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Super 15: Waratahs - Highlanders @ Aussie Stadium, Sydney (11-06-2011, 10:40 GMT)

TRF_Ezequiel

TRF_Ezequiel

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Aussie Stadium, Sydney (11-06-2011, 10:40 GMT)
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The Waratahs come back from their trip to the republic, having to play the Highlanders. After losses to both the Sharks and the Bulls, 2 contenders for the play offs, they face their 3rd contender for the 2 spots. After the loss to the Western Force last week, the Highlanders look to have blown their chances to get to the play offs. If they win in Sydney, they grab the last straw to get there but playing the Waratahs on their home soil is always tricky.

Having only managed to beat the 'Tahs 4 times in 15 years, history doesn't look good for the Dunedin boys who play in green now. Their most recent victory was last year when they won 26-20. The 2 times the Highlanders won in Sydney were in 2007 (25-26) and 2004 (28-29), both winning by a 1-point margin. If the Highlanders win, they get close to actually making the play offs and the Waratahs will likely to be out. If it's the other way around, things look good for having a 2-2-2 split when it comes to the countries.





<a href="http://winbetting.at/therugbyforum?CTY=1&amp;CID=15908"><img src="http://b1.perfb.com/b1.php?ID=15908&amp;PURL=winbetting.at/therugbyforum" border="0" /></a>

*Vbookie odds supplied by BWIN*
 
I have no idea whats so ever who is going to win! we have rolled the bulls in the repulic but lost to the lions at home...i just dont know
 
Highlanders: Ben Smith, Kade Poki, Kendrick Lynn, Shaun Treeby, Siale Piutau, Tony Brown, Aaron Smith, Nasi Manu, Alando Soakai, Adam Thomson, Josh Bekhuis, Jarrad Hoeata, Bronson Murray, Jason Rutledge, Jamie Mackintosh (captain). Reserves: Mo Schwalger, Chris King, Nick Crosswell, John Hardie, Jimmy Cowan, Robbie Robinson.

A bit of a surprise to see Cowan dropped to the bench for such a key game. Aaron Smith has done a good job for the Highlanders, but does make some silly errors (the box-kick at he end of the last game that was over-kicked and lead directly to David Smiths seconds try). The Highlanders have struggled to close out the last two games, so perhaps Cowan in on the bench so he can be subbed on in the last 20-30 mins to close out the game (assuming the Highlanders are still in the game at that stage!). Good to see Jason Rutledge back in the starting lineup though, and I'm quite happy to have Tony Brown back at 10. Brown should be a steading influence on the backline, though certainly doesn't have the running game that Sopoaga (who is now in Italy with the Under 20's) has.

I'm not very confident going into this match. Luckily I've been hopeless at predicting the Highlanders results this season, so the fact I think the Tahs will win is probaby great news for the Highlanders! I will wait till I see the Waratahs team before I make my prediction though.
 
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aparently from what I've read Cowan has been benched because he's in his rest period enforced by the All Blacks coaches, same reason mealamu was benched last week.

Smith is a lot better player than that one bad kick last week hopefully he will put in a good showing. If he has a good game Cowan wont be missed too much.

Brown should be a good asset in a tough game like this.

Hard to pick but I hope the landers finish the Tah's season for good
 
Waratahs: Kurtley Beale, Lachie Turner, Tom Carter, Berrick Barnes, Sosene Anesi, Daniel Halangahu, Luke Burgess, Wycliff Palu, Phil Waugh, Dave Dennis, Sitaleki Timani, Dean Mumm, Al Baxter, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Benn Robinson.
Reserves: John Ulugia, Jeremy Tilse, Pat O'Connor, Chris Alcock, Hugh Perrett, Josh Holmes, Atieli Pakalani.

Good news for the Waratahs, with Lachie Turner, Dean Mumm, and Benn Robinson all passing fitness tests and hence being included in the starting lineup. Phil Waugh and Wycliff Palu also return from injury, meaning the Tahs are probably fielding one of the stronger lineups they have fielded all season.

The Highlanders need to go back to the style that was so effective for them earlier in the season, when the played like they had nothing to lose. Adam Thomson needs to have a huge game to show the AB selectors he is still around, as he has faded as the season has progressed. The Highlanders certainly need to be a lot more clinical than they have in recent weeks if they are going to have a chance in this game.
 
I choose to go out and play poker rather than watch this match, which proved to be a wise decision! I've only seen the highlights, but it appeared that Beale was on fire; he's the main Wallaby player that I really worry about when the AB's are facing Australia these days. The Highlanders certainly didn't look like they helped themselves, as the first three Waratahs tries were directly after Highlanders clearing kicks that didn't find touch. I'm sure they should have been able to work out that kicking the ball straight to Beale was not a good idea! The Highlanders lost their last two matches by not clearing the ball into touch, but it seems they haven't learnt, which is very disappointing....
 
highlanders played the whole game like they only had 30min to score 4 trys.

They had chances to kick penalties and build scoreboard pressure but didn't take them Beale was brilliant and the landers really didn't defend him well. Going at him as individuels rather than in a line after he gathers a kick is always going to fail. Have to agree with the above. Beale is one player who the All Blacks will have to pay special attention too this season. You simply can't let this guy just clock up ~150-200m on his feet in a game and expect to win. We have already seen it in hong kong last year, everyone blaimed Donald and his kick for losing the game when it was really brilliance from Beale that won that game for Australia and as Toeava found out you need a good line to defend his kick return it's pointless going at him as one man when he has room to move.

So the highlander season is over, they will sit and wonder how they lost their forward dominance they thrived on earlier in the season and may also wonder what may have been if that had Colin slade to Guide them through some of the close games. Been a huge shame for the Highlanders to lose such an important player for pretty much the whole season.
 

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