The Waratahs have recorded a remarkable victory at home this afternoon, smashing the Rebels 51-27 after trailing 20-3 at one stage in the first half.
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Final score
Waratahs 51
Rebels 27
The undefeated Melbourne Rebels will fancy their chances of upsetting a NSW Waratahs outfit coming off a poor defeat to the Jaguares last week. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match from 4pm AEDT.
The Rebels lead the Australian conference with 15 points and are currently undefeated. Still, one can’t help but feel that Melbourne needs to overcome tougher tests to prove that they are in fact the real deal this season.
This afternoon, Melbourne travels to Allianz Stadium to take on a Waratahs outfit kicking themselves after producing a poor performance en route to a 10 point defeat to the Jaguares.
After opening the season with a win and a draw, the Waratahs once again fell to bad habits last week, conceding five tries in the first half that effectively killed off the contest by the break.
When the Waratahs did attack last week, they produced some great offloading that should cause the Rebels significant issues this week, but only if they are prepared to knuckle down and engage in an arm wrestle.
In team news, Israel Folau has been moved to the wing as Waratahs coach Daryl Gibson makes major changes to his side to tackle the pacesetting Rebels in Sydney on Sunday.
The superstar Wallabies fullback will start on the left wing at Allianz Stadium, with Gibson forecasting a bombardment of crossfield kicks towards Folau to combat against the Rebels’ rush defence.
Journeyman utility Bryce Hegarty will start at fullback after impressing the NSW coaching staff this season, while Gibson has been forced to dig deep into his halfback stocks.
Jake Gordon has been ruled out with concussion and joins Nick Phipps on the sidelines, meaning a start for Mitch Short at No.9 and a spot on the bench for Mick Snowden.
The news is brighter up front, with Test prop Sekope Kepu named to make his first start of the season and lock Rob Simmons also returning after missing the 38-28 loss to the Jaguares in Buenos Aires.
Alex Newsome, Tom Staniforth and Paddy Ryan have been dropped to the bench as the Waratahs chase their second win of the season against the unbeaten men from Melbourne.
Meanwhile, Rebels coach Dave Wessels welcomes back captain Adam Coleman from sternum soreness as one of four changes to his 23 man squad.
Coleman’s return sees Ross Haylett-Petty shifted to the backrow and Angus Cottrell miss out while flying winger Marika Koroibete replaces fellow Wallaby Sefa Naivalu on the left flank.
Hooker Jordan Uelese is out with a minor hamstring injury, meaning a first Rebels start for Anaru Rangi and a potential debut for 19-year-old rake Mahe Vailanu.
Prediction
The Waratahs remain a frustrating enigma to watch. On their day they are brilliant. But the difference between their best and worst is massive and the Rebels possess the momentum required to upset NSW if the hosts are unable to aim up defensively like last week.
With that said, the battle between Will Genia and Bernard Foley in particular will likely dictate who wins today.
Waratahs by 7
Malo
Guest
He’d be in the all black 23.
Kirky
Roar Rookie
They win a game and they're immediate Super Final winners, jeezuz!
Kirky
Roar Rookie
Thomas English! You're right mate the Hierarchy should be well pleased with the crowd at the Tahs game as the last time they played there was 892 spectators and Saturday 970, a nice leap forward!
Kirky
Roar Rookie
If I was the Coach at the Tahs, Folau would be on the side of the scrum, or Number 8! ~ First time he's done much for a long time! Hooper at 2nd five eight!
Kirky
Roar Rookie
Good grief! one Blogger reckons Folau's the "best in the World under the high ball," and another reckons he's ''the best attacking player in the World"!!! ~ He's neither, not even close, not a bad player, but certainly not the best around by any means! If he's as you guys say, the best of the best in the World at all things rugby, he'd be better off in New Zealand with his Wife as she says she's not moving out of New Zealand ~ probably next Season perhaps! ~ He should get a game somewhere over there! It's amazing the glorification that abounds on Blog sites in Australia when one or two of their teams has a good win, ~ You always expect it!
Fionn
Guest
You're entitled to your opinion. I was just wondering why, in case you convinced me he was a better fullback.
Kirky
Roar Rookie
There'd be ten better players under the high ball than Folau, he's not bad but never the best around ~ he played well on the wing after watching the game on replay today, The Rebel Force scunged the Tahs' in the first half but the Tahs must've got a rocket from Gibson in the changeover because they were a different team!
Fionn
Guest
Not really. Did you watch him play the rest of the matches this season? This was by far his most dominant performance.
Fionn
Guest
He's done poorly for 2 seasons, it was a good match, but this was literally what the fans have said to do for years. It'll take consistent results like this for Gibson to rebuild his reputation. It was a very good start though.
rebel
Guest
Not bad for the worst coach in Aus aye.
rebel
Guest
you lost me at @
Cynical Play
Guest
What kind of fan bets against his team. The fluff kind. The woose. The kind that never really believes. The fair weather fan. The fickle fan. The white anter. Which are you PK with your bet on the Rebels?
John
Guest
Was it? Looked to be just another game where he did things others can’t. Happens often.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
He is the best player under the high ball in the game, I happen to like him at fullback as he will get more touches of the ball generally then on the wing. As a Tahs fan I prefer him at Fullback over Hegarty any day of the week. Now that still may not answer your question, I don’t know but it’s an opinion Fionn, that’s why the Roar is good value.
Fionn
Guest
I never said that.
Fionn
Guest
Not really, I still don't think he's a very good player in most other facets - but if continues kicking near 100% this season then that is a reason for him to play 10 so long as he isn't in horrendous form in the other aspects of his game.
Fionn
Guest
He does deserve credit for doing it. Definitely. Personally, I can't see why it took him over 2 full seasons to try it while we had the poor Folau at 13 experiment, but he did bring the perfect tactics. But the game only went well in the second half when there were more up and unders and TN was brought onto the other wing.
Fionn
Guest
Not really, your entire premise has been that he would be better at fullback than wing as he gets the ball more at fullback. This clearly wasn't the case as it was one of his best matches in forever, and it was due (as Kafer said) to the fact he was put in situations were he could attack more effectively more often than he can from fullback.
Fionn
Guest
That doesn't explain why he's better at fullback...
Cynical Play
Guest
PK only you would try and suggest the Tahs forwards were beaten. Old one eye. Watch it again. You just love taking the gloss of a win