- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
Blues
41
Match Complete
NSW Waratahs
12
| H. Plummer |  | 80 | ||
| 69 |  | D. Pietsch | ||
| H. Plummer |  | 68 | ||
| M. Telea | | 66 | ||
| B. Barrett | | 53 | ||
| Z. Sullivan | | 52 | ||
| B. Barrett | | 46 | ||
| R. Riccitelli | | 44 | ||
| B. Barrett | | 39 | ||
| N. Laulala | | 37 | ||
| B. Barrett | | 18 | ||
| F. Christie | | 16 | ||
| B. Barrett | | 11 | ||
| 3 | | T. Edmed | ||
| 2 | | N. Hanigan |
| 5 | Tries | 2 | ||
| 5 | Conversions | 1 | ||
| 2 | Penalty Goals | 0 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
Show Preview
The Waratahs head to Auckland in the biggest challenge to date: to knock-off a New Zealand team in a knockout game at a stadium where few Australian sides club or international have much luck at. Join The Roar for live coverage from 5.30pm AEST.
The Blues are in a different league to the embattled ‘Tahs and deserve their perch in third. However, they too have found it difficult to find their rhythm in 2023. If there is an upset on the cards for quarter finals round, it’s this game.
Darren Coleman has made only one change to the backline which put out a dreadful display last week against Moana Pacifika. Recently re-signed Wallabies/Waratah Lalakai Foketi dons the 12 jersey after recovering from injury. Coleman has kept faith in Joey Walton who starts at 13 whilst Izaia Perese stays on the wing. Mark Nawaqanitawase retains his spot at fullback despite a shaky all-round performance last week. Ben Donaldson holds on to the No.10 jersey despite some average form.
Tane Edmed will get his chance off the bench to either turn the game around or to close it out pending what Donaldson can conjure in what could possibly be his last game as a Waratah before he heads west to the Force.
It’s better news upfront for the men from Daceyville with Wallabies duo Jed Holloway and Dave Porecki returning to the fold. Holloway was sorely missed at lineout time, and he will need to be at his abrasive best to halt the momentum of this elite Blues pack. Te Tera Faulkner and Archer Holz join Porecki up front, with Holz taking over from injured Harry Johnson-Holmes.
“We understand the enormity of the opposition on their home patch, but it’s something we look forward to ripping into” said Coleman.
“We’ve had a good short week of prep and will play like a team with nothing to lose.”
For the home side, they welcome back their favourite son, Beauden Barrett is the man in the No.10 jersey, returning after missing the last two games due to a foot injury.
Talismanic captain Patrick Tuipulotu has been ruled with a broken arm, which could even impact his Rugby Championship selection for the All Blacks.
The backrow battle between the two sides looks to be atomic with Akira Ioane, Dalton Papalii and Hoskins Sotutu raring to head-to-head with Lachie Swinton, Michael Hooper and Langi Gleeson.
AJ Lam slots in for an underperforming Caleb Clark who misses the game following an early withdrawal, a change which may just make the Blues backline even deadlier.
Prediction
The Waratahs will have to overcome a 14-year hoodoo at an oval they’ve only won once at since Super Rugby’s inception. But as was said at the start of this piece, if an upset is on the cards, then it will be this game. The Waratahs have the calibre of players, particularly from 5-15 as well as a strong bench to rattle a few cages and ruffle a couple of feathers. The caveat is if Leon MacDonald’s men find their zen and Barrett is allowed time to orchestrate a deadly attack from his roost. It is honestly a tough game to call on merit, but history and results weigh heavy against the visitors, and it appears a mountain too great to climb for Coleman’s men.
Venue: Eden Park, Auckland, NZ.
Kick-off: 5:35pm (AEST)
Streaming: Stan Sports
Odds: Blues $1.08 Waratahs $8.00 – Odds via PlayUp
Blues (1-15): Ofa Tuungafasi, Ricky Riccitelli, Nepo Laulala, Tom Robinson, James Tucker, Akira Ioane, Dalton Papalii (c), Hoskins Sotutu, Finlay Christie, Beauden Barrett, AJ Lam, Bryce Heem, Rieko Ioane, Mark Telea, Zarn Sullivan.
Replacements: Kurt Eklund, Jordan Lay, Marcel Renata, Cameron Suafoa, Anton Segner, Sam Nock, Harry Plummer, Stephen Perofeta.
Waratahs (1-15): Te Tera Faulkner, Dave Porecki, Archer Holz, Jed Holloway, Ned Hanigan, Lachie Swinton, Michael Hooper (c), Langi Gleeson, Harrison Goddard, Ben Donaldson, Dylan Pietsch, Lalakai Foketi, Joey Walton, Izaia Perese, Mark Nawaqanitawase.
Replacements: Mahe Vailanu, Tom Lambert, Nephi Leatigaga, Taleni Seu, Charlie Gamble, Teddy Wilson, Tane Edmed, Harry Wilson.
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe
Hide Preview
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.