Round 12 sees a clash between the 12th-placed Melbourne Rebels and the second placed Chiefs at AAMI Park. We’ll have live scores and commentary from 7.40pm AEST.
The Rebels have had another tough start to their season having won just two games so far.
The Victorians are coming off a gut-wrenching loss to the Crusaders last weekend in a game that showed vast improvements in their attack and also showcased the leadership of new captain Scott Higginbotham.
James O’Connor also showed his class both with the boot and with the ball in hand.
The news of Kurtley Beale returning should bolster the squad but it is unclear whether or not the troubled playmaker will feature in the sides match this weekend against a Chiefs team that will be looking to get maximum points from the encounter.
The Chiefs have come out victorious in six of their nine fixtures this season and are coming off a close win over the Sharks last weekend.
While the Waikato outfit have been in good form this season, they have suffered losses against Australian sides the Reds and Waratahs, a list they will not want the Rebels to be joining.
Injury blows in the shape of Richard Kahui and Tewera Kerr-Barlow will no doubt affect the side but it is hard to look past the defending champions in this fixture.
I see the Chiefs winning by more than seven against a valiant Rebels side that just won’t quite be good enough to beat them.
My list of teams I support has grown tremendously, I am forever torn between two teams when they play, of course I support the SA teams first and foremost, with the Bulls barely getting my support purely based on the attitude of their supporters.
Chivas
Guest
I know, but winners are grinners and I know this won't last forever. I've spent a good chunk of my life seeing Waikato being as inconsistent as any team out there, so I'm enjoying a bit of time in the sun :-). I'm currently supporting the Force and things are not looking quite so bright for them. But I enjoyed the game last weekend. I thought we were going to win one.
A tad harsh on the rebels there mate. Rabble they are not.
Chivas
Guest
Yes, but it hurt pride.. Which has now thankfully been restored, because we are a lot better than that Australian rabble. I still can't believe the chiefs leak so much. I have seen sieves which are more effective.
Good thing it didn't influence their log points then.
atlas
Guest
a response from SANZAR re the TMO decision on Anscombe's 4th try: Super Rugby bosses admit one of the television match official's decisions in the Chiefs-Rebels game last Friday was incorrect. At the conclusion of the match, Chiefs fullback Gareth Anscombe was denied a record-equalling fourth try, when TMO Steve Leszczynski decided that replacement winger Patrick Osborne had knocked the ball on at the previous breakdown, despite replays proving inconclusive. "I think the last decision against the Chiefs, which was ruled as a knock-on, we have agreed is incorrect," says Sanzar referees boss Lyndon Bray. "You cannot prove that there was an obvious knock-on by the player who comes through on the Rebels halfback." http://tvnz.co.nz/rugby-news/tmo-mistake-denies-anscombe-s-record-try-5429915
niallo
Guest
As a neutral from Wales I'm astonished at the TMO - worst officiating I think i've ever seen
Darth Vadar
Guest
TMO Steve Leszczynski needs to be sacked by the ARU! Embarrassing given that he is representing them!
mikeylives
Guest
That post is p!ss funny. I do believe you would make a better commentator.
Tembavj
Guest
Easy on cat I meant to say the chiefs player lost the ball. He had a grasp on the ball and lost it. So sensitive some of these roar types
Justin2
Guest
He ran well, his pass is slow and average, big wind up. Gets caught a lot at ruck time and doesn't get to rucks quickly enough to clear.
Jerry
Guest
No, I was saying that your evidence that "people were saying Barnes was 5th choice" was merely to say "It was said because thats what people felt" without actually providing any examples of people actually saying it. A useful definition of evidence "ground for belief or disbelief; data on which to base proof or to establish truth or falsehood". Now, I may need a translator and to learn some 'maners' but I don't really think rephrasing the original statement qualifies as any sort of evidence.
Billy Bob
Guest
Colvin, I have not been a fan of Phipps in general. Bit it has to be said that he had a blinder last night. He is an amazing rugby player, like McKibbon, and Burgess. BUT, like the others, a questionable halfback. It's as if they get so caught up in the game that they forget to excel at their core duty - to get the ball quickly and accurately to the first receiver. Which he was okay at (mostly) last night. He looked like our 3rd choice 9, at least last night, possibly 2nd. But he lapsed to let Anscombe 'score' - so he's not in my Wallaby squad yet. And White is yet to play this weekend. And he will take a lot of consistent quality to unseat from Genia's bench. Btw, Phil and Brendan need to go to commentator school or get out of the game. Canno sounds like he's explaining everything to a rugby-naive girlfriend. Fox producers really would not have to look very far to find better game talkers than these two. Btw they both seem like top blokes, but when I hire a taxi for a fare I expect the driver to be able to drive at least as well as I can. Fox should have wildcard non-wallaby callers who know how to tell a story instead of long ago wallabies who look like old bulls feeding way too long off the rugby paddock. Even this 'once just a reserve grader' poster could give better commentary than these two. And there are many, just on the Roar, who would be better than I. I would enjoy commentary from guest callers like the third grade hooker from the Barraba Bulls or the coach from the penrith 5ths or Waverley Old Boys- IF they could communicate well about the game. Fox, start auditioning. Sorry Phil, Brendan but if you played as well as you comment, you would not have risen above 3rd grade. Do some individual training or get off the field.
RebelRanger
Guest
I was at the game last night and JOC is an outright douche. Standing next to the waterboy, he throws his water in the opposite direction then taps him on the shoulder to go get it. With a few minutes to go and down by 6 he limps off the field and has intention of trying to win it against the defending champs. After drifting ALL game, Beale comes on and shows him how to mainpulate defences.
Darth Vadar
Guest
TMO reaches under the table
Darth Vadar
Guest
it was shameful to hear the TMO Steve Leszczynski (Australia) say he has evidence that it was a definite knock-on! Actually it showed him for what he really is - A BIG FAT BIASED CHEAT! Hope the Australia RU sack him - it is the right thing to do!
Darth Vadar
Guest
you missed the 2 previous tries from forward passes Max
Darth Vadar
Guest
you're kidding right Hog? or are you blind in one eye?
Darth Vadar
Guest
TMO Steve Leszczynski (Australia) must be blind in one eye to allow 2 Rebels tries from forward passes and disallow a legit Chiefs try! Tsk, tsk, tsk - talk about an attempted Home Town favourable decision - YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF YOURSELF STEVE!
Spiritfree
Guest
Yes, just who was the TMO? After watching replays over and over for the first forward pass try that was so obviously forward, to hear him saying to the referee, "there is no evidence of a forward pass, you may award the try" is effing outrageous. And then after Ansombe's try, when as you say, Colvin, there was no video evidence of a knock on, to hear him saying that there was evidence of a knock on. Sheesh! The Chiefs did lapse at times, but they were playing against a team of 16, so hats off to them for winning.