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NSW Waratahs
40
Match Complete
Fijian Drua
10
| 64 |  | B. Kerr | ||
| 64 |  | N. Nagusa | ||
| B. Donaldson | | 57 | ||
| J. Gordon | | 56 | ||
| B. Donaldson | | 52 | ||
| A. Bell | | 51 | ||
| L. Foketi | | 40 | ||
| D. Porecki | | 34 | ||
| B. Donaldson |  | 21 | ||
| B. Donaldson | | 19 | ||
| 15 | | B. Kerr | ||
| B. Donaldson | | 13 | ||
| W. Harris | | 12 | ||
| B. Donaldson | | 7 |
| 5 | Tries | 1 | ||
| 3 | Conversions | 1 | ||
| 3 | Penalty Goals | 1 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
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The brand new Super Rugby Pacific competition kicks off in 2022 with the NSW Waratahs taking on new boys, the Fijian Drua as both sides look to get their season off to a winning start at CommBank Stadium, Sydney. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7:45 pm (AEDT).
It’s been a torrid past two years for the Waratahs with loss after loss leading to coaching sacking and calls for a complete overhaul of the entire organisation, let alone the team. There will be a desire for the 2022 team to come flying out of the blocks but in this first match against the talented ball playing Drua, the Tahs will be better placed to play a controlled, discipline game.
The Tahs will be glad that powerful centre Lalakai Foketi has been passed fit after coming off in the trial came against the Reds last week and the back line does look full of attacking talent with Izaia Perese also in the centres and Ben Donaldson getting the start at fly half with Will Harrison out injured. The battle for the number 10 shirt will be an interesting one to keep an eye on as the season unfolds – Harrison has been picked by many as a future star but 2021 was a tough year for him and Donaldson impressed in a team that was often going backwards.
Up front the Tahs certainly have some power to unleash in the likes of Will Harris, Lachlan Swinton, Harry Johnson-Holmes and Angus Bell but they will miss the experience of club talisman, Michael Hooper. Hooper is still on holiday as he takes advantage of the terms of his latest contract that will see him miss up five rounds of Super Rugby Pacific. They do have good experience on the bench in the form of former Wales and British and Irish Lions star, Jamie Roberts, and it will be interesting to see whether he’s still got the pace to be a genuine threat.
Tahs assistant coach Chris Whitaker has made it clear that they have plenty of respect for their opponents and fear the Drua if the game starts to open up. “Our biggest danger is turning it into like a Fijian style game,” explained Whitaker earlier this week. He made it clear that the men from Sydney would need to play a very measured style so as not to give the Fijians an opportunity to exploit. “On both sides of the ball we’ve got to be really disciplined and stick to what we’re doing best.”
For the Fijian Drua this will be a very emotional occasion. Having won the NRC in 2018, the team now get a chance to play at the top tier of club rugby. While a number of their team have Test match or international sevens experience, only former Auckland Blues fly half Baden Kerr has ever played in Super Rugby before. Coach Mick Byrne has committed to play as many Fijian players as possible in his side and not just hiring in players from overseas. As much as it’s important that the team play well on the field, the value of the Drua goes well beyond the pitch and is being watched closely by Fiji’s people and government as the team looks to create a new way for talented Fijian players to stay home and make rugby a genuine profession without having to rely on joining overseas leagues.
In the front row, there is Test experience with both Samu Tawake and Tevita Ikanivere having played for Fiji against Georgia and in the back row, 2020 Olympics Gold Medallist Meli Derenalagi will start on the blindside. There’s more international experience on the bench too with Mesulame Dolokoto and Manasa Saulo eager to get a chance to make an impression.
In terms of game style, everyone is expecting the Drua to play with pace, power and plenty of creativity. But they will need to balance this with some control, especially at the set piece and ruck so that they give their backs some decent ball and don’t spend the evening incurring penalty after penalty and making life far too easy for the Tahs.
Prediction
All the pressure is on the Tahs in this opening game and while they should win, the Drua will know that if they can make things uncomfortable for the home side in the opening 30 minutes then nightmare flash backs to the winless 2021 season could start unsettling the Tahs.
There’s something in the air when it comes to this match and the Drua are going to sneak it.
Fijian Drua by 5 points.
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Western Sydney
Kick-off: 7:45pm (AEDT), Friday 18th February 2022
Live stream: Stan Sports
Betting: Waratahs $1.24, Fijian Drua $4.10 – odds via PlayUp
Referee:Nic Berry
Assistant Referee: Reuben Keane, Matt Kellahan
Teams
NSW Waratahs
15. Alex Newsome, 14. Dylan Pietsch, 13. Izaia Perese, 12. Lalakai Foketi, 11. James Turner, 12. Ben Donaldson, 9. Jake Gordon (c), 8. Will Harris, 7. Charlie Gamble, 6. Lachlan Swinton, 5. Geoff Cridge, 4. Jed Holloway, 3. Harry Johnson-Holmes, 2. Dave Porecki, 1. Angus Bell
Replacements:
16. Tom Horton, 17. Tetera Faulkner, 18. Tiaan Tauakipulu, 19. Hugh Sinclair, 20. Carlo Tizzano, 21. Henry Robertson, 22. Tane Edmed, 23. Jamie Roberts
Fijian Drua
15. Selesitino Ravutaumada, 14. Kitione Ratu, 13. Apisalome Vota, 12. Kalaveti Ravouvou, 11. Vinaya Hobosi, 10. Baden Kerr, 9. Simione Kuruvoli, 8. Nemani Nagusa (c), 7. Kitione Salawa, 6. Meli Derenalagi, 5. Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, 4. Isoa Nasilasila, 3. Samuela Tawake, 2. Tevita Ikanivere, 1. Jone Koroiduadua
Replacements:
16. Mesulame Dolokoto, 17. Timoci Sauvoli, 18. Manasa Saulo, 19. Viliame Rarasea, 20. Vilive Miramira, 21. Peni Matawalu, 22. Caleb Muntz, 23. Onisi Ratave
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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.