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It was certainly a game of quarters between these two sides. The Brumbies took control of the early goings and created real headaches around the edges, Joe Tomane crossed twice in the first 16 minutes and it looked as though the Tahs were in for a long night.
REPORT: BUMBIES DEAL WARATAHS A BLOW
The home side hit back though in the second 20, finding their feet and settling into the game. A Folau try and Foley penalty goal briefly had the New South Welshmen in the lead coming into the half time break.
The second half followed a near identical formula, with a strong Brumbies coming shooting out of the gate to not only retake the lead, but extend it to what seemed a plentiful margin.
The game was to take another turn though through a late game surge from the Waratahs. The Brumbies struggled with discipline in the final ten minutes and sloppy mistakes invited the opposition back into the game.
The visitors held on in the end though and got home by 6 to move up to third in the overall standings. Waratahs on the other hand are slipping deeper into trouble.
Final score
Waratahs 20
Brumbies 26
A revamped Waratahs side will be looking to get their season back on track tonight, taking on Australian conference leaders the Brumbies at home. Join The Roar for all the action coming out of Allainz stadium from 7:45pm (AEST).
The Brumbies are sitting pretty on top of the Australian mountain coming into their second fixture with the Waratahs inside the opening eight rounds, having already beaten their neighbours in Round 2.
Despite their position in the standings, the men from the ACT are coming back from the bye and a thumping from the Chiefs, letting in 48 points against the competition favourites in front of their home crowd.
Not to be outdone though, the Waratahs will be running onto the park tonight in even worse form, piecing together two of the scrappiest and error-filled games of rugby you’re likely to see, taking home a win and a loss against the Reds and Rebels respectively before being gifted the bye for last week.
Although their ladder position and ice cold form would suggest otherwise, the Waratahs have good reason to be confident playing at home against their rivals. The Brumbies have won only two games out of 15 trips to Sydney against the New South Welshmen.
The big news during the week for not only the Brumbies but all of Super Rugby, has been the shock announcement of Ita Vaea’s immediate retirement from the game. The Tongan born 27-year old was forced to make the decision due to a devastating heart condition.
The Vaea retirement is one of two forced changes Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham has had to make for this week, with David Pocock copping a two-week suspension for a neck grab during the aforementioned loss to the Chiefs.
Jarrad Butler will slot into the vacant openside flanker spot and Jordan Smiler will replace Vaea at No.8.
For the Waratahs, the big news has been the switch from fullback to outside centre for Israel Folau, the first time the former NRL player will take that position since making the code switch.
Folau will join Kurtley Beale to make up the centre pairing while young gun Andrew Kellaway will run on at fullback in just his second Super Rugby cap.
Zac Guildford has been ruled out with a broken leg, the former New Zealand winger will be replaced by Matt Carraro on the left wing.
Tom Robertson will make his run on debut at tighthead prop at the expense of Angus Ta’avao who has been pushed back to the bench. After being dropped to club rugby early in the season, Will Skelton has made his way back into the starting XV at No.8.
Prediction
Both sides have had a rough few couple of weeks and will be a little rusty after not having a game in Round 7. The Brumbies are certainly looking the stronger of the two sides in the early goings this season but the Waratahs will be a tough task away from home for them.
Waratahs to win by 6
Can the Waratahs kickstart their season with a big win at home? Or will the Brumbies continue their charge at the top of the leader board? Catch all the highlights and Super Rugby action from 7:45pm (AEST) on The Roar.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.