NSW Waratahs
14
Match Complete
Chiefs
51
| 78 |  | A. Lienert-Brown | ||
| 65 |  | K. Trask | ||
| 62 | | S. Alaimalo | ||
| 61 | | K. Trask | ||
| 60 | | L. Boshier | ||
| 52 | | A. Cruden | ||
| 51 | | S. Wainui | ||
| 44 | | B. Weber | ||
| 42 | | A. Cruden | ||
| 42 | | B. Weber | ||
| W. Harrison | | 32 | ||
| J. Dempsey | | 31 | ||
| W. Harrison | | 26 | ||
| K. Beale | | 25 | ||
| 21 | | A. Cruden | ||
| 20 | | S. Stevenson | ||
| 6 |  | A. Cruden | ||
| 1 | | A. Cruden |
| 2 | Tries | 7 | ||
| 2 | Conversions | 5 | ||
| 0 | Penalty Goals | 2 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
Coming off their first win this year, the Waratahs will host a threatening Chiefs team in Wollongong. Join The Roar for live scores and the blog from 7:15pm (AEDT).
Before a couple of weeks ago, this game looked like a certain win for the Chiefs. But after their home loss to the Brumbies, and the Waratahs’ victory against the Lions, it looks a whole lot tougher to tip. The Waikato side sat out last weekend with a bye, and are lacking in momentum.
Last round’s 29-17 bonus-point win was much needed for New South Wales, who’ve had a barren start to the year. The Crusaders and Blues tarred them in the opening rounds, before the Rebels outlasted them 24-10.
There were some real positives from the Lions clash. New prop Angus Bell looks promising and Will Harrison is ticking the boxes at flyhalf, but at the same time injuries have cruelled the men in sky blue.
The Chiefs looked the form team in the opening weeks, handing the Crusaders their only defeat to date. They also dealt with the Blues and swept away the Sunwolves 43-17, before being severely outplayed by the Canberrans.
They come into this game without five All Blacks players including Damian McKenzie, who sits this game out due to All Blacks resting protocols. He’s one of eight changes to the starting team. Solomon Alaimalo slots in for the aforementioned at fullback, Tumua Manu returns at centre, and Shaun Stevenson takes over from Sam McNicol.
A knee injury has claimed Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Brad Weber takes his place at nine. Notably up front, Tyler Ardron returns for Mitchell Brown, Lachlan Boshier coming in for Luke Jacobson.
The Waratahs have their own share of injuries, Mitch Short takes over from dynamic halfback Jake Gordon, while captain Rob Simmons, Tom Robertson and Mark Nawaqanitawase are also ruled out. Ryan McCauley slots in for Simmons, however it’ll be Kurtley Beale who wears the captain’s armband.
Watch the breakdown. Michael Hooper takes on Sam Cane, and both pose huge threats at the ruck. Whoever claims the most turnovers will probably win.
Prediction
It’ll be a good game – probably the closest of the three matches today. The Chiefs might just have it in them to bounce back.
Chiefs by eight.
Do join The Roar for live scores and a blog from 7:15pm (AEDT).
Game information
Time: 7:15pm (AEDT)
Venue: WIN Stadium
Referee: Angus Gardner
TV: Fox Sports
Odds: Chiefs $1.31, Waratahs $3.50
Last five meetings: Chiefs 39-27, Chiefs 46-31, Waratahs 45-25, Waratahs 33-17, Waratahs 25-20
Teams
Waratahs
Angus Bell, Robbie Abel, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Ryan McCauley, Tom Staniforth, Lachlan Swinton, Michael Hooper, Jack Dempsey, Mitch Short, Will Harrison, Jack Maddocks, Karmichael Hunt, Alex Newsome, James Ramm, Kurtley Beale (C). Reserves: Damien Fitzpatrick, Rory O’Connor, Tetera Faulkner, Pat Tafa, Jed Holloway, Michael McDonald, Lalakai Foketi, Siosifa Lisala.
Chiefs
Aidan Ross, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Ross Geldenhuys, Michael Allardice, Tyler Ardron, Lachlan Boshier, Sam Cane, Pita Gus Sowakula, Brad Weber, Aaron Cruden, Sean Wainui, Anton Lienert-Brown, Tumua Manu, Shaun Stevenson, Solomon Alaimalo. Reserves: Donald Maka, Ryan Coxon, Reuben O’Neill, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Mitchell Karpik, Lisati Milo-Harris, Kaleb Trask, Alex Nankivell.
CO)))DA
Roar Rookie
Please someone stop Phil Kearns from commentating Waratahs games. In fact, stop him commentating all together. His biased, asinine contributions are embarrassing… As are his attempts at humorous banter.
Drew
Roar Rookie
Yes. That was in essence what I was saying about the limitation of that strategy. Japan was likely the best you’re going to see of that approach but even they struggled against the more powerful teams like SA. I think there is a necessary amount of go forward you just need.
jameswm
Roar Guru
Who are those 8? None in the tight 5, 2 backrowers, no halves. Maybe Hunt has played a game or 2, ditto Maddocks. Beale and Hooper, plus 3 who have played less than 5 games. And 5 rookies that was the starting team. Sorry. It’s Dempsey 14, Maddocks 7, Hunt 6.
Ruckin Oaf
Guest
Yep in the meantime we'll have to feast on what crumbs we're given
soapit
Roar Guru
japan had a much higher workrate and effectiveness
Guess
Guest
If Beale is in the next game I'll start to question Penney's professionalism. What is it about him that all coaches choose him? Definitely it's not the performance.
PeterK
Roar Guru
Harrison could be the best flyhalf tahs have had since Ella. After all the previous best was probably Duncan McRae or Daniel Halanghu
SD
Guest
Tahs still have 8 Wallabies.Poor just Poor.How bad Was Hooper ? Bashed at the Breakdown again.
stillmissit
Roar Guru
Pete: He's a big step up on any 5/8 we have had in the last 5 years.
Ruckin Oaf
Guest
Erudite ? W T F does that even mean . While I'm surprised that the term hasn't been thrown at you so often that you're not completely au fait with it by now - I'm even more surprised that you just can't google. I am getting the feeling though Johnny that if something is holding your amazing ability to communicate back - it may not have an external locus.
PeterK
Roar Guru
Also helps Harrison is already better than Foley was last year
jeznez
Roar Guru
Don't forget Polota-Nau, Latu and Kepu. I miss that pack.
Malo
Guest
When are we going to stop blaming the coaches but look beyond that.
jeznez
Roar Guru
The frustration is that the answers have been staring him in the face from the A side. O'Connor came on and got his side of the scrum coming up. He only got penalised once due to Faulkner going backwards on the other side. HJH is either going backwards or holding parity, time to drop Faulkner and give Talakai a go. Ideally I'd like to see HJH come off the bench and Robertson on his return can try and compete with him for the reserve TH spot. Tafa got 12 minutes but I was happy with what I saw, he made the strong carry before we butchered a try right in front of the posts with the pass going astray from Holloway to Swinton. Pat should be in the 23 ahead of McCauley - Ryan passes more than he runs and didn't really pressure the lineout so what is he there for? Staniforth got belted in his first carry but then lowered his height and carried well but was missing cleanouts not ideal but not a lot of other options, I really want Tafa persisted with. If Hanigan is back next week then for me McCauley is the one to make way. As frustrated as I am by the overall performance, I have to at least be happy with the first half fightback. That second half needs to be marked never watch again and a few more of the A team promoted. Final comments. Gee, Harrison, impressed me. Fought to the end, hit rucks harder than many of his forwards. Will be furious if he gets broken doing the work of his pack and his midfield. Need to see changes from Penney - he can't just keep most of the same guys and tinkering with fringe players like Clark, Foketi and Holloway.
Mark
Guest
To be fair 2 tries were absolute flukes 2 were gifts The Tahs need to show more composure in attack and get better (quicker) at realigning in defence I don't think they were as bad as the scoreline showed Full Disclosure - I support the Blues - so anything looks good after 17 years of watching them fail
Mark
Guest
Seems to work for the Crusaders
stillmissit
Roar Guru
James: Love your confidence but I am, or have, already lost mine. I need to see some improvement in the style of playing and to me, it seems they have the same disease they have had for years, they can put on the occasional big game but mostly not committed enough or poor skill set. They play like the Wallabies last year. I excuse Harrison and the rest of the youngsters from this as they appear to be trying along with Hooper who I am pleased to see playing well.
jameswm
Roar Guru
Come on. Missing Latu, Kepu and Simmons from the tight 5, the longstanding halves, and others. If they go as well as last year under these circumstances, it suggests Penney is clearly a better coach.
stillmissit
Roar Guru
James: Maddox's is a full back and not a winger and if Penny can't see it then he ain't a professional coach. Beale is not a fullback and ditto the above... I am starting to wonder what Penny has to offer. The Tahs look as if they have the same coach as the last few years
Greysy
Roar Rookie
And then the Brumbies beat the Chiefs.