2014 Super Rugby: Waratahs vs. Bulls (Round 10) 19/04/2014

[TRF_heineken]

Allianz Stadium, Sydney

11:40 CAT​

Teams:

Waratahs: 15 Israel Folau, 14 Cam Crawford, 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12 Kurtley Beale, 11 Rob Horne, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Nick Phipps, 8 Dave Dennis (captain), 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Jacques Potgieter, 5 Kane Douglas, 4 Will Skelton, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Tatafu Polota Nau, 1 Benn Robinson.


Substitutes: 16 Tolu Latu, 17 Jeremy Tilse, 18 Paddy Ryan, 19 Pat McCutcheon, 20 Wycliff Palu, 21 Brendan McKibbin, 22 Jono Lance, 23 Matt Carraro

Bulls: 15 Jurgen Visser, 14 Bjorn Basson, 13 JJ Engelbrecht, 12 Jan Serfontein, 11 Francois Hougaard, 10 Jacques-Louis Potgieter, 9 Piet van Zyl, 8 Grant Hattingh, 7 Jacques du Plessis, 6 Jono Ross, 5 Victor Matfield, 4 Flip van der Merwe (captain), 3 Werner Kruger, 2 Callie Visagie, 1 Dean Greyling


Substitutes: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Marcel van der Merwe, 18 Morné Mellett, 19 Paul Willemse, 20 Jacques Engelbrecht, 21 Rudy Paige, 22 Handré Pollard, 23 William Small-Smith

 

[TRF_heineken]

Does anyone have news yet on team selection?

the only article I can find is that the Waratahs might be without Israel Folau and Wycliff Palu.

 

[Draggs]

Courtesy sport24:


Waratahs:


15 Israel Folau, 14 Cam Crawford, 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12 Kurtley Beale, 11 Rob Horne, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Nick Phipps, 8 Dave Dennis (captain), 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Jacques Potgieter, 5 Kane Douglas, 4 Will Skelton, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Tatafu Polota Nau, 1 Benn Robinson.


Substitutes: 16 Tolu Latu, 17 Jeremy Tilse, 18 Paddy Ryan, 19 Pat McCutcheon, 20 Wycliff Palu, 21 Brendan McKibbin, 22 Jono Lance, 23 Matt Carraro


Bulls:


15 Jurgen Visser, 14 Bjorn Basson, 13 JJ Engelbrecht, 12 Jan Serfontein, 11 Francois Hougaard, 10 Jacques-Louis Potgieter, 9 Piet van Zyl, 8 Grant Hattingh, 7 Jacques du Plessis, 6 Jono Ross, 5 Victor Matfield, 4 Flip van der Merwe (captain), 3 Werner Kruger, 2 Callie Visagie, 1 Dean Greyling


Substitutes: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Marcel van der Merwe, 18 Morné Mellett, 19 Paul Willemse, 20 Jacques Engelbrecht, 21 Rudy Paige, 22 Handré Pollard, 23 William Small-Smith



Biggest news-Israel is back!

 

[Darwin]

I'm a bit surprised to see Hattingh still starting at 8 for the Bulls. Last week he just looked like a lock trying to play number 8 to me - personally I think Engelbrecht would be a far better starting option. I like the look of the rest of the side - it is good to see van Zyl and 9 and Hougaard on the wing again (even if it is injury enforced). The Tahs will miss Palu (who is struggling with injury hence is on the bench), as his work-rate and ball running skills are vital to them. It will be great to see Jacques Potgieter up against his old side, and it will be interesting to see big Will Skeleton playing against players (almost) his own size for a change!

I'm picking the Waratahs to win this, as they look a good side when Folau is playing. I expect they will target the breakdown and move the ball around attempt to wear out the massive Bulls pack. The Bulls looked to play quite expansively at times last week - I'm not really sure it is a great idea against the Australian and New Zealand teams. They certainly have the backline to play expansive rugby (Potgieter at 10 is one of the keys for me), but I don't think they have the forward pack to keep up. They made good ground out wide at times against the Highlanders last week, but often became isolated. This meant they either got very slow ball (allowing the Highlanders defensive line to reset), or they turned over the ball. They also ended up wearing out their big forwards. I certainly think they should keep using their backline, but they should be far more direct - I would have Serfontein running hard at the gap between Foley and Beale, and have Hougaard running off Potgieters shoulder.

 

[nzlizard]

Folau back for the Tahs is the key for me.

He is worth 2 tries a game and when you look at the Bulls they have only scored 2 tries each game in their last 2 games, on paper he balances that ledger. He just adds so much at the back.

The Bulls attempts to run and play out wide on the NZ part of the tour is awesome, great to see them adding that dimension to their game, and not relying on the rolling maul as their main strike weapon is cool, makes them much more exciting to watch.

Like Darwin said though they need to watch getting isolated from the forwards, this is something I feel is happening more and more now is the turnover ball due to isolation, teams are now putting a forward in the backline more often then ever and that broken play counter attack is prime pickings for turnovers if your forwards are big and the running game is wearing them out.

 

[ABs2011]

Folau back for the Tahs is the key for me.

He is worth 2 tries a game and when you look at the Bulls they have only scored 2 tries each game in their last 2 games, on paper he balances that ledger. He just adds so much at the back.

The Bulls attempts to run and play out wide on the NZ part of the tour is awesome, great to see them adding that dimension to their game, and not relying on the rolling maul as their main strike weapon is cool, makes them much more exciting to watch.

Like Darwin said though they need to watch getting isolated from the forwards, this is something I feel is happening more and more now is the turnover ball due to isolation, teams are now putting a forward in the backline more often then ever and that broken play counter attack is prime pickings for turnovers if your forwards are big and the running game is wearing them out.

He was back last week wasn't he?

 

[TRF_heineken]

He was back last week wasn't he?

Nope, The ARU pulled him out due to medical concerns.

Gonna be a tough battle this one. I hope the Bulls can pull through, but it's not likely with that loose trio combination we still try to play with.

 

[Darwin]

Folau try after 1 minute.... not a good sign for the Bulls!

 

[goodNumber10]

Good game this...

Foley really impresses me at 10. I really think the Wallabies should be looking at him.

The only thing he might be lacking is on the length of his kicking from hand.

 

[Darwin]

Good game this...

Foley really impresses me at 10. I really think the Wallabies should be looking at him.

The only thing he might be lacking is on the length of his kicking from hand.

Foley is pretty handy, but as you mention his kicking game needs work. Not only does he lack a bit of length on his kicks, but I think his decision making - deciding when to kick and what type of kick to do - needs a lot of work. Defense could do with a bit of work too. He certainly looks great in an open game (and does suit the current Waratahs gameplan), but I'm not sure how he would go in a tight test match (though to be fair these sort of games don't suit Cooper either...). He is equally comfortable at 15, and that is the position where I think the Australian selectors seem to rate him more highly. He spent a few games on the bench for the Wallabies at the end of last year covering he outside backs (Folau shifted to the wing when he came on).

 

[lynam1104]

For every penalty the Bulls give the Tahs throw a forward pass. Its just really disrupting the flow of this game.

 

[goodNumber10]

For every penalty the Bulls give the Tahs throw a forward pass. Its just really disrupting the flow of this game.

Yeah it's lost a lot of its shape.

 

[goodNumber10]

Foley is pretty handy, but as you mention his kicking game needs work. Not only does he lack a bit of length on his kicks, but I think his decision making - deciding when to kick and what type of kick to do - needs a lot of work. Defense could do with a bit of work too. He certainly looks great in an open game (and does suit the current Waratahs gameplan), but I'm not sure how he would go in a tight test match (though to be fair these sort of games don't suit Cooper either...). He is equally comfortable at 15, and that is the position where I think the Australian selectors seem to rate him more highly. He spent a few games on the bench for the Wallabies at the end of last year covering he outside backs (Folau shifted to the wing when he came on).

I'm not too worried about his kicking decision making. That can be worked on but his passing and running decision making is very good. He doesn't mind mixing it up on the tackle line or slotting in at 12.

Defence for the most part is solid.

I'm not sure there are any better options there... Even Cooper.

 

[Darwin]

I'm not too worried about his kicking decision making. That can be worked on but his passing and running decision making is very good. He doesn't mind mixing it up on the tackle line or slotting in at 12.

Defence for the most part is solid.

I'm not sure there are any better options there... Even Cooper.

Matt Toomua would be my choice. Not quite as good in an open game as Foley, but tactically a bit a better, and a fantastic defender. The only issue would be his goal-kicking I suppose. I do agree though that Foley should be considered (and I'm sure he will be), but I would be very surprised if we see anyone but Cooper starting in the Wallabies 10 jersey at the start of the season.

 

[goodNumber10]

I like Toomua at 12, but agree link won't look past Cooper.

 

[lynam1104]

The attacking potential of Copper 10 and Beal 12 for the wallbies is only matched by the hole they make in defense. Due to that I think Toomua at 12.

Also Skelton is having a great game.

 

[Big Ewis]

The attacking potential of Copper 10 and Beal 12 for the wallbies is only matched by the hole they make in defense. Due to that I think Toomua at 12.

indeed, copper toxicity is quite a threat to metabolism.

 

[Darwin]

I like Toomua at 12, but agree link won't look past Cooper.

Toomua does a good job at 12, but his lack of experience in the position is a bit of an issue. I like the way he takes the ball to the line at 10 (and puts pressure on the opposition 10), and I do think 10. Toomua 12. McCabe would be pretty effective at test level (it certainly works for the Brumbies), but I suppose the Wallabies need a goal-kicker....

The attacking potential of Copper 10 and Beal 12 for the wallbies is only matched by the hole they make in defense. Due to that I think Toomua at 12.

Also Skelton is having a great game.

Agreed. Personally I can't see Beale as a midfield option at test level (unless perhaps is he was paired with Toomua at 10).

 

[goodNumber10]

Toomua does a good job at 12, but his lack of experience in the position is a bit of an issue. I like the way he takes the ball to the line at 10 (and puts pressure on the opposition 10), and I do think 10. Toomua 12. McCabe would be pretty effective at test level (it certainly works for the Brumbies), but I suppose the Wallabies need a goal-kicker....



Agreed. Personally I can't see Beale as a midfield option at test level (unless perhaps is he was paired with Toomua at 10).

McCabe if he can stay fit and in form is an excellent option, he's developing a very good passing game under Larkham... Beale isn't really the answer at treat level.

 

[lynam1104]

Never really liked McCabe for the wallabies but I think that was down to Deans instructing him to use his head as a battering ram. Seemed too one dimensional, having said that he has looked better in this regard recently.