NSW Waratahs
38
Match Complete
Melbourne Rebels
20
| B. Donaldson |  | 79 | ||
| I. Perese |  | 78 | ||
| B. Donaldson |  | 66 | ||
| B. Donaldson | | 53 | ||
| M. Nawaqanitawase | | 52 | ||
| 49 | | R. Hodge | ||
| 44 | |||
| 40 | | R. Hodge | ||
| B. Donaldson | | 24 | ||
| J. Gordon | | 22 | ||
| 20 | |||
| 14 | | R. Hodge | ||
| 13 | | M. Ioane | ||
| 9 | | R. Hodge | ||
| 8 | | R. Hodge |
| 5 | Tries | 2 | ||
| 3 | Conversions | 2 | ||
| 1 | Penalty Goals | 2 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
Finals footy is very much on the minds of the Waratahs and Rebels and both can take a big step forward with a win in Sydney. Join The Roar for live scores and updates from 7.30pm AEST.
Tahs head coach Darren Coleman has made just one change to the starting team that defeated the Reds last week in Townsville.
The front-row remains the same with David Porecki joining Harry Johnson-Holmes and Te Tera Faulkner in an all-Wallaby front row.
Hugh Sinclair, who led the team in tackles against the Reds (20), partners the competitions leading lineout winner Jed Holloway (69) in the second row.
Will Harris is the only change to the XV, replacing Taleni Seu at blindside flanker and joining Langi Gleeson and Michael Hooper in the backrow. Seu came off the field at half-time against the Reds with a minor shoulder complaint and was ruled out late in the week.
Gleeson was again impressive for the Waratahs, leading the team for carries against the Reds (12), and is averaging the 3rd most run metres per 80 minutes in the competition (115.6) – the most by any forward.
Jake Gordon continues his all-Wallaby partnership with Ben Donaldson in the halves, while Lalakai Foketi, fresh off scoring one of the tries of the season, partners Izaia Perese in the midfield.
Mark Nawaqanitawase who leads the team in carries (76), run metres (640), offloads (13) and defenders beaten (32) is joined in the back three by Dylan Pietsch and Max Jorgensen.
Coleman has made two changes to his bench with Teddy Wilson and Ola Tauelangi joining the match day 23.
The return to the starting XV of Victorians Josh Canham and Jordan Uelese highlights the Rebels’ Round 12 team to take on the Waratahs for the Weary Dunlop Shield.
Rebels Head Coach Kevin Foote has made two other changes to his starting XV, with the suspended Josh Kemeny being replaced at Flanker by Vaiolini Ekuasi and David Feliuai moving into the No.12 jersey replacing Stacey Ili.
Game information
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Kick-off: 7:35pm (AEST)
Streaming: Stan Sport
Odds: Waratahs $1.42 Rebels $2.90 – odds via Playup
Teams
Waratahs (1-15): Te Tera Faulkner, Dave Porecki, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Jed Holloway, Hugh Sinclair, Will Harris, Michael Hooper, Langi Gleeson, Jake Gordon (c), Ben Donaldson, Dylan Pietsch, Lalakai Foketi, Izaia Perese, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Max Jorgensen.
Replacements: Mahe Vailanu, Nephi Leatigaga, Archer Holz, Ola Tauelangi, Charlie Gamble, Teddy Wilson, Joey Walton, Harry Wilson.
Rebels (1-15): Matt Gibbon, Jordan Uelese, Sam Talakai, Josh Canham, Trevor Hosea, Vaiolini Ekuasi, Brad Wilkin (c), Richard Hardwick, Ryan Louwrens, Carter Gordon, Monty Ioane, David Feliuai, Reece Hodge, Lachie Anderson, Andrew Kellaway.
Replacements: Alex Mafi, Cabous Eloff, Pone Fa’amausili, Tim Cardell, Tamati Ioane, James Tuttle, Stacey Ili, Joe Pincus.
Referee: Damon Murphy
mcsb
Roar Rookie
Got in late to watch the last half and the most exciting highlight was when Ben (10) did the best pass to Izaia (13) to score an astonishing try! Way to go Waratahs! :rugby: :rugby: :rugby:
Wally James
Roar Guru
Touche :stoked:
Dean
Roar Rookie
He is not the Messiah, he is a very naughty boy :laughing:
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Messiahs don’t knock on.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Fingers, toes and other leg crossed.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
What’s Eruditition? :silly:
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
So he’s the same as every other 10 in the world?
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Crazy the rebels consistently have had one of the best line outs in Aus when their mainstay at hooker as been a “liability”
Wally James
Roar Guru
Eruditition at its best. :happy:
freddieeffer
Roar Rookie
Yes, many an Oz Test player are guilty of sub-standard plays - some even consistently so. (Eg Petaia is a classic)
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Tel qui s'en rit aujourd'hui, s'honorera de la porter..
Fracktobunt
Roar Rookie
Yep, there’s 15 rounds on my footy tipping comp
Hunters
Roar Rookie
To me it looked like Kellaway was still making good decisions with the ball and getting well over the gain line. But I may have missed something.
Hunters
Roar Rookie
Harry, you’re always good for an informed, incisive and often poetic perspective. I suppose with all that creativity bouncing around in there we’re bound to see some Alice’s Adventures sidebars. Thank you for those too. It helps me know I’m not alone. (I wasn’t thinking about cheerleaders before, but now…)
Hunters
Roar Rookie
Your optimism and balance are inspirational.
Hunters
Roar Rookie
Hooper is having a great year with his kicking.
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Sub standard from a Test player !
Dean
Roar Rookie
We need Foketi as much as we need Gordon. They would easily be the best 10/12 combination in Oz if paired together.
Wizz
Roar Rookie
Sad truth is in OZ rugby all the tens needed Carter as competition or they were going to keep shoveling the crap they have been..
Wizz
Roar Rookie
Waratahs on paper I know paper doesn't play matchi is pretty good as far as OZ rugby goes let's not all get suprised when they do perform...