Michael Cheika believes tonight’s game versus the Reds are the last opportunity for his Waratah players to impress newly appointed Wallaby coach Ewen McKenzie. Join us for live updates from 7.40pm AEST.
The season for the Waratahs is over as they can no longer make the Super Rugby play offs, but there is no shortage of motivation for NSW as this game is the last Berrick Barnes will play for the Waratahs before he takes an 18 month sabbatical to Japan.
The Reds can no longer catch the Brumbies at the top of the Australian conference.
Being five points behind, even a bonus point win over the Waratahs would mean they still have the issue of a points difference deficit to the Brumbies.
The Reds have to decide whether they want to play the Crusaders in Christchurch or the Brumbies in Canberra; I know which one I would prefer.
The Crusaders are currently the red hot team in the competition, having thumped the defending champion Chiefs last weekend.
The question is, what do the Reds want to do? If they drop the game it means the Brumbies, but it also means momentum lost.
Win and they travel to New Zealand.
The Waratahs will want to play for pride. It’s been another ‘almost’ season for them – they started poorly and took a number of rounds to hit their stride before having a number of impressive wins on tour, notably the 70-odd point thrashing of the Kings in Port Elizabeth which announced the arrival of Israel Folau.
Ultimately, this match is purely for entertainment purposes and we should see some good play.
The Reds will be without the services of Will Genia, the Waratahs lacking Folau.
My tip, Waratahs by seven.
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
this is a test only
atlas
Guest
that can't be right - I have read of the 'phenomenal success' of Ewen Mckenzie with the Waratahs.
atlas
Guest
“If these blokes were horses you would swab them.” and for the Highlanders - call the course vet: “If these blokes were horses you would shoot them.”
Mike
Guest
"If these blokes were horses you would swab them." Too true. Consistency is one of our biggest issues. At provincial as well as national level.
Tembavj
Guest
This game was built up so much last week by all the reds fans, welcome to a new era of entertaining rugby... What a boring game!
Glenn Condell
Guest
Terrible game. Knockonathon with poor to average kicks for a bit of variety. The Brumbies dropped even more. At least our lesser sides turned it on again, good on them for playing with hunger and directness. Guys like Luke Jones and Nick Cummins were the pick this round, no prima donnas, just goers. The NZ games provided a contrast with the sure passing and handling skills. Robbie Deans must be sporting a wry grin. Who was the best Aussie flyhalf this weekend? Cooper, Foley, Toomua - all dreadful with the odd good moment. JOC arrives after oranges and bosses a lost cause into a famous victory. If these blokes were horses you would swab them.
Jutsie
Guest
mick unfortunately he had a shocker last nite lol
T Bone
Guest
Reds have gone through a poor patch until recently, and the Brumbies were rebuilding after being extremely strong. I guess my point is that neither of these franchises claim to be a major threat each year... They evaluate where they are, what needs to be done and hence puts them in a position to challenge for the title (Brumbies this year for example). I think the media and the Tahs always think they are so close to a breakthrough year - It distorts what needs to be done and limits how much they need to clean up front and back office....I just don't see them being that close.
Jonny Boy Jnr
Guest
Ahhhhh.. Qld would never 'throw' a match to NSW & given the way he has conducted himself in the public eye for his entire career - I'm quite certain McKenzie is not as egotistical as you're making out. What a ridiculous comment Johnno.
Takeshi Kovacs
Roar Rookie
Just got back from the game (via a number of watering holes) and have to say that I'm a bit surprised by the comments here. Don't get me wrong; it was by no means a great game of rugby, but it wasn't anywhere near as bad as people here are making out. Walsh's decisions didn't appear to really favour one side over the other, Copper's passing game was still head and shoulders above anyone else on the field, the defence on both sides was willing and both sides appeared to be giving it their all. That said, the mistake rate and general accuracy left a lot to be desired. Both sides looked rusty, and as already stated elsewhere, the June break has got to be the reason. Either the SuperRugby format needs to change so that it's done and dusted prior to the in-coming internationals or the internationals need to be pushed back to July/August. In my not so humble opinion, it should be domestic rugby (3rd tier consisting of the current Super sides plus Western Sydney/Newcastle/Gold Coast or whoever) followed by a knock-out competition between the top 3 or 4 from the SANZAR nations, then the in-bound tests (which would be 3 tests versus 1 opponent) and then the pinnacle - the 4 Nations. That way you have a logical progression of quality, an excellent means of developing Wallaby selections based on form and better marketing progression. PS For the love of god, please get Benn Robinson out of the centers - the amount of times he (or one of the the other Waratahs tight 5) killed momentum was simply mind boggling.
eagleJack
Guest
Interesting blow up by Cheika tonight regarding Beale and his treatment from the Rebels. The Tahs snared him so knowing they had lost him the Rebels got in early claiming they didn't want him. Saying due to his "personal challenges" he should remain in Sydney. I like Cheika. Looks after his players and has a good heart. He'll have a solid team next year.
Dan H
Guest
Wow what a tahs supporter whingathon this thread is. Sorry if the tahs got penalised for standing offside all night. Maybe they should have gotten onside? Walsh should have penalised the tahs numerous times for laying about in the ruck and slowing the ball, especially that kepu clown who was doing that and then slowly moving through the channel between 9 and 10. At the end of the day it was a poor game with both teams playing bad rugby in the second half. Walsh was good with letting the game flow and was consistent. Not his fault the tahs wouldnt stop infringing and neither team could hold onto the ball.
Daveski
Guest
Must say I've never read a bigger sack of bollocks from a group of keyboard critics than you lot !! Was at the game , which I assume none of you were.. And found it pretty entertaining if sometimes a little odd. Some great play, some boneheaded play, some good skills, lots of errors and some big hits. Rugby in Australia is partly in the hole it's in because of the attitude of its fans... And I give this thread as exhibit A
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Very average game, at least the Tahs kept it in hand an tried to play the rugby. How they didn't win it is beyond me, so many opportunities. Reds v Crusaders will be interesting.
DMac
Guest
Clearly you are an All Blacks supporter, and are yet to experience the bad end of a refereeing performance.
Mike
Guest
Why?
DMac
Guest
It didn't happen Jiggles. Saying it 300 times doesn't make it true.
Mike
Guest
Even the best front rows in the world from time to time get "bossed" so its hardly surprising. And sometimes a lot worse than that.
Justin3
Guest
Awful match. Link has work to do, particularly the backs. How bad was that? The Reds are playing far too narrow due to a lack of a proper 15 with pace. Reds tight 5 were excellent but the team lack any urgency getting to the breakdown. They got in behind fine but didn't capitalise. I recorded this and the force and won't be watching either again, so bad were they...
Jiggles
Roar Guru
Why did the 'best front row in Australia' just get bossed?