If you are a NSW supporter then you should have taken this week easy, as the importance of the clash between the Waratahs and Brumbies this weekend cannot be underestimated. We’ll have live scores and commentary from 7.40pm AEST.
Win this and you keep the mathematical dream alive, lose and the challenge might become insurmountable.
To qualify for the playoffs, the Waratahs need to collect a win in every game and a bonus point in every match will secure a spot, so it isn’t going to be easy, but as JFK said famously all that many years ago, “We do this not because it is easy, but because it is hard”.
The Brumbies on the other hand is now playing catch up, by winning last weekend’s clash against the Sharks the Reds are now three points ahead of the Brumbies in actual log points earned and one win ahead of the Brumbies who has been top of the Australian Conference for the most part.
The previous results between the Waratahs and Brumbies does not tell us much:
– March 2011 Brumbies 22-29 Waratahs
– June 2011 Waratahs 41-7 Brumbies
– May 2012 Brumbies 23-6 Waratahs
– July 2012 Waratahs 15-19 Brumbies
– March 2013 Brumbies 35-6 Waratahs
From this we can see that previous results have gone to form, in 2011 the Waratahs had a good season and the Brumbies a poor one, in 2012 it was reversed.
Even though the Brumbies managed a convincing win over the Waratahs earlier in the season the reality is the Waratah team now would put 30 points on the Waratah team of March this year and that is why this match will be extremely difficult to predict.
Are the Waratahs really on a comeback or have they just hit a rich patch which in years to come might just be called another false dawn?
Although I still don’t believe the Waratahs will make the play offs, I believe they can win this one, playing at home and having built continuity and momentum in the past few weeks, the Brumbies have been lounging around and losing momentum, so this one is there for the Tahs to lose.
Folau is in great form, Adam Ashley Cooper is in great form, Hooper is on fire and will meet George Smith head on, Cam Crawford has been coming through strongly in the past few weeks and even though Bernard Foley was not at his best this past weekend he is still in my view second best to only Quade Cooper this season in the Australian conference.
We know what to expect from the Brumbies, they won’t play in their half, they will ensure their tactical kicking keeps them in the right area of the pitch.
It is likely we will see a similar pattern in this match as when the Reds played the Brumbies last time round.
Christian Lealiifano will take any points that are on offer, they are very reliant on their forward pack and will be dangerous in the red zone, but for me, Foley, Betham, Cooper and Folau are the danger runners for the Waratahs, if they can manage to build pressure and Hooper can keep George Smith in check.
The game is there for the taking, granted of course the Tahs play it tactically in the right areas of the field.
For the Brumbies to take this match, they will have to strike first and build a lead, something they have managed to do in most games this season.
Photos: LookPro
[roargal]
Jacko
Guest
Mail did you watch the game? Mowen scored try won lineouts,led the team well and tackled like no tomorrow you re kidding ha
Glenn Condell
Guest
Paul Cully and Scott Allen, with spiro for the sidebars.
Dan H
Guest
I am a reds fan which means I was happy to see the brumbies go down but I was confused by the lack of mention on this thread as to how much the tahs got away with. Walsh was terribly one sided and missed 3-4 tahs knock ons at crucial times.
Justin2
Guest
Churchillian..
Kuruki
Roar Guru
There are some form players in the Australian camp and things are looking good in the depth department, sadly for Australia much like South Africa the international selections will fall short of the mark and the Lions series will expose poor selections.
DMac
Guest
That was before tonight's game. Minus byes the Tahs would be on 30.
Noddytim
Guest
Elisha becoming way too parochial.
A Different Cat.
Guest
1) B.Robinson 2) B.Alexander 3) J.Slipper 4) D.Palmer 5) S.Kepu 6) J.Horwill 7) R.Simmons 8) K.Douglas 9) M.Hooper 10) G.Smith/L.Gill 11) W.Palu 12) S.Higginbotham 13) S.Moore 14) D.Dennis 15) S.Faingaa 16) W.Genia 17) N.White 18) Q.Cooper 19) D.Ioane 20) I.Folau 21) AAC 22) B.Tapuai 23) C.Lealiifano 24) B.Barnes 25) JOC Is my prediction of the 25 with 26) H.McMenimen 27) J.Hanson 28) J.Mogg 29) B.Mowen 30) N.Phipps 31) N.Cummins To be added.
Blinky Bill of Bellingen
Guest
For anyone interested in a match report on the NSW Country versus Sydney match here the link: http://www.nswrugby.com.au/NSWRugby/News/NewsArticle/tabid/374/ArticleID/9189/Default.aspx And just check out where these blokes live, how far away from each other they are & think about the logistics of it all. Hats off to these blokes. Respect!
Blinky Bill of Bellingen
Guest
Thanks for the info Matt. And brilliant that Country (the Cockatoos I believe) beat Sydney. ;) It must be a nightmare for these country blokes to get together for training. Surely they don't just meet, for the first time, in the sheds before kick off. :( I shall now search the internet for details. :)
PeterK
Roar Guru
Walsh was very good. Brumbies deserved to be penalised more and yellow carded more, they are very negative and cynical.
Stin
Guest
+1 - hooper was great! I was there and e looked tops! Smith did the 'essentials' better = excellent Walls trial(minis injury)
mpm
Guest
Didn't you listen to the game? The ref said that he thought the Brumbies dived, Kafer agreed, and do so I. The front of the maul fell over, blame unclear and not relevant because the maul kept going, and then Sio at the back went around the bodies and took a dive for the line.
roardog
Guest
biltong show me a game when walsh is referring that the home side has not finished in front of the penalty count , he is a show pony
A Different Cat.
Guest
You cant get over highly paid people living in wealthy areas can you Johnno.
Dan H
Guest
LOL. "But I rolled two twenties thats an instant right"?
A Different Cat.
Guest
Hooper did sweet FA? Hooper was excellent, scored a try, broke the line, gained the most metres out of both teams forwards, got at least 1 pilfer and his support play was awesome.
kingplaymaker
Guest
What's the point in an 'intense' Wallaby trial if it means half the players end up getting injured?
A Different Cat.
Guest
The picks that some people come up with you would think its 13 and not the Wallabies but the Kangaroos. It was Smith in the 7 jumper but it may now be Hooper with Gill on the bench. Australia is that good but Im worried that all the speculation that JOC will be 10 could have some substance to them. JOC should be nowhere near the Wallaby 10 jumper. Id bench him as a utility of great ability that can cover 11, 14 & 15 with Lealiifano to cover 12.
Loyal tah fan
Guest
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