The NSW Waratahs have named an unchanged team to line up against the Crusaders in the Super Rugby final this Saturday at ANZ Stadium.
There would have been a temptation to switch the young powerhouse lock Will Skelton to the starting team in place of Jacques Potgieter, but the consistent and aggressive performances of the busy South African means he remains at number 4 for the final.
Potgieter has been one of the Waratahs’ best through the year, with Michael Cheika preferring to use Skelton off the bench in a majority of recent fixtures, and inject him into the game early in the second half.
The dynamic backline that has served the Waratahs so well through the year remains crucially intact.
The biggest concern for Cheika would have to be the line-out. They are coming up against a strong set-piece outfit in the Crusaders, meaning Tatafu Polota-Nau will again be under pressure to make sure the Waratahs are securing their ball.
Cheika admitted as much, saying the Waratahs will need to focus on the set piece.
“The Crusaders are a powerful unit who really focus on their set piece and will be confident after taking apart a strong Sharks outfit,” he said.
But Cheika backed his star-studded backline to cause the seven-time champions plenty of trouble.
“We’ve got to keep pushing, holding on is not enough. We will go out there, play as we have all season and play good attacking footy and give them some trouble.”
Stephen Hoiles has been the preferred jumper in the absence of Dave Dennis, and the Waratahs will need to vary their targets in the lineout if they are to make sure they are winning possession from their own throw.
Polota-Nau says he remains focussed on the job at hand, and isn’t worrying about the jumpers the Crusaders have at their disposal.
“I will be taking this game as if it was my last, not worrying about what they are doing will be the key to victory against the Crusaders.”
Matt Carraro and Peter Betham have been named on an extended bench for the Waratahs, but the rest of the starting lineup and bench remains the same.
Waratahs team to take on the Crusaders
1. Benn Robinson, 2.Tatafu Polota Nau, 3. Sekope Kepu, 4. Jacques Potgieter, 5. Kane Douglas, 6. Stephen Hoiles, 7. Michael Hooper (c), 8. Wycliff Palu, 9. Nick Phipps, 10. Bernard Foley, 11. Rob Horne, 12. Kurtley Beale, 13. Adam Ashley-Cooper, 14. Alofa Alofa, 15. Israel FolauReplacements: 16. Tolu Latu, 17. Jeremy Tilse, 18. Paddy Ryan, 19. Will Skelton, 20. Mitchell Chapman, 21. Pat McCutcheon, 22. Brendan McKibbin, 23. Taqele Naiyaravoro, 24. Matt Carraro, 25. Peter Betham
Flynn
Guest
Some good points there, and as an aussie crusader fan I just hope Folau stays long enough so his positional play does get to the level he's capable of.
WallaTah
Guest
Thanks Rotuma, your support is greatly appreciated..... Hope they can make Australia proud!
PeterK
Roar Guru
I agree his kicking is very good far better than Folau. Yes his positional play is very good, but so is Folau's. How else do you think Folau knows to be in the right place for attack to back up and receive the ball popping out of know where. Also Folau has improved his positional defense a great amount, still not as good as Dagg but not the gap that you think. Dagg is a poorer defender as well he only makes 60% of his tackles whilst Folau makes 80%. Dagg did kick well in the game against the sharks and positioned himself well to receive the kicks but with his attack well down I thought he only had a fair game not a good game. In context of my original statement ie Nadalo being the only strike weapon in the crusaders backline was obviously in context of attack hence my rating of him in poor form in this area. I did not say he was poor in all facets of his game and accept he did well in other areas.
Flynn
Guest
Admittedly Dagg hasn't had the attacking flair he has been known for, but his positional play and kicking options are far better than the likes of Folau.
PeterK
Roar Guru
no very self aware. You make a light hearted comment and I reverse it with the same light heartedness and that goes above you and you bite.
Common Sense
Roar Rookie
You really are oblivious to yourself, aren't you...
PeterK
Roar Guru
LOL - it is the kiwis who are up in arms that an article was written that was pro tahs for the win. Far more flak to suggest that the mighty won 7 titles crusaders might lose than that the tahs lose.
Common Sense
Roar Rookie
How dare you suggest that the Waratahs might lose. You know we're not allowed to do that in here!
Harry Jones
Guest
Waratahs 23 Crusaders 27
Squirrel
Guest
Dagg was in poor form until against the sharks where he had a blinder. I'd give Skelton more time. I'd bring him on at 30 minute mark
PeterK
Roar Guru
That is what I meant when I said that when I said Horne covers for Beale in defence.
Red Kev
Roar Guru
Horne has been doing a lot of his defending at 12 with Beale out on the wing.
PeterK
Roar Guru
ran 19 times for 81 metres, av of 4 per run, nadalo 13 runs for 111. Only nadalo out of the backs even against the shambolic sharks was a very effective runner. Dagg was average , perhaps 4 metres per run for a f/b is good for dagg?
Clark
Guest
Dagg is hardly in poor form, he had a good game last week.
PeterK
Roar Guru
Of course you keep the team unchanged. However I would make 1 small change. Horne has been the outstanding defensive winger this season. Missed the least tackles. Alofa has missed a few. Nadalo is the crusaders strike weapon in the backline especially with Dagg in poor form. I would have Horne mark Nadalo and Alofa on the other wing at least in defence. In attack alofa would run runs around nadalo who is lacks athleticism and slow laterally and slow to get moving. Of course Horne covers for beale in defence so perhaps that is more important and rely on the cover to get nadalo.
Red Kev
Roar Guru
I asked yesterday, Joubert.
Anthony Hird
Roar Guru
Does anyone know who the referee is? I'm just hoping Peyper isn't anywhere near ANZ stadium.
niwdeyaj
Guest
i think skelton is most effective off the bench at both super and national level... is it saturday yet?
Mike
Guest
Not start Potgieter? Was such a brain-snap ever seriously under consideration? As for starting Skelton (which is not necessarily the same thing), Cheika has done pretty well using him off the bench so far. There's probably good reason for that.
44bottles
Roar Guru
Did Naiyaravoro end up not getting cited or is it still under question? If not, do any roarers think he will be dropped for a cooler head in either Betham or Carraro?