Danny Cipriani’s relegation may dominate headlines but the NSW Waratahs are more interested in who is actually starting for the Melbourne Rebels in Saturday night’s Super Rugby clash.
Rebels coach Rod Macqueen finally ran out of patience with Cipriani’s defensive shortcomings on Thursday, dropping his star import to the bench for the Sydney Football Stadium match.
The former England international paid the price for a particularly poor outing against the Blues last week, with James Hilgendorf regaining the No.10 jumper he started the season in.
Hilgendorf survived just 10 minutes of the Rebels’ forgettable Super Rugby debut when the Waratahs spanked the tournament newcomers 43-0 in round one in Melbourne.
The 20-year-old succumbed to a shoulder injury and Cipriani has had the playmaker role ever since.
“Jimmy’s a good young player. He was good enough to get the starting position in round one and he’s obviously regained that now he’s done the rehab,” NSW coach Chris Hickey said.
“They’re a very different team now. They’ve evolved over the last nine or 10 weeks, which is what you would expect from a new team.
“I’ve seen them develop various aspects of their game significantly.”
Indeed, since that season-opening mismatch, the Waratahs have won four games and the Rebels three.
Completing a new-look midfield with Hilgendorf, former Wallabies Mark Gerrard and Stirling Mortlock will form a powerful centre pairing for the Rebels after being cleared to take on the Tahs.
Gerrard was a late scratching from Melbourne’s 40-23 loss to the Blues with a hamstring strain, while Mortlock hurt his back in Auckland.
“They’re a team with experienced players out there like Mortlock and (No.8 Gareth) Delve,” Hickey said.
“Those players keep the team composed and, even when they’ve been behind, they still do the things needed to get them back in the game.
“That composure comes from those experienced players.”
Melbourne’s backline reshuffle also means Julian Huxley moves to fullback and Cooper Vuna is relegated to the bench, with Peter Betham taking his place on the wing.
With key forwards Phil Waugh and Wycliff Palu already out with hamstring injuries, the Waratahs are banking on playmakers Berrick Barnes and Kurtley Beale getting the green light on Friday.
Barnes hasn’t played since being concussed for a second time in round six, while Beale was rested from training on Thursday as he continues to battle a knee injury sustained in last Saturday’s tight loss to Queensland.
“He has been improving each day and he ran yesterday,” Hickey said.
“It’s more a matter of what’s going to give his knee the best chance to recover and that’s probably not train today.
“But then he play in the captain’s run tomorrow and we’re pretty confident they’ll both be right.
“With Berrick, it’s about making sure that he feels confident with himself about returning to the park.”
Rusty
Roar Guru
he has his hands full with the Tahs..when the internationl season ramps up again Im sure we will be back to normal fare
TembaVJ
Roar Guru
HAHAHAHA thanks for that Rusty, its good to have some humour at the end of the week. "Bakkies sets fire to orphanages" GOLD Spiro has been very quiet about bakkies and the bulls this year.
Rusty
Roar Guru
To be honest - I dont ever think he is as bad as the NSW media and Foxsports goon squad have him painted. The constant media beat up have him as the villain where in 90% of his calls he is still spot on. Admittedly there have been some almighty errors in the 10% this year but there is no time with the pace of the game to be deliberately biased. Although like all refs perception does carry "Baxter drops scrums", "Bakkies sets fire to orphanages" etc etc
TembaVJ
Roar Guru
You wish you could ad a heart like Wilco into a young talent like Cipriani. He lacks serious heart but has all the tools to become one of the greats. Its sad really that his life (ego) gets in the way of his game. Anyone that has played rugby will tell you tackling is 90% balls/heart and 10% skill. Watching him play, his kicking and distribution is at times flawless but he shy's away from the graft in defence. The modern day rugby back cannot afford that, not at super level and without doubt not at international level. He will either be the victor or the victim of his own talent. I really hoped that joining the rebels would fix his attitude issues, sadly it seems its not going to happen.
Darwin Stubbie
Guest
But aren't you trying to form an argument from crossed purposes ... you're saying on one hand the Tah's won't win because Kaplin is biased against them - but now you say he makes random decisions - if that's the case then surely both sides will be effected ... other teams adapt to Kaplin - it just seems the Tah's and Wallabies (and the fans and commentators) prefer to go down the route of he's biased
Terry Kidd
Guest
I understand your sentiment Rusty but to be fair to the players ... how do you play to a referee who makes random decisions based on his own rule book and is always successful at bamboozling players, commentators and spectators?
Rusty
Roar Guru
You would think after all that time they would have learnt to play to him like any other ref. The Tahs will be better off without Waugh barking at Kaplan although its hard to say if Mumm's squeaking will have any effect
PubLunch
Guest
Haha, off the cuff it may have been but regardless I don't think anyone can fault your logic. Just amazing this man is still classified as being of an international standard.
Terry Kidd
Guest
Lol ... thanks Pubby ... obviously I should be more widely read before I make an off the cuff comment
PubLunch
Guest
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/super-rugby/history-says-kaplans-whistle-could-blow-away-waratahs-finals-hopes-20110428-1dyw1.html
Terry Kidd
Guest
Tis interesting that there has not been a single comment about Kaplan reffing this game and the Tahs woeful record playing under his control .... from a very dim memory I think the record is something like played 15 times under Kaplan, won once. Obviously Hickey won't be able to give Baxter any minutes because Kaplan will penalize him off the park. For the same reason its lucky that Waugh is not playing. Based on the Tahs record under Kaplan and Kaplan's bizarre officating this season I will predict a Rebels win, achieved by kicking a penalty in the last minute, due to a penalty awarded to the Rebels against the run of play for a reason which will be clear only to Kaplan and which will be taken from his own rule book, not the official IRB rule book. That should cover it nicely .... have I just ghost written the opening paragraph for the match reports? Lol, I hope not ...