The Waratahs face the Blues at Allianz Stadium looking to build on their bruising 28-13 defeat of the Brumbies in the Round 6 local derby.
The telling feature of last week’s match was the dominance of the Waratahs scrum, and NSW and national coach Michael Cheika must be feeling very encouraged by his options in the tight five.
While the Brumbies at times shoved back, the chocolates went to the Waratahs, who clearly targeted the scrum as an area in which they could inflict punishment.
And punish the Brumbies they did.
One pleasing aspect is the increasing amount of game time that Cheika is giving to giant lock Will Skelton, who is going from strength to strength.
Skelton was given 70 minutes time against the Queensland Reds in Round 5, which saw the Waratahs easy victors 23-5, and has been given similar game time in his last two outings against the Highlanders and Brumbies.
Skelton is developing into an integral part of the Waratahs forward pack and the fitter he becomes the better for Australian rugby. Not only is he a damaging runner, he proved last week he can also be very effective in the lineout.
However, the Waratahs are far from being a one-man show and the clinical manner in which they went about defeating the Brumbies proved that at their best, they are capable of defeating anyone.
The biggest danger to the Waratahs may be the Waratahs themselves, and while some might wonder why coach Cheika gave them the rounds of the kitchen during a midweek training session, it is undoubtedly to ensure that they do not rest on their laurels.
There is enormous potential in their squad. The problem is that consistency wins games, and groups with a lot of potential often seem expect that results will simply come. But a coach like Cheika will do everything in his power to get the Waratahs to the top of their game and keep them there.
The game against the Blues is a litmus test of the Waratahs’ capacity to maintain their concentration and commitment. While the Blues are without a win, they have considerable talent and present a challenge.
On face value, with the Blues running last in the Super Rugby rugby competition, and the Waratahs on home soil as the defending champions and flush from a hard fought victory over Australian conference leader the Brumbies, you would put your wife, your house and your first born on the Waratahs to win.
Nothing former All Black Great and Blues coach John Kirwan does seems to work.
In an effort to turn around the ailing fortunes of the Blues franchise, he has dropped five-eighth and goal kicker Ihaia West, who has played every minute of their five games to date for an 84 per cent goal-kicking success rate.
Replacing West is 28-year-old Daniel Bowden, fresh from a four-year stint in the UK, and Kirwan is gambling on him to guide the fortunes of the Blues backline.
Meanwhile Lolagi Visinia, who has started four games at fullback, makes the change to centre to accommodate one of Super Rugby’s most exciting players, All Black speedster Charles Piutau, who returns to his customary position. George Moala also comes in at centre to provide some strike power.
While the Blues pack performed reasonably well in their encounters to date, they will be hard pressed to contain the might of an on-song Waratahs pack.
Skipper and All Black Jerome Kaino returns from concussion at No.8, with Steven Luatua moving to the blindside flank and Luke Braid to the reserves bench. At lock, Hayden Triggs replaces the injured Josh Bekhuis.
Kirwan is under enormous pressure, and if the latest changes do not produce a result it is difficult to anticipate him retaining the head coaching role.
The Blues have the capacity to rip open defences and it is this area the Waratahs will be seeking to contain.
But coaches who constantly move players in and out of positions rarely have consistent success. It is for this reason my money is on the Waratahs to win.
Justthetip
Guest
It's easy to do if it's the best thing for the wallabies. Seems a few Tahs fans aren't sold on Foley being starting fly half either which is good. Not that he's a bad player I just don't think he's what we need. Let the goodwill and healing juices flow before the World Cup.
Mike
Guest
Well, tonight we sort of fumbled around, and then eventually we just sat on the blues. Not exactly the way the 800 pound gorilla (ie last seasons winner) is supposed to win matches but it's all we've got. Blues must be dirty on thsrlves for letting that get away, and Tahs really need to clean that butter off their fingers.
Not Bothered
Guest
Wasted on the wing? Why do people say this? Wing is not a nothing position where players are wasted. Players turn matches from the wing all the time and players like Savea, North, Habana are not wasted on the wing.
RobC
Roar Guru
Thought the Tahs had right it after a couple scrums. Brumbies were pushing when the Tahs were hooking, and disrupted their cycle. But then Tahs decided to push on their feed instead, and overwhelmed the Brumbies. It helps with your 140keg lock has started to transfer his weight into power. Brumbies snagged Paddy when he first came on. But he adjusted, and Tahs scrum was solid after.
RobC
Roar Guru
Thanks Chris. The opportunity for improvement for Blues are the halves. Not just in directing the backline, but also the managing partnership with the pack.
Magic Sponge
Guest
Chris cant blame you for jumping ship and supporting the tahs. It is great qlders are coming around that Skelton should be a must wallaby when he has destroyed carter and Horwill is all at sea.
Sam Taulelei
Roar Guru
Heh, heh it's Wgtn College but not my blazer or prefect badge.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
I thought the scrums were pretty even actually, the Tahs were shaky on a few of them. Anyway the Tahs must absolutely back up last weekends performance with a win tonight.
ben
Guest
Isnt that your wgtn coll blazer and jersey...and prefects badge?
Bunyip
Guest
EJ. Why do you say that?. I have seen good hands good passes and good offloads.
Sam Taulelei
Roar Guru
Or Poitgeiter's tendency to tackle with no arms, when he's looking to put in a big hit. Was amazed that neither Hooper or Poitgeiter were cautioned against the Highlanders after consecutive shots on Elliot Dixon that didn't involve arms that led to the try scored by Ben Smith.
Sam Taulelei
Roar Guru
Thanks Akari, there are many long term posters like myself with "Guru" status on the Roar that aren't visible, it's only because I've finally created a profile photo that you can see it.
Darwin Stubbie
Guest
Further on Skelton how long before the refs start to act on him attacking the head at ruck and maul time ...
Akari
Roar Rookie
Spot on, ST. I notice this year that Patrick T has been quite poor when carrying the ball and has been quite easy to tackle or stop in his tracks. He is not the only one of course but the coach has yet to rectify this. I also notice that no adverse comment has been made about Skelton's poor scrummaging since last week. Is this an indication that the critics have their beer goggles on or have I missed improvements in his scrum? I've tipped an upset in the hope that Patrick T has fixed his deficiencies before or as the game progresses tonight. On the basis of their ABs credentials, the Blues should hold their own in the scrums if not dominate if Skelton's weak points in the scrum haven't been rectified.
Akari
Roar Rookie
Great to see your promotion, ST, and quite rightly as your rugby observations and analysis have been well considered and spot on IMHO.
Sam Taulelei
Roar Guru
Agree with your scrum observations Jez, thought it was an excellent contest all round, some quality scrummaging from both packs.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Good comment ST. Whilst no doubt an over-used term, this week is certainly "make or break" for the Tahs, to see if they can back up one good performance with another. It could set the tone for the rest of the year. Same can be said of the Blues who could kick start their season with a win. Packs well matched, exciting backs on both sides, should be an exciting encounter!
Sam Taulelei
Roar Guru
Chris "While the Blues pack performed reasonably well in their encounters to date, they will be hard pressed to contain the might of an on-song Waratahs pack." There are two differences between the Waratahs and Blues performances to date: 1) the Tahs have wins against their name 2) the Tahs have played ONE game this season where they delivered a quality performance that is expected of them. Up until last week, the Waratahs pack (same players as the week before against the Highlanders) had performed adequately to reasonably. Or have the events of last weekend revised this season's history? Despite the team's position on the ladder, the Blues problems has not been with their forward pack. Their individual and collective performances have been a standout (apart from Ihaia West's accurate goal kicking). The Blues are one of the few packs that can match the Waratahs for power and hard running (even if the Tahs are on song) and will have pleasant memories of last season's encounter when after a slow start the Blues grew into the match and got on top of the Tahs forwards. It was this match last season that announced Patrick Tuipulotu's arrival on the NZ scene as more than just a promising player with potential with how he played against Skelton. Of all the teams in the bottom six, the Blues have conceded the fewest points and rank second to the Lions for points scored only by virtue of the fact the Lions have already played this weekend. Mentally the Tahs were up for it last week and it was the only time they have been so far this season, we'll know after tonight if they have truly awakened or still hibernating.
Terry Kidd
Guest
Last week Chris I thought the Brumbies and Tahs came out about equal in the scrum battle. It was the Tahs brutal defence that stopped the Brumbies cold. Time and again the Brumbies not only didn't make the advantage line but they were force back and yielded ground.
Terry Kidd
Guest
and he finds it hard to change direction quickly and adjust in defence ..... he is like the Queen Mary turning in a car park