The Highlanders clash with the Waratahs in Dunedin, in what is sure to be a great match. Join The Roar at for live scores and a bit of chat from 5:25pm (AEDT).
After barely getting out of neutral while beating the woeful Reds last weekend, the Waratahs are making their third away trip in a row (with a bye in between), this time to the ‘Edinburgh of the South’.
Wallatahs wonder-coach Michael Cheika has named an unchanged side, meaning Matt Carraro gets a second start as Adam Ashley-Cooper still has knee trouble, with no firm return date.
The motorised workrate of Peter Betham will complement Carraro on the other wing, which is important news for a side that loves having a bit of a gallop as much as the New South Welshmen do. They’ve made the most metres, most clean breaks per game, and beaten the most defenders despite only playing three games so far.
It’ll be interesting to see if the Tahs can actually play well – barely getting out of neutral against the Reds wasn’t a compliment – against the Highlanders, who knocked off the Chiefs last week away from home.
The Highlanders are confident they can upset the champions at home, despite Aaron Smith coming out for the obligatory pre-game build-up chat saying something along the lines of not being wary of the Tahs, being jealous of the Tahs’ squad, and so on.
In kind, Tatafu Polota-Nau revealed that the Tahs plan to target Smith, the Highlander’s most enigmatic player. Quelle surprise!
The Otago side have had a tougher schedule than the Tahs so far, losing to the Crusaders, and beating the Reds and Chiefs in tight games. Their points record so far is equal to the Tahs, who have also beat the Reds as well as the Rebels, while losing their opening game to the Force.
Both teams have both had a bye too – the Highlanders in Round 1, the Tahs in Round 3.
Prediction
NSW have somehow won two games, but winning while playing badly is the mark of champions. However, with the momentum and morale from their surprise victory over the team many expect win the comp this year means I’m leaning towards a narrow Highlanders win (mind you though, the game last year was expected to be tight and it finished in a romp).
Highlanders by 5.
44bottles
Roar Guru
A Dagg-Smith combo is better than a Smith-Piutau/Jane/Whoever else combo though. And anyway, playing as a right wing, he essentially drops back to fullback a lot in defence anyway, and often roves around the midfield. I think people just like to have a dig at dagg half the time.
Mike
Guest
Since he was in the team a few months ago, I wouldn't make any assumptions just yet.
Mike
Guest
Agree re Hoiles. Old but underrated
richard
Guest
If only the Blues had their backbone.Highlanders - guts personified. As an aside,Ben Smith should be the AB fullback,and not just based on this game.
pjm
Roar Rookie
Haha yeah. That old Tah Horan must be crushed.
Samvandamn
Guest
Not anymore, he hasn't been their scrum coach since 2013, Clarke Dermody is their current scrum coach.
Batdown
Roar Rookie
Fekitoa was a beast!
DaniE
Roar Guru
Highlanders impressive, especially Ben Smith. The size of some of their backs yet still so fast. The NZ conference is quite exciting, again
Jokerman
Guest
Nice to see the highlanders win. They do it tough having to play the kiwi sides twice.
Kw
Guest
Tahs were well and truly done over. Even with Joubert giving them all the calls the Tahs just fumbled their way. For a team full of Wallabies...very average.
RobC
Roar Guru
Thanks Nick!
Lano
Roar Guru
Not watching the home team and Reds??
Lano
Roar Guru
Understood
cait
Guest
I don't know why cheika doesn't use hoiles, Chapman, tilse, Ryan, lousi or latu more. As soon as hoiles got on the field the tahs picked up a bit more. He was everywhere being such an awesome support to everyone. Tahs just didn't come to play. They let the highlanders get the better of them. Well done to the landers, they wanted this one bad and they definitely deserved it. Still have hope for my waratahs but they need to pick up their game
RobC
Roar Guru
Lousi looks promising. Good game, but that one was for the Tahs to lose at 25'. The turn point an innocuous knock in the Landers redzone during a excellent LO play. Fiketoa (along with rest of the Landers) lifted his defence, almost as good as the attack. Landers exploiting the same gaps Tahs exposed last week. And like the Reds, rucked wisely minimising the commitments - maximising the TOs
taylorman
Roar Guru
Thanks Nick...not a bad prediction...two off!
Rugby Tragic
Guest
Not trying to be smart but did you have serious doubts?
AliasAlias
Guest
Waratahs are losers. What's the excuse going to be this time? I'm not a fan of every team in the n Super Rugby. The Waratahs are the only team I want to see lose every time. Go Highlanders!
taylorman
Roar Guru
One thing that's missing from last year is this Tahs defence. Beale didn't contribute much tonight and as good as he is Folau has some alarming traits. Tahs certainly won't top the table on that performance so have to commit to the hard road. 13 tries leaked already in 4 matches. Cheika will be earning his double rate from here forward that's for sure. On the AB watch Good to see the Highlanders ABs playing strongly to go with a Read, McCaw, Carter all coming through well.
Rugby Tragic
Guest
No being smart but did you seriously have doubts?