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.
Zero Gain
Guest
Yep, I would agree (sorry about that). And Chiefs must be odds on to win the whole thing. Quite surprised how the Landers and Canes have moved down the apparent Kiwi pecking order. From an Australian point of view, the Brumbies could upset the apple cart if they can make any knockout game a good old fashioned slug fest. Slow it down, lots of niggle, disrupt the breakdown. Chiefs give away a lot of penalties in their own Red zone when under pressure early in a match. I think teams must break the golden rule and go for the try early to stand any chance.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Yes Crusaders are reinventing themselves again, using that horrible old cliche but they don't even rely on Nadolo so much which is a good sign for them. Mo'unga and McNicol are also adding to the Dagg, Crotty show so with a formidable pack the Saders are once again looking like championship material. I'd say it's Chiefs, Saders at the mo with Canes..just, and Highlanders...that order for the NZ conference.
ethan
Guest
No Pocock and Vaea will hurt them. Crusaders pack should get on top, and with Dagg and Crotty back they've got plenty of firepower in the backs to finish off.
Old Bugger
Guest
I've never been a Briant fan cos sometimes, I suggest, he's a sandwich short of a picnic lunch upstairs and last night, was no different. Can someone explain why he allowed Phipps to follow the ball in the scrum and harass Cubelli and Smiler....all night IMO. I thought the rule is HB's must remain on their side of the front-row or behind their own No8's feet??? Oh, I know now - he's not only a sandwich short but, he forgot to lift the blinkers he wears......that explains why he never saw Phipps going down the side of the Brums scrum, all night. That was a tough old game and Gibson must be frustrated as hell about that performance......to win most of the stats except the important stat, will frustrate anyone.
Bakkies
Guest
No it's more to do with offering a limited amount of ARU contracts to the players. Often these contracts have been offered to players with pathetic attitudes.
Loup
Guest
Briant, good-bye.
frisky
Guest
Bye bye Briant.
frisky
Guest
The ref’s bizarre call when teh Brumbies scrum was heading towards a push-over may have cost the Brumbies a bonus-point. It gifted the Waratahs a bonus point as well. I am looking forward to the referees assessment. The Foxtel commentators were scratching their heads as well over this call.
Jono
Guest
A bit unsure of the Brumbies. Look the best Aussie side by a bit, but next week I can't see them doing Australian rugby any favours against a storming Crusaders outfit. Plus I think they haven't beat the Saders in a couple of years either. Though a weeks a long time in sport, so shouldn't start counting any chickens just yet. Anyway, good to see the team get a win, especially after what happened in their last game.
frisky
Guest
Was that the worst referees call that I have seen in my life. The Brumbies try- moving forward - either a push-over try or a penalty try coming up, and teh ref called use it , then use it or lose it. It static for a moment with the first call, but moving forward at the second call , and galloping forward when the ref blew the whistle for a penalty for the retreating defending side!!! What rule am I missing? Will he referee again this season? Or back to kindergarden?
grapeseed
Guest
Good to see there's a cop on the beat tonight. I think someone misspelled a name below, you'd better sort it out, Constable.
Charles Plowdog
Guest
And Tomane is off to France. Most tries for an Australian winger in 2015 and very consistent and strong but apparently not good enough to play in some important World Cup games: it seemed better to play a winger who was plying his trade in France. No wonder he is leaving. The downside of this policy of picking some who play overseas to the detriment of those playing in Super Rugby. And I saw an article today imploring the selectors to select Giteau for the England tests. What's the long term gain in that?
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
HT, it was anyone's game to 'win' or to 'lose'. I thought the second half just 'drifted a little. But you are right the game v Rebs was a shocker (apart from costing me!!)
Rebel
Guest
Yes some other f00l did, sonething to do with fruit.
Steve
Guest
couple of really embarrassing calls there. The 'use it' call when the ball was still under the second row was unfathomable - I really suspect the ref was trying to avoid having to give a penalty try there. The knock-on in the last few minutes by the Tahs in their own 22 was another one which I struggle to understand.
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
Haha! ... will try to have a little kip first ... err do I need to subscribe to Machooka Enterprises?
Loup
Guest
He's a great backline coach. The Tahs backline is looking fantastic.
John Galloway
Guest
Hi, I am disturbed by the ref's "use it or lose it" tonight in the 2nd half of the Brumbies vs Waratahs game. What on earth was the infringement?????????? Nothing wrong as far as I could see. Scrum was moving forward, no rpoblem. I would be grateful if you can shed some light on this? Dig out details? The ref must be accountable. Thank you guys, keep up the good work, John
Harry Jones
Expert
To me, the lack of punch across the gainline and the lack of ball security after weak runs by the big Tah ball carriers was the difference, after we note the terrible set piece skills of the Tahs. The only Tahs who ALWAYS ran with conviction into the tackle were Beale, Foley, Hooper, and Kellaway. Add all of those guys together and you have Will's weight, or Mumm + Folau; and those big runners were tentative.
grapeseed
Guest
Sorry, did someone else make the same comment? I guess that's to be expected when something's factually true, like Jones' single handed destruction of dynamism in Australian rugby 10 years ago.