The NSW Waratahs are wary of the emotional charge that Piri Weepu’s comeback from heart surgery will provide the Blues in Super Rugby’s Anzac Day showdown at Eden Park.
While Kurtley Beale’s speedy recovery from an ankle injury boosted the Waratahs on Wednesday, the Blues also received a major lift when coach Sir John Kirwan picked Weepu and Ma’a Nonu, another of their spiritual leaders, in the home team.
Weepu has been cleared to return via the bench after the World Cup-winning All Blacks halfback suffered a stroke last month and underwent minor heart surgery.
“He’s a big leader in their side. Last week, he was running the water and calling the shots from the sideline,” said Waratahs five-eighth Bernard Foley.
“To have him on the side will probably spark some emotion and then, when he comes on late in the game, he’ll be trying his best to have an impact and change the result.”
Nonu has also been absent with a calf injury, but the explosive Test centre returns to line up opposite Beale in what shapes as a mouth-watering midfield duel.
Nonu has a history of saving his best for the All Blacks, but Foley said it would be foolish of the Waratahs to underestimate one of the most destructive backs in the game.
“You can’t take any player lightly. Even recent form goes out the window when you play guys like that because they can come on and ignite something or do the things that only the world-class players do,” Foley said.
“So I can tell you now, we won’t be taking a guy like Ma No’nu lightly. He’s definitely a game breaker and will hurt us if we do.”
After telling Benji Marshall last weekend he’s not up to Super Rugby, Kirwan made another big call on Wednesday when he dumped All Blacks back-rower Steven Luatua to the bench for Friday’s match.
The Waratahs, though, know the Blues will be as tough as ever to beat in Auckland, where NSW last won in 2009.
Waratahs coach Michael Cheika named the same starting side that delivered a 19-12 home win over the Bulls last Saturday, with Beale’s inclusion a big relief for teammates.
After sitting out training on Tuesday and being in considerable doubt, Beale completed the full 90-minute session on Wednesday to convince Cheika he was fit to play after Jono Lance and Rob Horne had been on standby.
“He was moving very well out there – what ankle?” Foley said.
“He was looking good, looking quick and very elusive, so it’s good signs for us.”
Wallabies No.8 Wycliff Palu will also travel to Auckland on Thursday after being added to an extended nine-man bench after missing the Bulls game following the death of his father this month.
Squirrel
Guest
Jez Fos has to support Blues as no longer supports reds . Can you blame him.
44bottles
Guest
Pretty Much. Though I am basing this off of his form for the Highlanders/Hurricanes. I didn't think of his Blues form being better as I didn't watch him much for the blues.
therugbyfan
Guest
and here i was thinking Nonu has been pretty mediocre this season smh...,he has
Tane Mahuta
Guest
Mr Nonu.
jeznez
Roar Guru
FOS - you should probably start barracking against the Wallabies as well. A lot of your dislike of the Tahs seems to stem from them effectively running the ARU and stuffing Qld over the years. These days the Tahs don't control the ARU so you can stop hating on the Tahs and hate on the group that really stick it to Qld - Australia!
formeropenside
Guest
Go the Blues. I remember watching the glory days of Auckland back in the early 90's. Something like 13 AB's - and more or less current AB's - in the team.
eagleJack
Guest
Certainly a tough ground to play at for visiting teams. Can't wait for this one!
jameswm
Guest
I'm hoping the same. Geez they're devastating in bursts. A win here sets the Tahs up nicely. The following week they should beat the Canes in Sydney, and the Brumbies are in Christchurch. The Brumbies then host the table-topping Sharks (2nd game of their 4-game tour, Rebels is game 1) and then head to SA. The Tahs then have bye, Lions (H) and Rebels (A). Wow - just realised we have Tahs in Auckland at 3.30pm Sydney time followed by Brumbies hosting the Chiefs (early 5.30 kickoff). Will have to settle in for those.
Firstxv
Guest
Eden park...Eden park...Eden park....(that's all the blues need to focus on..home of champions...;)
jameswm
Guest
And potentially the Tahs'.
Squirrel
Guest
Agree Blinky the result will be based on the tahs. If we play a decent game with few back line errors we will win well but if we play like against Bulls we will lose. The back line has to fire no more firkin excuses. Weepu is yesterday's hero, no threat.
Blinky Bill of Bellingen NSW
Guest
IMHO the old cliché 'we just need to concentrate on our game' is spot-on with my Tahs. With us 'our game', because of the pace, requires greater accuracy and consistency than we are demonstrating at present. Get that right and we can go well. In patches we are brilliant. I'm just surprised, this far into the season, that we haven't got there yet. Hopefully we're still building. ;)
Firstxv
Guest
Nonu's Blues form has been amongst the best of his super sides efforts. The Blues will be looking for some sort of rennaisance starting with this match- Benji being dealt with, embarrassed by the Canes, Weepu and Nonu back, and back at Eden park. Plus the threat of the Tahs, the Folau factor etc...Theres more ingredients to this match that you wave a stick at...going to be fantastic. I said at half time last week that the next forty minutes will define Benji Marshalls rugby career, and it did. This match will define the Blues season.
flying hori
Guest
so what would you call him then Bottles?
44bottles
Guest
Wouldn't call Nonu "another of their spiritual leaders."