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Can the Waratahs salvage their season?

Israel Folau. (AAP Image/Dean Lewins)
Roar Rookie
2nd April, 2016
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This week the New South Wales Waratahs face the Melbourne Rebels at Allianz Stadium on Sunday. The Rebels are coming off a defeat from the defending champions the Highlanders.

Like all games in Super Rugby, it doesn’t come down to whom you play in the other conferences but whom you play in your own conference. In this case that means the Australian conference.

“I think all the Australian conference games carries a little bit extra because of the nature of the way the finals system is structured,” Nic Stirzaker said at a press conference.

The Melbourne Rebels are second on the Australian conference ladder with a win-loss record of 3-2. The Waratahs have a 2-2 record, with both wins coming against the lacklustre Queensland Reds.

Stirzaker went on to say, “I think it’s a big game for us not only within the Australian conference but where we are at with our win-loss record in this season, but our main focus is bouncing back from last week and playing our best football and we know we can win”.

As for the Waratahs, they are back at home after an away trip to Queensland and they will be facing a stern test against a motivated Melbourne Rebels team.

This season has not gone down the way the team that won the 2014 Super Rugby championship wanted.

“Yeah I guess a little bit patchy but they have had a number of results under their belt and they are a quality side with a lot of Test players a lot of experience, and back at home I’m sure they are looking to get a strong performance and for us we’re just looking forward to sort of bouncing back from last weekend,” Stirzaker said.

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The Melbourne Rebels are second on the Australian conference, with the Waratahs not too far behind in third place. The Rebels are three points ahead of the Waratahs so it will be a fiery encounter.

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