Israel Folau’s keenly-watched return to action this week may well coincide with the end of Australia’s embarrassing Super Rugby drought against New Zealand teams.
Wallabies ace Folau is expected to play for the first time since airing his controversial religious beliefs about homosexuality on social media when the NSW Waratahs face the Blues on Saturday.
The Brumbies’ 21-8 home loss to the Crusaders on Saturday made it 36-straight wins for Kiwi teams against Australian sides.
If that streak is to be broken it must surely be when the Tahs host the hapless and injury-ravaged Blues at the suburban Brookvale Oval.
The Blues’ record against their four New Zealand conference rivals is so bad that the joke goes they should be relegated to the Australian conference.
Coach Tama Umaga’s team have gone two seasons – 15 derby games in all – without defeating a Kiwi rival and had injured superstar Sonny Bill Williams (wrist) among 17 players not available through injury last week.
They have a 2-7 record this season, having become the first NZ team to suffer a home loss to Argentina’s Jaguares, while the Waratahs have been the pick of the Australian teams.
NSW, who will be rested after a bye, were the last team to defeat a Trans-Tasman rival, in May 2016, when they smashed the Chiefs.
While the Kiwi hoodoo remains, the Queensland Reds pulled off an almighty upset by beating the Lions to keep their season alive.
Queensland led 24-0 at halftime against last year’s finalists and received a standing ovation from the Suncorp Stadium crowd.
The South African conference leaders bounced back to give Reds a fright before the hosts hung on to claim a 27-22 victory.
“We’re not an 80-minute team yet … ” Thorn said.
“It was just good seeing them turn up and play.”
The fourth win of their campaign lifted the Reds to 17 points and above the Brumbies on the Australian conference table – with both sides having a bye next week.
The Brumbies had their chances at home but failed to take advantage of the Crusaders being two men down for eight minutesin a 21-8 loss.
The competition-leading Crusaders scored all their points in a 15-minute period midway through the first half, after Henry Speight opened the scoring first for the Brumbies.
“The learning for us is the effort, intensity and attitude isn’t always going to win you games,” Brumbies coach Dan McKellar said.
Disciplinary issues cost the Melbourne Rebels in their 34-18 loss against the Stormers in Cape Town as they slumped to a fourth-straight loss.
“It’s been a perpetual problem right through the whole season,” a frustrated Rebels coach Dave Wessels said.
“And it’s not skill errors…it’s just lazy stuff like not getting back onside.”
Their discipline will be tested again when they host the top of the standings Crusaders at AAMI Park on Friday, although they will be boosted by the availability of star halfback Will Genia.
The Rebels are three points adrift of Australian conference leaders NSW, who have a game in hand.
Redsfan1
Guest
The Reds will beat the Blues in Auckland.
Atlas
Roar Rookie
Unnecessary pressure ... self-inflicted at times, today's Waratahs news starts with the old joke ... "An Australian walks in to a bar..." featuring some of the team including Hooper described as "really blind" and Nick Phipps urinating on the bar. Classy. Publicity like this not the ideal build-up for a rugby match I'd have thought. But it's a distraction from Folau. "Udder disgrace" ! More bring back Cooper stories required.
ThugbyFan
Guest
What drives me insane is this unnecessary pressure being put on the Tahs players, mainly by media folks, that this game against the Blues is the saviour of Aussie rugby, the great turning point that will be spoken of in hushed tones for many years to come. Its not, its just another SR game where the Tahs are favourites for a change. Get away from that and the players lose focus. With all this expectation pushed on them, if the Blues do sneak a win I suspect the Tahs' players will lose their spirit and the season go south like at the end of last year. I expect the Tahs to win on the basis that (a) for 35 minutes of the 1st half they played all over the Lions but bombed 3-4 tries (though they lost the plot in the 2nd half) and (b) the droppsy winger A.Newsome will be replaced by Izzy Folau who not only presents as a bigger attack danger but has quite good hands. If they don't win, am not going to cut my throat, just wear earmuffs for a week to drown out gloating kiwis shouting 38 - 0 at me. :)
ThugbyFan
Guest
Am sure that I read recently the local NRL club Manly, which plays home at Brookvale Oval, have been complaining like hell that the surface is dangerous. The other point is a lot of Auckland followers don't live within cooee of Manly, a horrible place to get to, even with a car. It's the kiwi diaspora which boosts the crowds at SR in Sydney. I predict a crowd of 8000, maybe even less. What were the NSWRU/Tahs thinking? Can't understand why they are not at the boutique North Sydney oval, which at least is close to a train station, with lots of pubs and restaurants nearby. Admittedly parking a car is worse at North Sydney but not impossible if you are willing to walk a half km.
Cuw
Guest
they (BLUES ) have big problems !!!! and its not just the injuries DUH read this : " Tana Umaga still up for Blues challenge http://www.planetrugby.com/news/tana-umaga-still-up-for-blues-challenge/ "
Dave from Mt Druitt
Guest
If the Tahs don't beat the Blues this weekend they might as well forfeit the rest of the games and go on their end of year trip now.
Gavin
Guest
The truth hurts! Our teams are pitiful.
LifestyleSpecialist
Roar Rookie
If Aussie sides can't beat the Blues when they have something like 18+ of the squad out injured (seriously!) then there is no hope. Jags only just managed it so I'm not holding my breath.
AndyS
Guest
Sure it will, two of the same sex of every species and he will be a social hero... ;)
Taylorman
Guest
Ark building?
Rhys Bosley
Guest
I saw what you did there!
Rhys Bosley
Guest
Yes we should stop making fun of Izzy, Steve, but others should acknowledge that he is not the Messiah. He is just a very naughty boy.
Machooka
Roar Guru
He is omnipresent... a bit like god. He'll pop-in when it suits... otherwise he's still there yeah. Ands as the REDs had a win against the Lions he will be breaking bread with one of their staunchest supporters. So it is written...
Bfc
Guest
The return of Izzy (wasn't 3 days though...) alone won't be enough....The TAHs have to get better all over the park. But...if the TAHs don't beat the Blues it does not bode well for the rest of the season... You referred to the 'streak'..jeez, is that like the infamous Cubs streak...?
cuw
Guest
" The Blues have no credibility left in the tank and been the premier team from NZ’s premier city it is hard to understand their ongoing cheerless performances. " Blues have no players left to choose from. When u have 18 injured and out from a squad of 35 - the coach cannot make changes even if he wanted to. but in case u did not know - Auckland the main contributor to Blues just managed to hang on to the Miter 10 first tier ( thanks in part to other results ) this season , while Waikato were relegated to 2nd tier..
Malo
Guest
We can’t beat the Nez teams, next year we won’t be able to beat SA teams and 3 years later if SR is still going we will be stoked to beat the sunwolves . RA it is probably too late , well done for your inactivity and not supporting grassroots but yeah pay QC, Folau and Hooper multi millions. 67 million in so called SR PROFESSIONALS .It’s working a treat .
RobC
Roar Guru
moaman, Im meeting him tonight. Mexican food :D
Worlds Biggest
Guest
The drought has to be broken eventually you would think, this weekend would be a good time for it to happen. That said would not be tipping the Tahs with much confidence even if Izzy is back. How will they respond after the awful outing last weekend. That 10 minute spell by the Brumbies with a two man advantage was painful to watch. The lack of smarts / game management defied belief. Great win by the Reds, well done. The Rebels seem to have reverted back to type, very disappointing given they have a decent squad.
moaman
Guest
Where IS Tragic these days?
Playerfromwaybk
Roar Rookie
Aussie teams need only target the Blues to break the drought in 2018. Congratulations to the Jaguars on the win in the weekend, it was great game to watch.