The Waratahs have a date with the Blues in next week’s Super Rugby quarterfinal in Auckland after the Kiwi team finished the regular season with a tough 16-9 win over the Highlanders in Auckland.
The Blues will start strong favourites next week, having already put a half century on NSW his season in a 55-21 win – easily the most points conceded by Tahs in a single game this season.
Blues coach Leon MacDonald said he expected Test star Beauden Barrett to return for the game next week after missing out through an Achilles injury.
“He’s started to run again and the hope always was that he was going to be ready to go for the quarterfinals,” said MacDonald. “He had 20 stitches in the back of his Achilles – a really unlucky injury – he competed for the ball and a player came down on the back of his foot. He’s a classy player and you want him to be out there.”
The Highlanders got a bonus point and moved level with the Reds on 24 points but well below the Queenslanders on point differential. They need the Drua, Force and Rebels to all lose this weekend to sneak into the last eight next week – or for Queensland to lose by more than 61 points.
It was a dour battle in Auckland – the Blues scored the only try through Patrick Tuipulotu in the 29th minute and the second half was scoreless until the final three minutes.
The Highlanders fought hard to stay in the game, and had a late try overturned for a knock on as a recovery looked possible.
A penalty goal in the 77th minute gave them a chance to take the match into extra time but the Blues held on despite some willing play. The Blues then had a chance to deny the Highlanders a bonus point but kicked for touch instead.
“That’s what you call a throwback game like 50 years ago,” said former All Black star Jeff Wilson on the Stan coverage.
“One try, scrum battle… clearly neither team will be satisfied with their performance. I think the Blues will be bitterly disappointed with the fact they didn’t put the game away well into the second half. I don’t think it was a great game but they got the points.”
Wilson said Barrett’s return would be crucial against the Tahs.
“They need Beauden Barrett back. You need experience in big moments and Barrett understands that. The ability to play and make the right decisions that’s what you need to go one more phase. He’ll bring composure under pressure.”
Broken Shoulder
Roar Rookie
Legend. Thank you.
Tony Harper
Editor
We did the first game and feature on them last week. Here's today's game story https://www.theroar.com.au/2023/06/03/agonising-near-miss-for-junior-wallabies-but-hopes-high-for-world-cup/
Broken Shoulder
Roar Rookie
Hey Tony, if possible could we get an article on the recent U20’s games between Australia and New Zealand? Would love to get a brief on some of these young guys coming through.
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Tahs will try hard against the Blues but it will inevitably be like in any Slaughter House – being disected in the Boneing Room. Blues by plenty !
Tooly
Roar Rookie
The Tahs with 6 wins and 7 losses have stumbled into a playoff with the Blues . They are no worse off than the Brumbies with 10 wins . Except for the home game advantage this week for the Brumbies . The Reds and the Force if they make it are cannon fodder . The Pundits and Eddie’s seconds the Rebs are the second worst team ! With those super stars like Gordon , Wilkins , Phillip , Pony , Horsea , Uleses , Hodge , Kelloway , Anderson could someone name the 6 bums who drag them down ?
Mirt
Roar Rookie
Oh come on Tooly , don’t take all the fun and expectations out of the rest of the year!! There’s no need to stoop so low as to use the truth and state logical outcomes.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Hard to believe BB ended up with 21 stitches ches in his archillies area. Tough area to cover up or protect
Jacko
Roar Rookie
A draw would still get the Landers thru. Just not a Drua win.
Highlander
Roar Guru
Thanks Tony Sure I heard that this week But thanks for clearing up Need to reds to win then…. Or perhaps this highlander season is better left here
Tony Harper
Editor
Don't think so HL In the event of two or more teams being equal on competition points for any position on the competition table final positions will be decided upon using the following steps until the tie is broken: Most wins from all matches; Highest aggregate points difference from all matches; Most tries from all matches; Highest aggregate difference of total tries for versus tries scored against from all matches; Coin toss
Highlander
Roar Guru
I think Reds – Highlanders is decided on the head to head, not points diff, if they are both even on points. That’s why Highlanders took the penalty kick to get the bonus
Tooly
Roar Rookie
The Brumbies v Wellington. And perhaps two of our bunnies against the Chiefs and Crusaders . Can we smash and grab the title ? Or the coming test series ? Or the WC ? NO !
Ankle-tapped Waterboy
Roar Rookie
A shame the Highlanders were unable to play with such resolve throughout the season. Their inability to convert attack into points, and a lack of genuine speedsters in the backline, has cost them. The weekend's results will show whether or not they go through to the finals although few would argue if they don't make it. Thinking about that, I suppose the argument in favour would be along the lines that the Highlanders have faced more top-of-the-table teams than did the others (Force, Drua, Rebels). I haven't checked the draw and don't know the truth of it. All four teams are much of a muchness. It would be academic except there's a small pot of gold involved - a percentage of the matchday takings from next week, which is vital in holding onto players going into 2024.
Paul D
Roar Rookie
Not loving this. Blues are the team I think the Tahs are lest equipped to deal with.
The Late News
Roar Rookie
Good luck fellas.