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The Waratahs are fresh off a bye and take on the Chiefs at Allianz Stadium tonight. Join us for live scores from 7.40pm AEST.
Imagine it. The Chiefs getting donked on the head by the Reds last week.
It happened, despite the Chiefs dominating the statistics in metres gained, defenders beaten, possession and territory.
The Chiefs had plenty of ball yet couldn’t score the points, going down two tries to four against a Reds team intent on ruining the final zenith in New Zealand.
Waikato was the last ‘go-to’ place for New Zealanders in a rough 2013 Super Rugby campaign – that safe place where everything’s ok because the Chiefs are still the best provincial side in the world.
No longer. They came unstuck by a Reds team who took to the field and proceeded to bolt from one side of the field to the other, like hares escaping the farmer’s bullet.
Effervescent, chaotic, reactionary.
All the things Kiwi teams hate to come across.
Tonight the Waratahs will want to take a leaf out of this particular book.
They come off a bye and will have fresh legs for a canter. Backs Adam Ashley Cooper, Drew Mitchell and fly half Foley are all coming into solid form, although it’s bolter Israel Folau proving the most dangerous.
The man is third in the comp for running metres and growing in stature every week.
Not to compare, however Sonny Bill Williams took a couple of years and a run in NZ before he did anything good. Folau is streets ahead in these early days.
Of course the Tahs will be aware that running with the ball won’t necessarily win them the game.
Horwill’s leadership in his win last week over the chiefs was clear as Fijian water, and if the Tahs are going to put the mocker on their more fancied opponents it’ll have to come from similar grunt.
This is where captain Dave Dennis will need to stand up.
The only way to defeat the Chiefs is to rattle their carriages. Big hits, score tries, clear out.
Cruden last week put in a solid but insufficient performance at ten during which he looked a bit … fragile?
There’s definitely some room to attack in Cruden’s channel if you can find your way past the flanks of Messam, Cane, and the murderous Fritz Lee; the latter running rabid last week and in good form.
We’re in for an exciting match; the Chiefs will score at least four tries and the Tahs know they’ll need to do the same if they’re going to win.
Look for a spirited upset from the Tahs.
Join us at 7.40pm AEST tonight on The Roar, the place to be for live scores and where you can have your say on the go.
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.