Join us here on The Roar for a rare Sunday afternoon treat, as the Waratahs host the Lions from South Africa at Allianz Stadium at 4.05pm (AEST).
The Waratahs are coming off the bye last round and are heavily favoured to win at home against a Lions team short on experience and low on form.
The Waratahs are currently sitting third in the Australian conference and will be looking for a bonus point win to keep pace with not only their own conference but also to force their way into a wildcard position on the overall standings.
The Lions are currently in third position in the South African conference and while not in a position to challenge for a playoff spot will want to continue on with a solid season, after regaining their position in Super Rugby having failed to feature in the 2013 competition.
History would suggest this is a bridge too far for the Lions, with the franchise having never recorded a win against the Waratahs in Australia and their last win against the men from NSW way back in 2001 at Ellis Park.
However to write the Lions off this afternoon would be foolish. Anyone who saw last weekend’s comeback against the Highlanders knows this Lions team has plenty of spirit and will scrap for every inch,.
The Waratahs are in for a fight this afternoon, despite what the bookies may tell you.
Key match-ups
Nick Phipps versus Francois de Klerk
Faf de Klerk is one of the form halfbacks of the competition and pushing for higher honours. The often-maligned Nick Phipps will be looking to show his form against the Hurricanes was not a one-off.
Wycliff Palu versus Warren Whiteley
These two impressive number eights will be keen to see their team get on the front foot. Palu will look to follow-up on his good performance against the Hurricanes after an injury-plagued season. Whiteley, the inspirational and workaholic Lions eight man, wants to secure a rare away win for his team.
Despite coming off the bye, when teams often struggle to find their best form, I expect the Waratahs will have too much in the tank for this Lions team. However I do not believe it will be as straight forward as many have predicted.
Before you tuck into your Sunday roast, join us on the live blog to discuss and dissect the action as it unfolds!
Tip: Waratahs by 20.
The Moondawwg
Roar Rookie
I particularly enjoy what you said about self realisation. He has taken on the mind frame that he can move whoever he wants. It was only last week that people we arguing about whether he can last a half. This week he has shown a fantastic 40, effective and efficient 20 and 20 of doing what others do with a few spills. His hard runs nor pops at the line are my fave.... it's his nonchalant attitude for who he will disrupt/remove/move from a ruck/maul. He doesn't care about size nor reputation, he just zeros in on the ball and moves people (selectively and very well) around it to hinder opposition play.
Birthday Suit
Roar Rookie
The Brumbies are competing for spectators with the Canberra Raiders, a cellar dweller in the NRL. The Waratahs compete with 9 NRL teams, including the reigning premiers and 5 of the top 8 teams on the ladder, as well as several A-League teams. And when they play a struggling team from South Africa they still manage to almost double the crowd that the Brumbies get for a top of the table clash. Wow, it's pretty impressive what you can make of statistics when you have an agenda!
Internal Fixation
Guest
He is very good at silly penalties and dumbfounded looks
Charlie Mackay
Guest
Horne: please no, he has done nothing until tonight. Shouldn't even rate a mention. McCabe to be the ideal bench player, if not starting on a wing due to excellent form (even from the bench) Skelton: I'm sorry, but I don't rate him. Slow into contact and doesn't apply his weight around the field like a bloke his size should. His basic skills disappear after an hour and, fundamentally, a second rower needs to be lifted in the lineout. Foley: from a personal perspective, I'd prefer Toomua. Simmons: has been frustrating me recently with ridiculous and petty penalties which will be a severe handicap at test level. Horwill: enough said with his petulant comments last night. For second row, my preference is Jones/Fardy or Jones/Neville with Fardy at 6. Palu: I can't trust him. Though I don't trust Higginbotham either... I'm a fan of McCalman atm (never thought I'd say that...)
jameswm
Guest
He just can't do anything else.
Patrick Effeney
Editor
Great debut Digger. Really well done.
Patrick Effeney
Editor
We're actually working on that guys. Highlights during the live blogs. It's not far away, trust me!
Pclifto
Guest
I agree he will be... but he shouldn't be. McKenzie's loyalty will see to that.
The Bleat
Guest
That's my biggest concern, an injury to a lock and a backrower early in the game and all of a sudden Skelton needs to go 80.I never want to see a repeat of that 1st lions test where hooper played in the backline. We were never going to win from that position.
Tane Mahuta
Guest
He will be there for sure imo. I actually think he will one of the first picked. He is the only lineout calling lock with good exp at international level in Aus.
Tane Mahuta
Guest
Meaning mid RC.
Chan Wee
Guest
meaning year end tour? he needs anger management lessons. last night he put his hand on a few faces , for no reson than being tackled. europeans will take exception to such :)
jameswm
Guest
Great call by Cheika to get Skelton to play the full 80. He had a fantastic game. He and Palu brutalised the Lions at times. His clearouts are great, he diffuses mauls on his own, it takes 3 guys to bring him down. He's always looking for the offload, just needs to improve at getting his arms free.
Tane Mahuta
Guest
Sep 11th Chan.
Tane Mahuta
Guest
A bit low on wingers in Aus. Tomane, CFS and Speight to come into consideration later. Wings in the 30 are. AAC, Horne, Cummins. At a stretch. McCabe, Kurindrani, Folau.
Chan Wee
Guest
no Speight? the most anticipated, argued, wanted debut of 2014 :)
jameswm
Guest
I'm thinking that. Having Toomua at 10 makes up for Beale's suspect defence.
Dan
Guest
Poor data representation. 11k in a city of 300k with two footy teams across two codes vs 19k in a city of 4.5m with 14 footy teams across 4 codes.
jameswm
Guest
Simmons struggling to make the 30 for mine.
Scot Free
Guest
Seems reasonable. A bit low on wingers in the 30?