NSW Waratahs
32
Match Complete
Fijian Drua
18
| B. Donaldson |  | 78 | ||
| M. Vailanu |  | 77 | ||
| L. Gleeson | | 71 | ||
| 68 | | J. Tamani | ||
| B. Donaldson | | 66 | ||
| M. Nawaqanitawase | | 65 | ||
| 59 | | K. Valetini | ||
| 58 | | T. Ikanivere | ||
| D. Pietsch | | 43 | ||
| B. Donaldson |  | 26 | ||
| 14 | | C. Muntz | ||
| M. Nawaqanitawase | | 10 | ||
| 7 | | C. Muntz |
| 5 | Tries | 2 | ||
| 2 | Conversions | 1 | ||
| 1 | Penalty Goals | 2 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
Sixth welcomes ninth as the Fijian Drua head to Sydney to face the Waratahs at Allianz Stadium. Join The Roar for live scores and updates from 7:30pm AEST.
The Waratahs look to make it four wins on the trot as they remain at home for the second week in a row. Joey Walton makes the starting XV, replacing the injured Lalakai Foketi. Taleni Seu and Ned Hanigan return to the bench.
Apart from those changes, the Waratahs will take the field much the same as they did when they beat the Rebels last week in a 38-20 win.
The Fijian side will make three changes to the starting lineup. The pack remains the same but the 9-10 pairing is different; Frank Lomani and Teli Tela make way for Pend Matawalu and Caleb Muntz respectively. Selestino Ravutaumada will start on the right wing, taking Eroni Sau’s spot.
The Drua will look to remain more poised during the game this week, hoping to not concede as many penalties or relinquish the ball following 20 turnovers, as they did after last week’s 34-14 loss to the Western Force.
The last time these teams faced each other was in round 2, with the Waratahs thumping the Drua 46-17 in Fiji. This time around, however, Waratahs’ assistant coach, Chris Whitaker, has pointed to the improvements made by the Fijian side with a better structured attack paired with a more stout defence. He went on to talk about the Fijian side’s presence in the tournament:
“I think we’re thankful we’re having them over here playing in Sydney as opposed to playing in Fiji, I think it’s been great for rugby, it’s been great for the competition and they play a very exciting brand of rugby so we’re going to be very cautious of that.”
Game Information
Venue: Allianz Stadium
Kick-off: 7:35pm (AEST)
Live stream: Stan Sport
Betting: Waratahs $1.19, Drua $4.75 – odds via Playup
Waratahs (1-15): Te Tera Faulkner, Dave Porecki, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Jed Holloway, Hugh Sinclair, Will Harris, Michael Hooper, Langi Gleeson, Jake Gordon, Ben Donaldson, Dylan Pietsch, Joey Walton, Izaia Perese, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Max Jorgensen
Replacements: Mahe Vailanu, Nephi Leatigaga, Archer Holz, Ned Hanigan, Taleni Seu, Charlie Gamble, Teddy Wilson, Harry Wilson
Fijian Drua (1-15): Haereiti Hetet, Tevita Ikanivere, Jone Koroiduadua, Isoa Nasilasila, Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, Joseva Tamani, Vilive Miramira, Ratu Meli Derenalagi, Peni Matawalu, Caleb Muntz, Taniela Rakuro, Kalatevi Ravouvou, Iosefo Masi, Selestino Ravutaumada, Ilaisa Droasese
Replacements: Zuriel Togiatama, Emosi Tuqiri, Mesake Doge, Etonia Waqa, Elia Canakaivata, Phillip Baselala, Kemu Valetini, Apisalome Vota
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe.
Tooly
Roar Rookie
Eddie’s First Fifteen the Tahs have nailed it . FIJI ! Wow ! Just as well . Eddie’s second fifteen the Rebs were SH . His bench the Brumbies and his Fourths the Reds also . His new Malcolm Marx and Conrad Smith are just the old Ullese and the Neville ; Flook . The Force are of no interest to Eddie ! Apart from Robertson an ex- Tah . So he will stick with the Tahs and ex-Tahs Robertson , Skelton and Foley ! The WC is ours . Break out the Grange ! Gleeson and Gorgeouson did play well for the Tahs .
Fin
Roar Rookie
Gave away his shorts after the games too. Kept signing autographs in the jocks!
Fin
Roar Rookie
Jorgo is just a real footballer. Was immense tonight.
TC
Roar Rookie
Chivas I got my NRL and Union laws mixed up..NRL you can't attack the legs of a kicker. Surprising that's an area the NRL considered dangerous, but not against any laws in Rugby..Cheers
Chivas
Roar Rookie
Normally you get away with both on a kicker.. because you are taking a bet both ways… that was a good kick by Jorgenson by the by… but it was well worth having a crack at stopping it.. when you played you can’t tell me you never got caught in two minds and no mans land.. which more often than not means you achieve neither. In that case i think it was a fair call.. it was an honest half ar5sed attempt at a charge down…
TC
Roar Rookie
Apologies Chivas the right arm didn't wrap..NRL have been really strict on this type of play..Just watched it on Slow-Mo
TC
Roar Rookie
Chivas so the Right arm around his hip isn't Attempting a tackle? Again I have no issue if it is ruled Not Late.. I believe late for tackle and late for Charge Down are not reffed the same
Chivas
Roar Rookie
In your expert opinion do you have to have two arms in fromt reaching forward to be a charge down. Sometimes I kept my arms closer to protect my face from taking a boot and put my arms where they needed to be, when they needed to be there. The fact his body wasn't directed at the player, but rather at the ball suggests to me he was attacking the ball.. which is also the way the ref interpretted it.. he wasn't affecting a tackle and if he was I would have penalised him and probably given him a yc for such a shocking attempt. It wasn't a great charge down either because he missed that by a second which I am pretty sure he realised at the last moment but his body was already committed.... but people will make of it what they will and think it is foul play or whatever.. I think the right call was made and I think just about every ref in the world would have called it that way... a few fanbois making something of it is par for the course... and no I'm not calling you a fanboi.. just saying it is common across fans of all teams... i think its a bit silly, but thats just my opinion.
Paul D
Roar Rookie
Another gutsy win built off defence. Didn’t feel like a bonus point win but will take it.
Pinetree
Roar Rookie
Good win and some tidy tries scored from the Tahs. Winning is a habit, and that is 4 in a row for the Tahs. They have to travel away to play the Crusaders next week, which will be a massive uphill battle, but back home to play Moana Pasifika to following week, where I imagine they will easily secure 6th place on 35-36 table points.
cinque
Roar Rookie
Yes, he will keep Suaalii on the bench for a while. For some reason, Vunivalu and Suaalii make me think of the Aukus sub deal.
Reds Harry
Roar Rookie
Usual display… I was more interested in the young Wallaby contenders and thought those 2 had good games and more importantly showed the necessary x-factor. Hard to define but they both had it.
LuckyPhil
Roar Rookie
Max
SlytheeTove
Roar Rookie
Walton was very good as well
wahwah100
Roar Rookie
Jed Holloway
freddieeffer
Roar Rookie
Jed for me. Also Hoops pretty good being everywhere when you don't expect it. Jorgensem finding his feet more n more and Donaldson played well but still not showing enough creativity at 10.
James584
Roar Rookie
Gotta be Jorgo.
WithTheDawn
Roar Rookie
They have lost to every decent team they have played though, to be fair. Will make the finals, but can they beat any of the top 5?
freddieeffer
Roar Rookie
Big Jed Holloway does a lot of grind work in the middle and does some smart unsung things too. Another top job imo.
FrancisF
Roar Pro
Man of the Match Jorgensen. Correct decision. If somebody else… sack the selection panel