NSW Waratahs coach Daryl Gibson won’t rest his Wallabies contingent until the last Super Rugby round in a gamble that could make or break their season.
The Waratahs kept their faint hopes of playing finals alive with a 20-15 win over the Rebels and they face the Australian conference-leading Brumbies next round before a trip to Invercargill to take on the Highlanders.
They will need to win both games and rely on other results going their way to make the top eight.
NSW still have to rest Sekope Kepu, Rob Simmons, Michael Hooper, Kurtley Beale and Bernard Foley for a match each this season as part of an agreement with Wallabies management.
Gibson revealed after the Rebels win he will keep his team at full strength for the Brumbies at BankWest Stadium, meaning they will have to sit out the Highlanders game even if it decides their finals hopes.
“I decided about six or seven weeks ago that given where we were in the competition, we were playing a short strategy in the fact that we needed to win games to stay alive,” Gibson said.
“So it was very clear – continue to try and rest people at different times or just go and win games.”
Gibson felt he owed it to his representative players to have them play in the Australian derbies as they vie for World Cup spots.
“I look at these games and I want to give the Australian players the chance to play against their peers – that’s important as there’s a lot at stake including competition points,” he said.
“It’s an opportunity for them to go against their rivals.
After the win over the Rebels they sit eighth overall and trail the Brumbies and Rebels by four points in the Australian conference.
If it came down to the wire Gibson could call Wallabies coach Michael Cheika and ask for a favour but that would not go down well with other Super Rugby clubs who have rested players throughout the year as part of the agreement.
The Rebels still have to rest Test halfback Will Genia, which they will likely do next week against the Crusaders.
“That’s up to them – we will certainly do our part,” Rebels coach Dave Wessels said after the game.
“We sat in a room and agreed something, once you agree something you do it.”
Paul D
Roar Rookie
I hope they don't rest them at home against the Brumbies. Last home game of thr season. But they must be rested against the Highlanders, whether there is still the chance of making the finals or not.
The Hulk
Guest
With Saracens playing their final game tomorrow, what's the bet Will Skelton will be parachute into the Tahs for at least one of the final two matches. Just putting it out there,but how good would that be?