The Waratahs are in the top six with a 4-3 record, but a dreadful performance against the Force last Saturday means that doubts have surfaced about their playoff perigee. Can they beat the Bulls for the first time in eight years? Join The Roar for Live scores and coverage from 7:40pm (AEDT).
Both sides are desperate for a win. Only four points separates the 5th placed Waratahs from the 12th placed Reds. The Bulls are in 8th place on 18 points.
Despite losing two games on the road the Bulls are a settled team. Captain Flip van der Merwe has been named in the starting team after he passed a fitness test.
WATCH THIS GAME LIVE ON FOXTEL PLAY
Van der Merwe was in doubt after he was injured in last weekend’s bonus point loss to the Highlanders in Dunedin, but has recovered sufficiently from his arm injury to lead the team.
Bulls coach Frans Ludeke named the same starting team that played in Dunedin, but made one change on the bench, where Rudy Paige will act as scrum-half cover.
The Bulls kick the ball more than any other team in the competition and statistically have one the best lineouts. They will attempt to suffocate the Waratahs who have only scored three tries in the last three games.
The Waratahs attack should be boosted by the return of Israel Folau, who was denied the chance to play last weekend by the ARU.
In four games this season Folau has run 408 metres, beaten 13 defenders and scored seven tries.
Michael Hooper’s stats are very good this season. He has made 68 tackles and carried the ball 56 times for a gain of 200 metres. However he was outplayed by the outstanding Matt Hodgson last Saturday and needs a big game to reassert himself as the top openside in Australia.
Hooper will mark Jacques du Plessis, the 20 year old, who has been one of the Bulls best this season. He has made 79 tackles and gained 161 metres with ball in hand.
A possession based team against a kick and chase based team. Two teams out of form seeking a return to form. It will be a good scrap!
Join The Roar for Live scores and coverage from 7:40pm (AEDT).
Matthew Skellett
Guest
Would have to agree Mick; Dennis' s father and Cheiks must belong to the same lodge or something for Dennis to keep the captain's gig-means Cheiks cant easily sack him for mediocre performances -Hooper would make a much better Captain and it would mean a more efficient faster and harder working second-rower would get Dennis' s job despite the fact him and his folks being nice people and all
RobC
Roar Guru
Was a turnover fest towards the end.
mick
Guest
Talk is cheap! He is hopeless but at least he didn't have his usual post game fake(I'm really hurting from this performance), sookface on, Dennis seems one of those guys that loves having the captain title so he can parade around on the Sydney social scene fronting as a decent rugby player and loving the perks that come with it, in reality he doesn't care about the team and personal improvement/added commitment except for those said perks that he'd otherwise miss out on. Dennis is a lost cause who would struggle to make a club side if it wasn't for him playing for the tahs, picking him and even moreso as captain is the biggest slight on Cheikas coaching.
mick
Guest
You wouldnt be the only one boomer, I dread the kiwi derbies, especially first game on a Friday night when im hanging out to watch rugby. No interest whatsoever, if the ARU push for a trans tasman comp then im out.
Matthew Skellett
Guest
On watching the game on fox I thought the Tah's tackling was pretty good , it's what clinched the game for them in the end -when the Bulls reached 9 points to the Tahs 13 I told my g/f sitting next to me that I would swear off watching the Tahs ever again if they shot themselves in the foot once more but that axe hasn't been swung yet so look forward to the Blues game and may the best team win :-)
Mapu
Guest
Wait till he has to eat his head.looking likely.
Mapu
Guest
Na not good at all
Damo
Guest
correct, You cant play for another country if youre played for another country regardless of heritage and birth place. However we dont see anyone complaining when NZ u20 players end up playing for the half the dozen countries on the senior level including the Wallabies dont we?. Hypocrites as usual.
Common Sense
Guest
They're equal tenth, all but the Stormers and Cheetahs are in with a chance this year.
You actually thought the Lions are in contention?
Common Sense
Guest
C'mon Stormers! Take the lions out of contention!
44bottles
Guest
None Pirates. That's against the IRB laws to play for more than two countries. I thought you knew better than that.
Common Sense
Guest
That stormers no.2 is very very very lucky not to be red carded in that last run of play. I wouldn't be surprised to see him benched for the second half so they don't risk the two yellow red card.
Roland Chan
Roar Rookie
That would be the only way either country would win regularly.
Common Sense
Guest
Yeyah, Kafer agrees with me. :)
Magic Sponge
Guest
Dennis is a zombie on the walking dead sbs. How is he getting picked does he have a rich dad or something
Common Sense
Guest
Rob Horne is highly under rated. Looks to be suited to the wing, he doesn't have to pass out there.
Magic Sponge
Guest
Dave Dennis would do a hundred in 2 minutes he is that slow. How is he a first grader.
Magic Sponge
Guest
Your opinion and harassment on Buzzard is rubbish
Common Sense
Guest
You're weird.... :{o|