Waratahs coach Michael Cheika has recalled fullback Israel Folau and Rob Horne from injury as welll as South African lock Jacques Potgieter for their Super Rugby semi-final against the Brumbies on Saturday.
Potgieter is the only straight replacement for the ‘Tahs, and he replaces hulking lock Will Skelton in the starting team. Skelton started in the Waratahs’ latest match against the Reds, but played from the bench in the previous two matches after his Wallabies debut against France.
Since coming to Sydney, Potgieter has been in strong form in both attack and defence, and has worked tirelessly whenever he’s on the field. He also offers the Waratahs the flexibility of an extra lineout forward who can switch to the loose forwards if required.
Skelton will play a good amount of minutes in the second half, with Cheika preferring to use him as an impact player.
Backline weapons Folau and Horne are returning from injury and illness in the only other changes to the team that beat the Reds last in their latest game.
Folau missed the Reds game with a corked thigh, while an ailing Horne was a match-day scratching.
Wingers Cam Crawford, Matt Carraro and Taqele Naiyaravoro have all been named on an extended nine-man bench for the Waratahs’ first finals appearance since 2011.
The Waratahs or the Brumbies, who were runners-up last year, will face with the winners of the other semi-final between the Crusaders and the Sharks in the final.
The Brumbies showed last week in their game against the defending champion Chiefs that they are willing to throw the ball around, and with big guns Matt Toomua and Pat McCabe back, they should present a stern challenge to the Waratahs. Australian derbies are typically billed as attritional affairs, but this one promises to have plenty of flair and tries, with both sides cranking up their attacking game.
Having breezed through their last three games, the Waratahs are heavy favourites to make the final and take the title.
Waratahs: Israel Folau, Alofa Alofa, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Kurtley Beale, Rob Horne, Bernard Foley, Nick Phipps, Wycliff Palu, Michael Hooper (capt), Stephen Hoiles, Jacques Potgieter, Kane Douglas, Sekope Kepu, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Benn Robinson. Reserves: Tola Latu, Paddy Ryan, Jeremy Tilse, Will Skelton, Mitch Chapman, Pat McCutcheon, Brendan McKibbon, Matt Carraro, Taqele Naiyaravoro, Cam Crawford (one to be omitted).
44bottles
Roar Guru
When did either team say who they wanted to play?
44bottles
Roar Guru
Now you know how I feel when the Crusaders are listed as favourites in games they have no right to be. This year there was Canes away and Blues away (I think they were favourites in that one, might need to check) I feel it gives the other teams motivation being the underdogs.
PeterK
Roar Guru
it is going to be very close at least up to the 70 min mark.
Blinky Bill of Bellingen NSW
Guest
Thank goodness jeznez I thought I was alone in my thinking there for a while. :( On the plus aide for us * No injuries at Tahville that I'm aware of; and * We have Cheiks as coach.;)
PeterK
Roar Guru
Brumbies lack confidence. They wanted the easy road through the finals, and think they cannot beat the crusaders. That was why they wanted the sharks to beat the highlanders. Tahs on the other actually wanted the hardest path so no one could say they weren't worthy winners. They wanted to play the brumbies followed by the crusaders. That mental attitude says a lot.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Yeah Will I was thinking exactly the same thing, how this market is framed is beyond me. There is nothing in this game. The Brumbies will be happy Pyeper is in charge, it will be a free for a all at the breakdown. Tahs need to be ruthless here.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Agree BBB - that is where I am a bit worried as well. Quite apart from the quality of the Brumbies, they have had some good hard hit outs lately. The Tahs are coming off the bye and their last close game was the comeback against the Hurricanes on the 3rd of May, since that match they have had an average winning margin of 26 points. The fact that they faced the Lions, Rebels, Reds and an injury depleted Brumbies in that run makes me worry they won't be battle hardened. Giving me hope is that they beat the Chiefs in NZ by 16 points and dusted the Highlanders by 28 - both these teams made the finals and contested well before going out - so those wins provide some confidence. Still a very nervous Waratahs supporter though!
Markus
Guest
Murphy has looked strong in the scrums slotting in at hooker. And with his rapid improvement in the lineouts over just a couple of weeks of practice, Brumbies may take the risk and start him over Mann-Rea.
Blinky Bill of Bellingen NSW
Guest
But jameswm, don't you reckon the Brumbies have the momentum at the moment? 2 hard games & they're rumbling along nicely. Or so it seems to me. Our blokes have been training, freshening-up, fixing lineout & scrum woes, which is all good but nothing quite beats actual game time. Right? :(
PeterK
Roar Guru
agree
PeterK
Roar Guru
Peyper is very lax re the breakdown which favours the brumbies
PeterK
Roar Guru
IMO The brumbies won the scrum battle first time they played and pretty even last time with Moore out. I think Sio has the edge over Kepu, and Alexander over Robinson (who has been weak all season) BUT they do not combine as well with Mann-Rea.
jameswm
Roar Guru
Set piece? I think Robinson will look to work Alexander over. Sio v Kepu is an even tussle. TPN is a much stronger scrummager than Mann-Rea too. I think it's a pretty bold call to say Brumbies by plenty. They might well win, but I don't think in a blowout.
jameswm
Roar Guru
After the first week off, the Tahs had a poor game first game back (Brumbies in Canberra from memory). After the 2nd week back, the Tahs came back absolutely on fire. I think the Tahs will finish the more strongly, esp with Skelton and Naiyaravoro coming on in the 2nd half.
jameswm
Roar Guru
Nah I think after the season the Tahs have had and being at home, the Tahs should be favourites. But not by that much.
jameswm
Roar Guru
Toomua on side and Mowen and Fardy not coming in the side and going on their hands (not supporting their body weight).
Combesy
Roar Guru
agree will. Brumbies have been on fire in the last two weeks. The break could hurt the waratah's. But then again the waratah's are a more settled unit. Lets hope they have some resemblance of a working lineout, otherwise the brumbies will turn this into a kick fest and attempt to arm wrestle them from the set piece
Nigel Imrie
Guest
Potgeiter should be playing at 6, seems such a waste to restrain such a thinking mongrel, what an asset to the Tahs hehas been. Nobody can doubt Hornes credentials this year he has been outstanding and what a team man, he hasn't threatened to go to League cause he hasn't had a starting spot, as for Naiyaravoro, is he available to play for the Wallabies? Cos if he is Link should be trying tonud him into his backline along with Speight!! Brumbies will take this one, set piece, particularly the lineout will separate the two plus their speed game, Tahs will have to be prompt at the breakdown, Hooper vs Butler, Butler had a great game last week and was rewarded with a try. If Brumbies can be up for another hell game after last weeks huge effort then they will win by plenty!!
TahDan
Roar Guru
You seriously don't think it will be a contest? Mate, I really hope you're right, but the Brumbies look pretty bloody solid right now...
TahDan
Roar Guru
Horne has been great all year and score a few cracking tries. The guy has great power and pretty solid pace, and his dislike of passing actually makes him pretty suited to wing in a lot of ways. As for Naiyaravoro, I imaging Cheika will save him for the final 10 unless the Waratahs look like they're running away with it (which I doubt given the stellar form of the brumbies since having their undermanned side hammered by the tahs a few weeks back).