau in Saturday’s must-win Super 14 Australian rugby derby.
Neither side can afford to lose the crunch clash at ANZ Stadium, especially the sixth-placed Brumbies, who will start the game one spot and three points behind their local rivals.
Defeat to the Hurricanes in Canberra last week has left the Brumbies with very little wriggle room and Turner expects Andy Friend’s side to fire up following a disappointing performance.
“We are expecting a lot from them, they are going to be pretty tough and pretty brutal,” Turner said on Monday.
“They are going to try and attack us out wide at the wide breakdowns and, obviously, (fullback) Julian Huxley at the back has been giving them an awful lot, so we are expecting them to come out firing.
“Matt Giteau, I’m expecting him to come out and have a big one.”
Although Giteau scored a try against the Hurricanes, the Brumbies’ prize backline recruit has sparkled only sporadically for his new team.
While the Brumbies have struggled for fluency in their backline, Turner said the Waratahs’ back division still had a long way to go and needed to be more consistent.
Wallabies winger Turner made it clear there was bad blood between the local rivals and a win over the Brumbies would give the Waratahs special pleasure.
“There’s no team I enjoy beating more and probably, if you had quick poll amongst the blokes, they would feel exactly the same,” Turner said.
“It’s just the rivalry, how close we are. There’s always a feeling of bad blood between the two sides.”
Turner, who earlier this year became the youngest Waratah to tally 50 caps, revealed he came “pretty close” to signing with the Brumbies a couple of years ago.
“I have a lot of friends down there, but at the end of the day, I made the decision to stay with the Waratahs,” Turner said.
“I grew up always wanting to be a Waratah, so I’m pretty happy with that choice and looking forward to hopefully proving it was a smart decision, on Saturday night.”
Waratahs coach Chris Hickey said if injured front rowers, prop Benn Robinson (forearm) and hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau (shoulder), continued to improve they had a distinct chance of playing on Saturday.
He said he would name a squad of 24 or 25 on Wednesday and would give the two front rowers till Friday to prove their fitness.
He anticipated two possible changes to the Brumbies back line, expecting Stirling Mortlock to return at outside centre and Josh Valentine at halfback.
Hickey felt the intensity of the Waratahs pre-bye clash against the Crusaders would stand them in good stead this weekend and said playing a home game away from their traditional Sydney Football Stadium headquarters wasn’t a big deal.
ballboy
Guest
all things aside - you're right KGW. It will be a cracker of a game. Let's focus on that and tear them apart after the final whistle has rung. Anyone heard an update on the Tahs injuries? TPN and BR are looking shaky at best. What will that do to the Tahs pack if both those players are out?
KGW
Guest
Its gonna be a cracker the rivalry between the two sides has me excited I just hope it isn't a fizzer
what is going on
Guest
Thanks ballboy im aware of that and im using poetic licence to make my point....... alot of the post match comments by players have shown that they are like "what is going on - we should be destroying teams" almost like they think that teams should roll over for them.....which examplifies a poor attitude.... and all i hear each week is "our execution is letting us down" well thats because there not passing "in front of players" no one can run onto the ball and the lines they are running are pathetic....... poor skills.....its either the coach or attitude im afraid........but unfortunately attitude is driven by the coach.....
ballboy
Guest
wigo - Injuries are never an excuse. The Brumbies started the year off with good depth and have filled in where necessary. I'm a little unsure as to how much attention you pay to post match / mid-week interviews with Friend / Hoiles etc. I have not heard them once this year offer any excuse other than the two being openly critical where warranted. Quite refreshing I've thought. And you're comment "Hell be there again next year and there will be no Smithy, Elsom and Mortlock' is baseless and meaningless So what if those three go.. He hasn't had Smith and Mortlock for most of this season. Life goes on and they haven't dwelt on it. Finally, The Brumbies never proclaimed themselves as he Real Madrid. That was the NSW media trying to detract attention away from the pressure on the Tahs. A little homework before tapping your response would save you future embarrassment.
what is going on
Guest
The only thing that will save friend is the excuse of injuries...... he'll waffle about beating the Stormers in Capetown and letting in 50+ against the Bulls as being reasonable (cause apparently you can only be match fit by week 4 in brumby land. Week 1 is OVERRATED)...... Hell be there again next year and there will be no Smithy, Elsom and Mortlock Maybe 9th place next year if there are no injuries.......
what is going on
Guest
Ballboy when you self proclaim your self as the Real Mardid of the aussie sides and your attack is more inept then the U11C Cheetahs team - we have a problem... the brumbies backline has been getting worse and worse with each year with Laurie and Friend has just taken it to the next level...... Time to get a real coach who disciplines his players....... I hope they beat the Tahs and they might....but at the end of the day its week 10......and the brumbies have managed 4 tries only against a pathetic cheetahs side......that is beyond POOR!!!!!!!!!!
Dave
Guest
Didn't say he should be sacked. Its not a good sign however that all he has not changed anything in the face of a continually underperforming backline. As for premature - well the season is almost over, and the Brumbies are going to have to win every match and get bonus points. I have been saying since round 2/3 that they need to start winning with bonus points right now or exactly this situation will come up. My reactions are consistent - we need to do things better and have guys playing in their correct positions. Gits finally accepted that idea and allowed himself to go to No.12. I understand why Friend would put him back to No.10 due to Toomua being injured - but the Brumbies served up one of the worst performances in their history. Hence my comments on Friend. I dont like to prattle on. I want to see the Brumbies playing entertaining and smart footy. Its not going to happen if we make the same mistakes we have all season.
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
Not worth reading comments by a mediocre winger on an even more mediocre (but horribly over-rated and overpaid) first five. Then I come across this: "I have a feeling that Beale is going to have a cracker ... he will live up to the hype of 2007" I watched Canterbury newcomers playing on the weekend who clearly had been developed as rugby players for several years before being allowed to play on the main ground. Beale cannot and will not tackle, makes seriously poor decisions as a 10, 12 and 15, throws awful passes, offers nothingas a kicker, wants to be a hero solo runner and wanders around looking like someone who has been paid lots of money since about 2007 to do very, very little. I cannot share the tingle running up your inner thigh until sometime in the future when he may learn someting about what rugby players are expected to do. He has benefitted from the worst 10 years or so in rugby in regard to depth of ability at first five.
ballboy
Guest
Dave, Dave , Dave - you prattle out the same stuff on every post mate as do you 'what is going on'. Calling for Friend's sacking is like the 16 year old at prom night in the back seat with the hot date. Premature and ill informed. I wait to read your retractions next week.
Dave
Guest
Friend doesn't look to be up to it. I mean, its bewildering why he has come out in the press and said the performance last weekend was not good enough - then drops Alfi Mafi???? Did I miss something here? Mafi lived of scraps last week and actually looked like he has some spark. Valentine coming back fair enough - but its the 10-12 channel thats the problem. Gits is not a No.10. That much is certain. Whats equally certain is that T.Smith is not a No.12. Sure he might bust the odd tackle, but he has no pace, no pass, and against quality sides - his defence was shown up too (see Ranger for the Blues). He is the Brumbies very own Tom Carter. Tries hard but is not a S14 player. I know he has some fans - but the only position I would consider him for is No.13. Regardless - the hype was always unfounded. Our forward pack is top quality. Our backs however are nowhere near the best in the S14 - be that on paper or on form. Only AAC would make the run on Tahs side, with Giteau probably playing 12 with Barnes at 10.
Brumby fan
Guest
I was always worried that the brumbies would believe there own hype this year and unfortunately for me i was right...... the attitude hasnt been there and its obvious there coach isnt willing to have the tough talk with his senior players.... They lose with the tahs running away with it in the final 20 mins..... The reds will have their best chance in years to beat them at home Theyll beat the highlanders just (even though they have lost to them at home 4 or seasons ago when it counted) And theyll get slaughtered by the Crusaders....... 6th or 7th this year.........and no hope for next year unless they sack Friend.........all very sad
Struggler
Guest
The brumbies need to get rid of Andy Friend.....the bloke is an absoloute struggler that cant get his players firing..... coaching must be beyond poor cause the skill level has dropped off and obvioulsy they cant score tries....
Spencer
Guest
The score will be 9-6. Not sure who will win, but I am sure the 23,500 spectators who litre the 80,000 seat stadium will be frustrated before fulltime.
mudskipper
Guest
Good to see Tahs fans can still beat their chests... It will be a cracker... Brumbies by a bonus point win...
stu
Guest
I have a feeling that Beale is going to have a cracker. The guy is finally looking like he will live up to the hype of 2007. Horne and Mitchell are also both looking better than ever - I just hope the Tahs completely shred the Brumbies. The Brumbies used to be a smart team, but with Giteau at 10 those days are over - frankly I'm cool if he never again pulls on a Wallaby jumper.
Brett McKay
Guest
KotGs, the gathering is still planned, although numbers aren't quite as expected. Details will be sent out in the next few days, and you can still use the Register link above to find out more info..
what is going on
Guest
Andy Friend has got to go if the brumbies have another poor performance..... you cant blame poor execution week after week.....pathetic.
King of the Gorganites
Guest
Are roarers still meeting up at the game this weekend? i notice that loges is doing a Q and A with Robbie Deans at a subbies function prior to the game.
Devon
Guest
In terms of test positions: I cant see why they would consider Stephen Moore if Polota-Nau starts throwing ok......and have Edmonds on the bench...... the only other players from these teams that should make the starting wallabies is: Benn Robinson Alexander Dean Mumm (through injury otherwise should be on the bench) Elsom (dropped as captain though) Barnes (if his form picks up) Ashley Cooper Mitchell
Simon
Guest
If a wallbies side is picked on form Giteau would be lucky to make the bench as cover for 9,10,12.... If deans wants a speacilist 9 on the bench he should go with Valentine.......