The NSW Waratahs are seeking an elusive 80-minute performance as they strive desperately to keep their Super Rugby AU finals hopes flickering on Friday night.
The winless Waratahs head to Melbourne knowing it’s their last roll of the dice, with nothing less than victory over the Rebels required to stay in the title hunt.
It may seem pie-in-the-sky stuff for fans who witnessed NSW’s record-breaking losses to the Brumbies and Queensland Reds to open the season before becoming the first team to fall to the Western Force since the Perth franchise’s return to Super Rugby.
But winger Jack Maddocks, now arguably the Waratahs’ biggest name following the mass exodus of talent over the past two years, maintains making the playoffs remains “massively” in their sights.
“This is a huge game for us. If we win this, and the Reds win (against the Force), we’re level with the Force and the Rebels again so it will be all in our hands,” Maddocks said on Wednesday.
“So it does have a big-game feel to it even though it’s early in the season.
“But we know that our chances are sort of running out so it’s a huge game for us and we all know it.”
The Waratahs blew a 13-0 lead last start against the Force and Maddocks said concentration lapses can’t keep happening, especially against a Rebels outfit featuring numerous Wallabies including Reece Hodge, Matt Toomua and in-form winger Marika Koroibete.
“I know we started red hot against the Force. We started well against the Reds as well and then there was 20 minutes there we made a lot of errors and they punished us and before we knew it the game was over,” Maddocks said.
“So those two games we’ve had good patches but we just haven’t been able to put that together for 80 minutes.
“So for us it’s about consistency and patience to stay in the battle.”
Hodge is personally wary of Maddocks, declaring his former Rebels and Wallabies teammate a potential game-breaker for the Tahs.
“He’s obviously a pretty class player as all of our Melbourne fans would have seen with the season he had in 2018 down here,” Hodge said.
“”He’s got explosive pace, kicks off both feet and can beat anyone one on one.
“On his day, he would be one of the best attacking players going around in Australian rugby so between him, James Ramm and Mark Nawaqanitawase they are big attacking threats.
“So we need to make sure our kicking game and also our defence is on to counter them.”
The Rebels have made one forced change to their line-up following the three-week suspension of lock Ross Haylett-Petty, with Steve Cummins coming in.
Wallabies hooker Jordan Uelese will make his return from hand surgery via the bench with James Hanson starting.
Melbourne are playing their first game back at AAMI Park in 377 days, forced on the road last year and then preseason due to COVID-19 restrictions.
After disappointment against the Rebels, the Force host a buoyant Reds outfit who last round served up the Brumbies’ first defeat.
Former Wallabies lock Sitaleki Timani will make his first starting appearance while prop Greg Holmes, in his 150th Super Rugby match, has replaced Santiago Medrano.
Samoan World Cup international Henry Taefu is the new inside centre.
Ilaisa Droasese comes in for Test winger Filipo Daugunu in the only change to the Queensland starting side.
ScottD
Roar Guru
Jez, I am also a Force supporter (and enthusiastic member) but to be honest the Force attack is over structured and needs some fire in it. The defence is excellent, which is what most people don't appreciate.
Big Dave
Roar Rookie
The force lost 3 games at the death last year. They weren't that terrible.
Big Dave
Roar Rookie
I don't personally think they have a snowball's chance in he'll of making the finals, but remember lasy year they only won once in the first round and still ended up only missing the finals on an 81st minute try from the rebels against the force in the final game. 3rd out of 5 doesn't necessarily need a lot of wins, especially if you have 2 dominant teams. The second round will show us a fair bit about Penney's coaching bona fixes.
jeznez
Roar Guru
:laughing: you couldn’t help yourself having a dig at the Force, could you mate? Just you wait, the rate Twiggy’s got players coming in they’ll have your mob soon!
Paul D
Roar Rookie
“… where do you see the Waratahs getting their wins from ? They only have 5 rounds left?” The next 5 rounds then. Duh! :silly:
Geoff
Guest
Doctor where do you see the Waratahs getting their wins from ? They only have 5 rounds left to rack up the points as they have another bye. They couldn't make the finals in 2020 so what makes you think they will in 2021?
Waxhead
Roar Rookie
@Jez yeah good attitude imo. I think Tahs best chance of a win in 2021 is against the Force in a month. Force are slow with pedestrian attack and are champions at losing close games :thumbup:
Waxhead
Roar Rookie
@Doctor yes agree but Rebels are still a 20 point better team than Tahs imo. Rebels have pedestrian attack but they defend well whereas NSW do neither. Rebels by at least 20 in Melbourne I reckon :thumbup:
Dwards
Roar Rookie
Well said Jeznez, As a Reds supporter this was our plight just a few short years ago - admittedly for different reasons. Keen to see all teams perform - but improvement has to be the realistic goal.
Tooly
Roar Rookie
The Tahs are like the Force was last year. They need to forget winning and think about playing their best.
jeznez
Roar Guru
I’m pleased to hear the team still have ambition and are doing the math to see if they can still make finals. I also hope they realise that any pressure to make finals comes from themselves. As a Waratahs fan, I just want to see improvement each week. Every match is an opportunity. I don’t care about the result I just want to keep seeing the effort and hope to see them close the gap on their opponents. A win, if one comes, will be purely a bonus.
Doctordbx
Roar Rookie
The Force and Rebels aren't exactly lighting up the house either. Rebels are slight favourites to get the 3rd spot. Their win against the Force was pretty unconvincing to say the least.
Antony Henrie
Guest
Who are the tahs going to beat to get points? They only have 1 point currently and are playing horribly. They may get a few bonus points in the next 6 rounds but that wont be enough to jag 3rd spot. Reds and Brumbies are in the finals. Rebels are favourites to get 3rd spot.
Doctordbx
Roar Rookie
With the 3 from 5 qualifying format they’ve every chance of making the finals. Rebels and Force have only won one each so the tahs are still very much in it.
Cheika_Mate
Roar Rookie
Well the tahs have made one right move, shifting HJH back to loose head. Although worth a go HJH is not a tight head prop. He and Bell once fit can keep each other honest competing for that spot. What does not make sense is their strongest TH prop and best scrummager Talakai cannot make it on the bench this week. Tetra and a new set of rookie props off the bench against a very good Rebels front row - will be a tough night out for the tahs at scrum time. Tahs have picked Sinclair in the second row. I have a lot of time for this guy he should be at 8. He will do what he does and that's work hard just a shame he cannot play backrow. Tahs would kill to have someone like Timani (Force on loan right now) in their second row.
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Have never liked NSW for lots of invalid reasons. BUT I also dislike rugby teams fans being constantly disappointed.
Antony Henrie
Guest
The tahs are already done. Cooked.They had to beat the Force to be any chance They will not play finals.