The Rebels will be playing for pride when they take on the Waratahs of New South Wales at AAMI Park. Join us for live scores and commentary from 7:40pm AEST.
It wasn’t so long ago that the Waratahs were the hottest rugby team in town. They were winning games left, right and centre and could hardly set a foot wrong.
Then their hot streak cooled off and everyone else caught up to them. The loss handed to them by the Blues a few weeks back seemed to get them back on the right path, picking up two consecutive wins before getting the bye last weekend.
Now they have a chance to probably make a play for a top 3 spot, if other results falls their way.
First, the Waratahs need to take care of the Rebels. Loosehead Benn Robinson will equal Al Baxter as NSW’s most-capped Super Rugby player with 121, while hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau takes over from Matt Burke as the fifth most capped player of all time for the Waratahs.
Attack has never been much of a problem for the Tahs, but their defence has been a little suspect.
That became a glaring problem when they played the Hurricanes in Round 12, the visitors almost running them down to miss out by nine points. The following game against the Lions proved a little better for the Sydneysiders, racking up 41 points to the Lions limp 17.
The same could be said of the Rebels. They have the attacking ability to score points, be competitive and win far more games then they have this year, but for one reason or another it just hasn’t panned out.
They are continually left puzzling to find where they can find those wins. It certainly hasn’t been from a lack of trying.
The Rebels will be extra hungry to put together back-to-back victories. Last week’s first ever win against the Reds was only their fourth this season. Importantly for the home side they’ll have fond memories of the Round 15 game they played against the Waratahs up in Sydney last season, lapping up a surprising 24-22 win.
It was the Waratahs who showed who was on top when the Rebels visited them earlier in the season and were thumped convincingly. Nonetheless, the Waratahs haven’t had the best form away from their home ground and against fellow Australian sides.
The Rebels are without halfback Luke Burgess, injured against the Reds after collecting two tries in the match. His absence has created a problem at the base of the scrum, with Ben Meehan and Josh Holmes to assume starting and back-up roles. Meanwhile, the re-signing of hooker Pat Leafa until the end of 2016 is a major boost for the club moving forward.
Melbourne have been developing well over the course of the past season and a bit since their introduction into the competition, and their fans are starting to see the benefits. The team are playing much better, are a lot more competitive in games and are holding their own against a lot of quality teams.
A win against the Tahs on Friday will strength them, and go a long way to ensuring they’ll feature in the post-season very soon.
Expect the Rebels to come out very strong in the first 10-15 minutes, and for the Waratahs to stay with them before taking control of the game. The individual strengths of the Sydneysiders will prove too much to handle for the home team.
Tip: Waratahs
Magic Sponge
Guest
McKibbon is the man
MiB
Guest
AAC is a fine player, just not a winger. If he is to stay in the run on 15 then he needs to be at center (Kurindrani to the bench) for solid hit-ups and his defensive play. He is not very quick and a winger in the modern game needs not only pace, but the kicking game of a fullback. McCabe offers both and can drop back to 15 in D when Folau is making his attacking raids up the middle. I see McCabe as Australia's Cory Jane. AAC would offer more off the bench against a tiring defence.
Matthew Skellett
Guest
Looking at the replay this morning I thought the Rebels didn't play that badly and defended well but the 'Tahs just had a great night where everything came together for them :-)
RobC
Roar Guru
Good game - Rebels losing ball too easily. Tough day in the office for Woodward. - No coincidence the game blew out when Kepu and Skelton came on. - Phipps. Great work.
Max Power
Guest
I agree Redbull, Phipps threw it from outside the 22 and Foley caught it about a metre inside. I'm pretty sure it went further forward than it did sideways.
DMac
Guest
I'd have asked for it again. For and against could come into it, especially if the Tahs were to end up level with the sharks.
DMac
Guest
Yeah that was a pretty silly comment. Dennis was very involved, as he was last week.
DMac
Guest
Chiefs the only team that can catch the sharks? Tahs are 5 behind with a game in hand and a superior for and against. It won't be easy but I wouldn't be writing them off just yet.
Michael
Guest
With the way the Bulls played today, they'll certainly pick up the full 5.
p.Tah
Guest
Which team do support?
Kane
Guest
Brumbies-Wheels falling apart. 44-23. Bulls in the playoof and fortunately for them they are handed 4 points playing the Lions next week. Its the usual capitulation of aussie teams at the business end of the competition. The only saving grace is the Tahs playing the Rebels this weekend. Chiefs are now the only team now that can catch the Sharks. It must suck being a Brumbies fan watching the Sharks do well while thier team are playing poorly
Redbull
Guest
That's it then. He's starting for the wallabies all year
Redbull
Guest
That pass was seriously forward
Redbull
Guest
People still watch state of origin?
Redbull
Guest
Sorry, my bad. You are naming the replacement to save space. Well done
Redbull
Guest
I'm going to have to assume some humour there. You think you know the 23 but bracket 7 of them?
Redbull
Guest
Wow, the Reds are having a bye, theTahs have a good win, but all you can do is rubbish the Reds. Nice one
James
Guest
Oh how I wish my team could play the Rebels and Red twice. That is at least 16 points gifted and a guarantee place in the playoffs.
jeznez
Roar Guru
6-1 is a shellacking. Especially when the Rebels try came from a shocking pass from Izzy with the line open at the other end. Very pleased by that. Hope the Landers can roll the Saders and set up a juicy encounter for next week.
ThelmaWrites
Guest
YouTube has a 5-minute highlights video. "Waratahs vs Rebels Super Rugby 2014".