Rebels
24
Match Complete
NSW Waratahs
10
| A. Kellaway |  | 79 | ||
| A. Kellaway | | 73 | ||
| M. Toomua |  | 69 | ||
| M. Toomua | | 48 | ||
| 46 |  | W. Harrison | ||
| 45 | | H. Johnson-Holmes | ||
| M. Koroibete | | 13 | ||
| 11 | | W. Harrison | ||
| M. Toomua | | 5 |
| 3 | Tries | 1 | ||
| 0 | Conversions | 1 | ||
| 3 | Penalty Goals | 1 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
Two rounds in and both the Rebels and Waratahs are already struggling for confidence as the two teams clash in a vital game in Super Rugby Round 3 at AAMI Park. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match from 7:15pm (AEDT).
Season 2020 already has an aura of doom and gloom for the Rebels and the Waratahs as both remain winless after two rounds.
The Rebels have been guilty of giving up huge leads early in matches against the Brumbies and Sunwolves en route to comprehensive defeats. The Waratahs have not fared any better, losing a bitterly disappointing contest to the Blues last week in Newcastle.
In a good case of seasonal symbolism, the Waratahs never got going in tough wet conditions in front of the lowest Waratahs crowd in history. Things are not looking good for NSW and the glory days of 2014 feel like a lifetime ago.
But another round of Super Rugby provides new opportunity to bounce back for both clubs and a win hopefully kickstarts the season of an Australian club in dire need of some confidence.
For the Waratahs to cause the upset, the usual suspects have to lead – Wallabies players Michael Hooper and Kurtley Beale. If they play well, the Waratahs’ stocks grow and if they don’t, chances of defeat rise considerably.
As for Melbourne, Matt Toomua needs to star while Dane Haylett-Petty performed well last week in a losing side against the Brumbies. Both players will feature heavily if Melbourne are to win.
Prediction
In a difficult game to predict, the Waratahs may be value for an upset if they get their act together, but I feel that confidence is pretty low at the moment in NSW, and that may just provide the Rebels with the chance to claim their opening win of the season at home.
Rebels by seven.
Game information
Time: 7:15pm (AEDT)
Venue: AAMI Park
Coverage: Fox Sports, Kayo Sports
Betting: Rebels $1.68, Waratahs $2.20
Rebels squad
1. Matt Gibbon, 2. Anaru Rangi, 3. Ruan Smith, 4. Ross Haylett-Petty, 5. Matt Philip, 6. Michael Wells, 7. Richard Hardwick, 8. Isi Naisarani, 9. Ryan Louwrens, 10. Matt Toomua, 11. Marika Koroibete, 12. Bill Meakes, 13. Campbell Magnay, 14. Reece Hodge, 15. Dane Haylett-Petty. Reserves: 16. Steven Misa, 17. Cameron Orr, 18. Cabous Eloff, 19. Gideon Koegelenberg, 20. Rob Leota, 21. Angus Cottrell, 22. Frank Lomani, 23. Andrew Kellaway.
Waratahs squad
1. Angus Bell, 2. Robbie Abel, 3. Harry Johnson-Holmes, 4. Tom Staniforth, 5. Rob Simmons (c), 6. Jed Holloway, 7. Michael Hooper, 8. Jack Dempsey, 9. Jake Gordon, 10. Will Harrison, 11. Jack Maddocks, 12. Karmichael Hunt, 13. Alex Newsome, 14. Cameron Clark, 15. Kurtley Beale. Reserves: 16. Damien Fitzpatrick, 17. Tom Robertson, 18. Tetera Faulkner, 19. Ryan McCauley, 20. Lachlan Swinton, 21. Mitch Short, 22. Lalakai Foketi, 23. Mark Nawaqanitawase.
Mitcho
Guest
Ols. Apparently Ryan’s stint in japan blew his qualifications for test selection
ols
Roar Pro
Are you sure he's not eligible? Wasn't Lomani ruled out because he's not eligible to play for Australia. So he was replaced with somebody who is not eligible as well?? Ryan played in Australia from 2011 to 2017. Does he have to declare an intention to want to qualify?
Nobrain
Roar Guru
I meant not only the handling errors because the turf was really wet. But the use of the kicks, the use of the penalties, the decision making was terrible.
The Slow Eater
Roar Rookie
Both sides handling skills were atrocious tbh
JSJ
Roar Rookie
As per Wikepedia: Louwrens was born in Johannesburg, South Africa where he attended Kempton Park High School in Johannesburg. When he was 16 years old, he moved with his parents to Australia where he attended Churchlands Senior High School in Perth.[1][2] He was invited to join the RugbyWA Academy in 2008. In 2009, he returned to South Africa where he played at the Craven Week tournament and represented Valke at the Under 19 Currie Cup.[2] Near the end of that season he failed a drugs test and was banned for two years by the South African Rugby Union's disciplinary tribunal for using anabolic steroids
Bourkos
Roar Rookie
I'm talking about maddocks when he started. However maddocks still needs to improve his defens. I haven't seen enough yet to be swayed otherwise
Double Agent
Guest
He's not eligible to play for the Wallabies.
Double Agent
Guest
I don't think the Toomua/Harrison battle had much to do with the outcome.
Malotru
Roar Rookie
More like Wagner's Ring Cycle in its entirety Nobrain.
Gloria
Roar Rookie
Many Australians are born OS. Including me.
Gloria
Roar Rookie
I think the Rebels will be a decent chance to beat the Blues.
tsuru
Roar Rookie
I thought Maddocks tackled well in this game.
Grandslamfan
Roar Rookie
Hika - As they say "Revenge is a dish best served cold" - interesting analysis.
Bourkos
Roar Rookie
Matt Phillip as well as Speight should. Have at least been in the WC squad
Bourkos
Roar Rookie
That was some hit. I thought Simmons was thru a gap for about . 75 seconds
Bourkos
Roar Rookie
Reminds me a bit of maddocks
Bourkos
Roar Rookie
Marky Mark also missed the try prior to that by not sticking on his wing. He’s got the attacking nous just needs some decent heads around him to help him pick up his defense
Norm de plume
Guest
They haven’t earned the right to run around and pat each other!
Dean
Roar Rookie
:laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
Dean
Roar Rookie
Nobody mate, we are just carping on about how the Waratahs play the Bye next week and will lose that as well.