NSW Waratahs
21
Match Complete
Highlanders
20
| B. Donaldson |  | 79 | ||
| M. Vailanu |  | 78 | ||
| 61 | | S. Gilbert | ||
| 61 | | A. Smith | ||
| 57 | | S. Gilbert | ||
| 56 | | H. Renton | ||
| B. Donaldson | | 40 | ||
| L. Foketi | | 38 | ||
| 25 |  | S. Gilbert | ||
| 21 | | S. Gilbert | ||
| B. Donaldson | | 17 | ||
| I. Perese | | 16 |
| 3 | Tries | 2 | ||
| 3 | Conversions | 2 | ||
| 0 | Penalty Goals | 2 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
The Waratahs put up a white flag in Auckland last week and will be hoping that gamble pays off in a must win Super Rugby Pacific match against Highlanders at Allianz Stadium, Sydney. Join The Roar for live scores and updates from 7.30pm AEST.
Waratahs coach Darren Coleman has recalled six Wallabies to his starting XV that lost to the Blues last week.
Dave Porecki returns with Mahe Vailanu moving to the bench, while Te Tera Faulkner replaces the injured Tom Lambert to complete an all-Wallaby front-row alongside Harry Johnson-Holmes.
Hugh Sinclair returns from a shoulder injury suffered against the Rebels in round three, partnering Jed Holloway in the second row.
Coleman has added two Wallabies to his back-row with Michael Hooper returning to the side after completing his national resting, while Langi Gleeson returns from a calf injury suffered against the Hurricanes in round four.
Jake Gordon continues his all-Wallaby partnership with Ben Donaldson in the halves, while Wallaby rested Lalakai Foketi resumes his devastating combination in the midfield with Izaia Perese.
(Photo by Pete Dovgan/Speed Media/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Max Jorgensen returns to fullback, with Wallaby rested Mark Nawaqanitawase joining Dylan Pietsch on the wings.
The Waratahs will be wearing their 2023 First Nations jersey which has been designed by Pietsch.
Coleman said: “We’ve been inconsistent to date, but we’re really excited about the run home and the number of games we have at Allianz. The team is focused on finishing the season strong and getting into the finals in form and healthy.
“It’s great to welcome back several high-quality players with Porecki, Sinclair, Hooper and Gleeson who will add some punch to our forward pack whilst Lalakai and Marky provide a real spark for our attack.
“Mosese Tuipulotu showed a lot of exciting pre-season form and some glimpses against the Hurricanes before he injured his knee and we’re excited to see some impact from him in the second half.”
Aaron Smith will captain the Highlanders in place of flanker Billy Harmon, who misses the game for personal reasons.
Smith missed last week’s loss to the Force due to a family bereavement.
Fellow All Blacks halfback Folau Fakatava also returns while winger Jona Nareki features for the first time this season.
Sean Withy will take Harmon’s place in the No 7 jersey.
Game information
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Kick-off: 7:35pm (AEST)
Streaming: Stan Sport
Odds: Waratahs $1.63, Highlanders $2.30 – odds via Playup
Teams
Waratahs (1-15): Te Tera Faulkner, David Porecki, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Jed Holloway, Hugh Sinclair, Taleni Seu, Michael Hooper, Langi Gleeson, Jake Gordon, Ben Donaldson, Dylan Pietsch, Lalakai Foketi, Izaia Perese, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Max Jorgensen.
Replacements: Mahe Vailanu, Nephi Leatigaga, Daniel Botha, Will Harris, Charlie Gamble, Harrison Goddard, Joey Walton, Mosese Tuipulotu.
Highlanders (1-15): Ethan de Groot, Andrew Makalio, Jermaine Ainsley, Fabian Holland, Will Tucker, Shannon Frizell, Sean Withy, Hugh Renton, Aaron Smith (c), Mitch Hunt, Scott Gregory, Sam Gilbert, Fetuli Paea, Jonah Lowe, Connor Garden-Bachop.
Replacements: Rhys Marshall, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Saula Ma’u, Pari Pari Parkinson, Marino Mikaele-Tu’u, Folau Fakatava, Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Jona Nareki.
Referee: Damon Murphy.
Cadfael
Roar Guru
Nothing wromg with a short box kick, it can allow the forwards to get underneath it. Our two seem tgo just kick aimlessly.
BlouBul
Roar Rookie
He lifted the player past the horizontal and that was the issue. Not how the player landed.
Malotru
Roar Rookie
One of many Pilferer, Fetuli Paea being dragged two metres into touch while his knees hit the ground twice in the process. Wright throwing the ball away over the touch line was another. Waratah hand dragging the ball back from a ruck, ref says it came off the foot. Virtually every scrum was a penalty against the Tahs, but few given. Murphy was outstanding.
Malotru
Roar Rookie
Hunt shouldn't be anywhere this team. Gilbert to 10 until young Cam Millar is fit.
Bourkos
Roar Rookie
One of the few that could hold his head up after that game.
Bourkos
Roar Rookie
Really? If I was the Waratahs forwards coach I'd be looking at new jobs. They look like a complete shambles and with no cooperation at all. Players actively running away from support, players forgetting they need to clear out, missing basic tackles etc. Then both scrum and line out were smashed by the worst NZ side this year. Just not good enough.
Bliksem
Roar Rookie
Would be great but unlikely. The top-up players have been underwhelming this weekend.
Chivas
Roar Rookie
Then how come you posted another… sweetie… far out. Is that the most original insult you have… does that make you feel like a man who’s opinion counts.. but you are right better things to do thsn try to converse with some as obviously ret4arded as you have demonstrated. Counter an argument by calling me sweetie.. thats just sad. Big Dave indeed
Big Dave
Roar Rookie
We're done, sweetie. Maybe my last post wasn't clear enough.
Greysy
Roar Rookie
Absolutely. First half was an arm wrestle but I thought they were mostly fine. Play like that in the second and it would have been a win by about ten I reckon. But they were atrocious that second 40. I just think it's a good sign when Australian teams can close out a match after playing badly. Because that's not a skill we usually have and it is one that NZ teams are adept at.
Paul D
Roar Rookie
In hindsight yes. I fully expected them to lose that one. The kind of game they would have lost 9 times out of 10 usually. My irritation is that it should never have been that hard to begin with. They were the reason they weren’t on top by more.
Chivas
Roar Rookie
You dont have an argument. You have a virtually indefensible position as has been explained. You think SR rated him because he startted him against Italy and White against France and Ireland or in the Rugby championship he started Gordon against the ABs after statting White in the more winnable games. And in the games Gordon played he got punped and in the first game it was when White came on that things turned around... that youxan't see that and think its abouy others seeing your side... lala land. You are right neither Gordon nor you are worth the effort to explain. But lets cut the BS about you seeing thevother side or being open minded... You have argued in your words that ther is not much difference between Australias best halfback and Gordon and have deluded yourself into thinking DR agrees with you when you have been given information which clearly demonstrates otherwise.
Fin
Roar Rookie
Yeah I’ll take it
Big Dave
Roar Rookie
Lol. After all this time you still can't even comprehend my argument. Not worth my time.
Chivas
Roar Rookie
Haha you think admitting he played rubbish tonight is showing you can see both sides.. it doesn't. Everyone has been saying for ages he is playing rubbish and you argue he is one of Australias top half backs. If you think you are open minded when everyone is saying the sane thing and providing answers to your weak strawman then you are deluded.
Cannonball
Roar Rookie
It’s a bit silly looking at the ladder. A bunch more games this weekend :shocked:
Riggers
Roar Rookie
I hope so Mirt, Awesome talent at the Reds. They are actually mid table, I’m referring to heart for your team. Thorn brought that a few years back. I want to see them play for QLD first.
James584
Roar Rookie
Great win. Well done Tahs.
Cannonball
Roar Rookie
Sounded like a whistle, but it wasn’t the ref :laughing:
Mirt
Roar Rookie
There’s a realistic chance of being 6th by the end. Brumbies may be third. So a big win in the ACT is on the cards, before a semifinal in NZ