The NSW Waratahs would love to silence lippy Brumbies halfback Nic White in Saturday’s Super Rugby summit clash.
But as Wallaby teammate Tatafu Polota-Nau knows from painful experience, it’s best to keep your own mouth shut around the chirpy scrum feeder.
A week after combining to help Australia complete a three-game Test sweep of France White and Waratahs hooker Polota-Nau will be on opposite sides for the vital ANZ Stadium clash.
Second overall, the Waratahs lead the Australian conference by three points from the fourth-placed Brumbies, who have played one game more and have just two fixtures left.
Asked if any of the Brumbies had a parting shot at the Waratahs before they departed the Wallabies camp, Polota-Nau said “I’m sure Nic White had a bit of a go.
“Because he got one up on me during the Wallaby camp by knocking my teeth out again.”
Polota-Nau had only recently got his front teeth reset after having them knocked out in the Waratahs’ last game against the Chiefs when he came off the worse in a training accident with White.
Wallabies and Waratahs fullback Israel Folau also singled out White and his propensity for banter when asked which Brumbies player impressed him the most.
“I think Nic White is a great player, but he has a fair bit to say as well when he gets the opportunity,” Folau said.
“But I think that’s part of his game and the passion that he shows for his team, that he wants to do well.
“He’s certainly a good player and I’m looking forward to playing against him on Saturday.”
Asked if White gave him any parting message, Folau said: “He just said ‘take it easy on Saturday night’.”
In his second season of international rugby, Folau is still getting used to the idea of playing with and against some Wallabies teammates in such quick order.
“It feels a little bit funny, being in camp with them the last few weeks and then being back here at the Tahs playing against each other,” Folau said.
Polota-Nau has no qualms.
“It’s not that hard at all,” Polota-Nau said.
“You’ve got to put your friendships aside because at the end of the day whoever is not wearing your jersey becomes the enemy.”
Mark Richmond
Roar Guru
'Tahs only dominated the first game when the Brums were down to 14 men for a 20 min period of the second half. Until then they never looked like scoring a try.
Magic Sponge
Guest
Hansie I was just stirring I like how the Brumbies play as well as the tahs, still think the brumbies will get flogged, Pots , Douglas and even Robinson will be fresh and jumping out of their skins.
PeterK
Guest
shhh I agree, I just do not want the tahs to be overconfident :) So they need to focus on the threat, Also the Tahs have not shown they handle rush defense well, I want to see them have a counterplan for it. This is a failing at wallaby level as well.
Jagman
Guest
Yes but the Brumbies won that game in a period of about 2 minutes in the first half. The Waratahs dominated the second half but couldn't make up the difference in the end. Just saying that Waratahs did counter the brumbies tactics so they'll have to try something else. Fielding a 4th and 5th choice hooker is going to be they're downfall. Just thinking back on past years when TPN and Fitzpatrick were out it took ages for Ulugia to come up to speed.
Markus
Guest
It's definitely a cliche, I think that's a pretty accurate ratio. I know you said the forwards are down, the point of difference just seems to be that you may consider the Brumbies backline still strong enough to compensate for the disadvantage in the forwards. Looking at that likely starting pack, and more importantly the reserve forwards, I'm not so sure.
PeterK
Guest
Facts. You want facts? Well tries are a POOR measure of running rugby. With jake ball you play it down on the other end and then get a try from 5 metres out with a maul, forward pick and drive or spreading it wide. Try REAL facts that measure running rugby verse brumby jake ball. Carries Tahs 134 per game, Brumbies 105, 2nd lowest of oz teams. Metres Tahs 519 per game, brumbies 370 per game once again 2nd lowest of oz teams clean breaks tahs 9 per game, brumbies 6.5 2nd best of oz teams defenders beaten tahs 20.7 per game brumbies 13.4 per game THE LOWEST of any oz team (2nd lowest in comp) offloads tahs 13 per game, brumbies 8 per game 2nd lowest oz team jake ball stat re cynical play yellow cards brumbies 8 highest in comp tahs 4 second lowest in comp
PeterK
Guest
rubbish. The brumbies have scored 1 more try BUT they have played 1 more game. On a per game basis tahs are slightly ahead.
PeterK
Guest
I said the forwards are down. I disagree with the urban myth that all (most) games are won in the forwards. On average England, France, Wales and Ireland have better forwards than the Wallabies. However the Wallabies have a winning ratio against all of them. So either our forwards on average have been better OR if the backs are sufficiently better then they can make the difference. I think it is on a ratio of 3:1 ie if the pack are weaker by 5% then the backs need to be better by 15%. I would say the Wallaby packs have often been weaker by 10% but the backs better by more than 30%. Anyway the Brumbies tactics of jakeball rely on long kicks and keeping the ball tied down in the tahs half. This is a mainly backs dominated game plan except for the locks contesting lineouts. That said the tahs forwards should win it by getting over the gain line, and higher possession stats. Mind you if they drop the ball as much as the first game they will lose.
Hansie
Guest
Of course Magic Sponge, you do realise that the Brumbies have scored 5 more tries than the Waratahs this year. But don't let the facts get in front of your myth making.
Markus
Guest
The Brumbies Tahs games are pretty much always won in the forwards (what game isn't, I suppose), and the likely pack is looking like: 1. Sio 2. Luke Holmes 3. Alexander 4. Fardy 5. Power 6. Auelua/Smiler (unsure if Fotu is fit) 7. Butler 8. Mowen Then the reserves: 16. R Smith 17. JP Smith 18. Murphy (as hooker) 19. Smiler/McCaffrey 20. Staniforth/McCaffrey Though the Brumbies may still have the upper hand in the backs if Toomua is cleared, I think there are just too many key forwards missing to unleash them. Even the lineout isn't looking like an advantage anymore now they are down to their 4th and 5th string hookers.
PeterK
Guest
They SAY he is 50/50 that unless they are sure they won't risk him. It is all mind games. At the last minute he will be in the team list. The others they have actually ruled out. PS. I forgot about Coleman, he would take Rathbones spot on the wing. So it is a very good backline. Probably wasted though since they will kick it away a lot.
Blinky Bill of Bellingen NSW
Guest
Personally I'm disappointed that so many Ponies are out with injuries as this game promised so much. Never mind eh? It's what it is! Frankly I'm keen to see what Phipps can bring to the table. If our forwards provide quick clean ball & Phipps makes sure he arrives quickly & spins it to Foley without hesitation, then I'll be happy. May the better team win. Go the Tahs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Existentialist
Guest
so we will have to populate the Wallabies with Qlders?? haha Absolute FAIL! C'mon Tahs!!
Magic Sponge
Guest
I thought Toomua was injured. Jake ball vs running rugby, go you Wallatahs
formeropenside
Guest
Go the Brumbies, a fine 9-0 win with 3 penalties. Also, both teams should feel free to hurt each other as much as possible.
jameswm
Roar Guru
Yep - the Brumbies will not roll away, get int he half's way, be off side at the ruck defensive line, kick and kick chase, rush up on Kurtley etc. But the Tahs have to know that's coming and be ready for it.
PeterK
Guest
Toomua will probably play, it is all a smoke screen. Their forwards are down but their backline still looks very strong (overall better than Tahs backline). Very similar to the one that won the 1st match up. They will kick it deep all day and cynically kill the ball every chance they get. 9 -White 10 -Toomua 11 - Speight 12 - CL 13 - Kudriani 14 - Rathbone 15 - Mogg
snowman
Guest
Brumbies have to many injuries to have any real chance. I am worried they won't even make the finals.
Squirrel
Guest
Tahs will paste the brumbies by 30