Good evening and welcome to tonight’s live coverage of this Round 7 clash with the Waratahs hosting the Blues from Allianz Stadium in Sydney. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 7:40pm AEDT.
An important game for both teams tonight as the Waratahs look to continue to build on their momentum after an impressive win over the Brumbies and the Blues looking to secure their first win for 2015 and keeping their slim playoff hopes alive.
The defending title holders, the Waratahs have had an indifferent start to the 2015 season but sprung back into life last weekend against their bitter rivals from Canberra.
Back in their game was the fluidity and cohesion, the unforced errors minimised and led by some sterling performances up front, they rediscovered their physicality, dominating their more fancied opponents in the collisions. They looked the part as defending Champions and stamped a warning to the competition that they will not relinquish their title easily.
The Blues are coming off the bye and have had a miserable start to the season, losing all five of their previous matches. Gone is Ihiaia West from the starting side with Dan Bowden handed the reins at 10 to try and spark this talented yet misfiring backline.
Jimmy Cowans leadership and experience will be vital to the Blues’ chances and needs to gel quickly with Bowden to provide the direction the Blues need in the halves, particularly up against Nick Phipps and Bernard Foley, the incumbent Wallaby duo.
The Blues certainly do have a pack capable of footing it physically with the Waratahs impressive eight and will hold no fear of their opposites. The Blues pack has performed reasonably this year and another strong performance will be required against a large and physical Waratahs pack.
The Blues will need to work hard on their first up tackles and also compete hard at the breakdown to try and disrupt the Waratahs rhythm, if the Waratahs are allowed onto the front foot too easily it will be a long night for the Blues with the likes of Israel Folau too great a threat. If they can prove disruptive, the Blues certainly have enough firepower of their own to cause the Waratahs plenty of problems.
Join us as we cover all of the action live and don’t forget to leave your thoughts on the match below.
Tip: Waratahs
taylorman
Roar Guru
Thanks Digger...a very 'similar' feeling match to all their others. The Blues season so far is one of the strangest I've seen from a sxv side where every single match is more than winnable. This one has probably been their biggest loss, but even then was still winnable for 3/4 of the match. Sanity returns with the cricket tomorrow hopefully. well done Tahs...seasons well on track again...
AndyS
Guest
I'm inclined to agree pjm. There has been a really noticeable trend towards players nominally using arms in the tackle, but really just swinging from the shoulder to add impetus to what is actually no more than a shoulder charge. If a player is actually looking to grab the player, the arm would be bent to wrap around and absorb the impact. Kaino's arm as an example barely bent even after contact.
harry
Guest
That was a horrid obvious forward pass shocking reffing worst forward pass of the year
Rugby Tragic
Guest
Yep good typo huh.. but you get the drift! Never rated him last year at all but last couple of games have had to sit up and take notice.
DMac
Guest
So the mirror image of the first half then?
PeterK
Roar Guru
karma anyway. Tahs were on a warning for 2 ruck penalties 20 mins apart. The blues diid 5 in a row in their red zone, no warning, then do a few more. Some very cynical so no tear from me for a soft yellow.
Wii
Guest
They do not play all their games in Auckland Katipo, the Blues represent the entire far North and Auxkland, the City monkeys were dropped nearly a decade ago. As for the jersey they were playing in their away strip which every team does when it can possibly clash with the home team.
pjm
Roar Rookie
I don't mind the card for Kaino. I'm sick of players leading with the head and causing head clashes. Not much difference between and elbow and a skull, why allow one and not the other.
Rugby Tragic
Guest
I hate it............. but reluctantly have to agree ......... but, but.. but there is always NEXT YEAR!
Rugby Tragic
Guest
What a couple of troopers!
Common Sense
Roar Rookie
Well, it looks like my pre season prediction of the Blues having a worse year than 2012 is well on track.
Katipo
Guest
@Wii. Because the play all their home games in Auckland and it helps the TV audience understand where the team comes from. Why do they call themselves Blues and wear white?
Rugby Tragic
Guest
Cowan is not the player he was for sure but Bryn Hall is still injured so we do not know if he is going to improve on his ITM form. Gibson-Park was OK but we seem to suffer with combinations HB and 1st Five. Bowden too earned a pass but only a pass, there is plenty of strike power in the Blues backline but just not clicking and I think that starts with the halfs... The back 3 always seem to have to make their own opportunities, nothing seemed structured towards them..... Oh well, there is always next year!
Digby
Roar Guru
The Waratahs secure the win this evening to continue their momentum while the Blues are still left winless for the 2015 season. The Waratahs will not be overly happ with their performance with a number of unforced errors permeating their performance but for the most part they controlled possession and territory and eventually pulled ahead of their opponents. The Blues showed some much needed desperation, particularly on defence but all too often found themselves trying to play too much football at the wrong end of the park and the decision making again let them down and with a trip to Hamilton due next week there is no respite on offer for the beleagured franchise. Thank you for joining in tonight and remember that there will be blogs this morning of the Sharks and the Force being run by Rob and I will be back for the Bulls and Crusaders to wrap up this round of Super Rugby beofre the big Cricket match tomorrow, have a good night.
Tatah
Guest
'Waratahs always profit from the refs its horrible'. No champ, they most certainly do not. Hopefully however we're learning to, ah, 'manage' a game like some of your AIGs.
Digby
Roar Guru
Cheers RT,
John
Guest
People who still think the blues are a good team are completely out of their minds.
Johnno
Guest
What common sense a 0 win-6 loss record is fine by you not to sack a coach.
Baiden
Guest
Penalty count 12-2 in the 2nd half with the 2 Blues penalties being awarded in the final 4 minutes.
bluetooth
Guest
Along with Jimmy cowan