The Waratahs and Chiefs will duke it out in a top of the conferences battle tonight, with the Tahs’ finals hopes on the line. Follow all the thrilling live highlights and action from 7:40pm (AEST) on The Roar.
The Waratahs are just a single point above the Brumbies in the Australian conference while the Chiefs similarly sit just a solitary point above the Crusaders in the New Zealand standings.
With such a dominance over the competition by the Kiwis this year, the chances of a second Australian team picking up a wildcard entry to the finals is all but gone, meaning top spot in the Aussie conference will be the only ticket through.
Coming off a loss to the Crusaders last week in Christchurch, the Waratahs are sitting dangerously on the edge of the finals equation, and with a tough draw in the final weeks, are at risk of slipping off and letting the Brumbies slide through.
The Chiefs, on the other hand, have been the form side of the competition this year, leading a dominant New Zealand conference for the majority of the season.
With the ever-present Crusaders nipping at their heels though, the Hamilton outfit will be looking to cement their top spot with a show of force on the road.
Surprisingly, the Waratahs have won five of their last six against the Chiefs, and hold a seven wins to two losses record when playing at home.
The Chiefs can take solace in being the only team undefeated on the road this year though, winning all five games away from home.
Sticking with the stats, the Chiefs have proven all year their attacking prowess, sitting top of the table for tries (nearly five per game) and points for the season. However, they are also in the top four for conceding the most turnovers.
Team news
Rob Horne will run on for his 100th Super Rugby cap tonight for the Waratahs, shuffling into inside centre as one of a few changes made my coach Daryl Gibson.
Former Hurricane, Crusader and All Black Zac Guildford has been moved into the starting XV after a solid performance off the bench last week against his old side. He’ll bump Reece Robinson out of a run-on spot.
Wycliff Palu will slot into Number 8 after a shoulder injury (or re-injury, to be correct) to Jed Holloway ruled him out.
Matt Carraro jumps on the right wing to compensate for the aforementioned Horne movement, while Jack Dempsey comes back into the squad after a shoulder injury of his own, sitting in the reserves.
For the Chiefs, coach Dave Rennie has been fortunate enough to have a great unit to work with all year, and his only change for this week has been forced by injury.
27-year old Michael Leitch has been ruled out for up to three months with a dislocated thumb that required surgery. Tom Sanders have been called in as a replacement.
Prediction
It’s a mouthwatering clash this one, with two teams on top of their conferences and a very nervous encounter for the Waratahs fans who know a slip-up could be season-ending.
Although the Chiefs have had a rough time against the Waratahs in recent years, the men in blue have been far too inconsistent for my liking this season, and a rampaging Chiefs side could be too much for them
Chiefs by 8.
Can the Waratahs knock off the competition favourites and breakaway from the Brumbies breathing down their neck? Or will the Chiefs continue their record on the road with an emphatic win? Catch all the live highlights and action on The Roar from 7:40pm (AEST).
Dopplerman
Guest
I don't know any chiefs fans who are happy or thought their scrum and forwards had a good game their defensive shape fell apart in the second half and they really missed leitch at the back .We've all seen how the chiefs play well and Saturday was not one of those days .....and yeah the chiefs CAN score 4 tries on a bad day.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
It was McKenzie. The smallest bloke on the field and possibly in super rugby.
Jack
Guest
? Oh how clever is you Tonguer. Type some garbage on an opinion site and then wander back over with a cut and paste dictionary posting. Lame (Not) /s
Jcr
Guest
A team got outplayed for a few reasons , you appear to by a pretty balanced commentator/observer , why let yourself down ?
Jcr
Guest
So is there set lines and numbers for all players or is it simply the fact that he read play better than you ? Loved it , end of the day you have to be angry about how you play . Yarned to Charlie Upham a few times and his view was just take it to them and he did . The tahs did as well. Thought the ref was good and applied logic rather than rules occasionally.
taylorman
Roar Guru
No it used to be quite a topic on these boards that the rugby wasn't getting the numbers they'd like in Sydney. Guess that's no longer a problem then. All good.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Aaron Smith sprayed his first few passes as well, but he got better.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Ha ha, even better. An intellect, and one with a dictionary. Huuuuge apologies. ?
Tonguer Maxillam
Guest
sarcasm ˈsɑːkaz(ə)m/ noun the use of irony to mock or convey contempt. synonyms: derision, mockery, ridicule, satire, irony, scorn, sneering, scoffing, gibing, taunting; More
ThugbyFan
Guest
This is true TM, it was belting down and tbh, I've never seen TJ.Perenara spray so many before. He usually is like a jack-in-the-box in his play and passes reasonably well. I was more trying to point out how everyone bags the hell out of N.Phipps when his passing is astray (while his forwards are being belted and some are like Easter statues) yet no-one will have a go at other established players when they have an off game. The fact that heavy rain is used to excuse TJP's poor passing could have also been used to explain Phipps' weak passing in the game in Christchurch the week before (apart from his forwards in reverse gear). Instead some jumped on Phipps and blamed him for the Crusaders loss. Even worse they then promote some bloke who has played about 3-4 games of SR in his life to take N.Phipps' WB jumper. Honestly, I dunno why I bother reading their posts. LoL In my post above, I forgot Aaron Cruden. I thought he was great last night and surely played his way into the AB #10 jumper. His only downside was he missed a couple of place kicks. Brodie Retallick was also a menace all night but then when isn't he?
John R
Roar Guru
What's your issue with folks expressing their happiness?
John R
Roar Guru
Think your population numbers are a bit outdated. But the point stands none the less. Rugby is more popular in New Zealand than it is in Australia. Stop the presses. Breaking news over here.
Lano
Roar Guru
Mate I'm not being critical of him at all just a question of stats.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Thanks cynical, so you're advocating a poll of the Chiefs players, coaching side and fans would result in an agreement that the Chiefs, as leading the tournament and favourite pre game, would agree the Chiefs played well second half? And you're discussing credibility here?
taylorman
Roar Guru
Oh I think we understand it, we get it with every other sport so we're actually very good at getting over excited. Good points though Oz. this match has certainly brought back some spice into this comp. Good news for Gibson as well who has got some mini flack over his report card so far.
John
Guest
Forgot about you Goldie!!! Hahaha.
Oz Rugby fan
Guest
I cant agree with that. I thought that the Chiefs were what I expected in the first half, the Tahs were much better than I expected! The closeness of the score at 17 > 13 with the Tahs taking the first half tends to suggest that the Tahs were not poor, you could argue that about the Izzy Intercept but I thought that was a good read, one of the Chiefs tries being really shouldn't have been as Phipps should have dealt with that ball, it was right in front of me and was a pretty basic error. That's Rugby though. The Tahs try before half time was excellent and seemed to build the basis for their dominant second half. I expect some folks will get really excited about this win and go over the top, I wont but some will. Although some of those excitable posts will just be trolls... I don't think our Kiwi brothers will ever understand why Aussie Rugby fans get so excited over these kind of wins, they are used to winning pretty much everything, all the time. Whereas for Aussies its a big occasion to top teams like the Chiefs (especially this year with the state of the Aussie conference), let alone those very rare occasions the Wallabies win over the All Blacks. It does truly excite the Aussie fan and makes you feel good for the rest of the week. Probably the same for the players actually...
PeterK
Roar Guru
tahs went to the break leading so they could not have been that poor.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
What's the difference between 13 and 15 in attack? My understanding (which most will likely agree with) is that 13 attacks outside 12 and inside the wing. From my experience the 15 roves more and their lines depend on team make up. I just think you want Folau having the freedom to pop up anywhere in the backline. To me it seems like 15 is the best spot, as it allows him to pop up anywhere, as opposed to 13 which limits his position. Which is why I see it as he's wearing 13, playing 15 with Kellaway wearing 15 but playing wing and Carrarro wearing 11 but playing 13. But because he's wearing 13 people just seem to think Izzy is doing something completely different when he's popping up in the right spots to take opportunities... Just like he's always done. Well except the RWC when he was carrying injury and there weren't many opportunities to take anyway.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
No I was out having dinner and watched the NZ derby then the first half and had to leave at half time.