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.
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.
Muzzo
Guest
Well Tragic that certainly fell in a heap. As to say, in reference to a steeple chaser, we fell at the last fence. lol.
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
I'm with you Muzzo ... needed Tahs for a perfect round... RATS!
CUW
Guest
wrote this before the rebel match - now it seems i shud be asking if there is another coach under threat of the sack ?!?!?!?
PiratesRugby
Guest
You mean it goes on merit? I thought there was a quota of Tah players that had to get wallaby top ups...
Squirrel
Guest
With Foley back of course
CUW
Guest
Can the Waratahs salvage their season? isnt this a little (if not a lot) premature, when u consider the nsw team has played 4 and won 2??? its not like they are the farce or rubbish or pheasants or lambs (with a 5:1 record so far!) :D there is talent and quality in the squad and they can end up as the number two among auzzy teams - or even number one if the brumbies do not sort out their board room drama very soon ....
Muzzo
Guest
Yep Chook the Tah's had better win, as they will give me a clean sweep in the tipping. But truthfully, this is a game, that they need to win, & show some class about it. They've got the talent, so hopefully Gibbo, has them humming
CUW
Guest
u was silly to tip against the crusaders. maybe u did not watch them in their previous 2 matches ? brumbies - even i expected to beat the chiefs but think those board room dramas are taking its toll on players. some people think it will galvanize the team to play together; believe me it has the opposite effect and acts as a distraction that messes with their heads. only time a team is galvanized as a unit is when they are against "THE AUTHORITY" - best example is the west indians now playing in t20 finals. how many of u know that untill a couple of days to the deadline the team had not signed their contracts and that bravos brother refused to sign and that pollard withdrew citing injury ?? the team has rallied around bravo , who was dropped from the team and stripped of captaincy of 50 over squad after a contracts issue in india. gayle was dropped fro comments he made regarding the board.
Machooka
Roar Guru
Not saying Harry but... those 'Saders are the goods! Now whether they're the 'goods' for the NZ Conf Title... ummm, that's something different again?? But as Tragic has said sooo many times now, infact over and over again... 'I've picked the Chefs to win the whole thing right from the get go!!' And to be honest... I wasn't that surprised the Chefs did a number on da Brums. C'arn da Tahs... for me, for Harry, and for no doubt many, many others. Please!
Tony
Guest
"Who" you play.
RubberLegs
Guest
Sunday will reveal which Tah players deserve continuing Wallaby top-up payments.
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
*smugly smiling*
Harry Jones
Expert
The Waratahs need to salvage my tipping lead. The Lions and the Brumbies failed to defend their respective fortresses.