Super Rugby: Waratahs vs. Chiefs in Sydney (19/04/2013)

[TRF_Ezequiel]

Allianz Stadium, Sydney

Referee: Craig Joubert

Assistant Referees: Andrew Lees

& Angus Gardner

TMO: Peter Marshall

The Waratahs are grasping the last straw in the run for the play-offs. After 9 matches, the franchise has 21 points and are 3rd in the conference. They are playing last years Super Rugby champions, the Chiefs, who currently are leading the NZ conference. Both teams are looking for their first win in 3 weeks after losing 1 and having a bye in the 2 most recent weekends. Gareth Anscombe is the leading point scorer at the moment with 110 points. The Chiefs are 2nd on the overall log, but are only leading the Blues by 2 points for the NZ conference top spot. This game could be decided very early if the Chiefs get their attack going. They are arguably the best team in the competition on attack.

Some stats:
The Chiefs have managed to score 4 tries or more in 4 of their games so far. The Waratahs have not managed to get a single one. They scored 3 tries in 3 of their games though.

The Chiefs have scored 30 points or more in 4 of their games as well.


History in Sydney:
2011: Waratahs 23-16 Chiefs
2009: Waratahs 22-7 Chiefs
2007: Waratahs 23-18 Chiefs
2005: Waratahs 25-7 Chiefs
2003: Waratahs 25-14 Chiefs
2001: Waratahs 42-23 Chiefs
1999: Waratahs 36-30 Chiefs
1997: Waratahs 26-33 Chiefs

The Chiefs have managed to win once in Sydney, which was the first encounter between the two teams on Australian soil, back in 1997.

Other matches this weekend:

http://www.therugbyforum.com/forum/...urricanes-vs-Force-in-Wellington-(19-04-2013)

http://www.therugbyforum.com/forum/...s-vs-Highlanders-in-Christchurch-(20-04-2013)

http://www.therugbyforum.com/forum/...gby-Reds-vs-Brumbies-in-Brisbane-(20-04-2013)

http://www.therugbyforum.com/forum/...gby-Sharks-vs-Cheetahs-in-Durban-(20-04-2013)

http://www.therugbyforum.com/forum/...Kings-vs-Bulls-in-Port-Elizabeth-(20-04-2013)


BYE

 

[admartian]

Warratahs by 20+.

Pessimistic about NZ teams these days...

 

[Darwin]

Warratahs by 20+.

Pessimistic about NZ teams these days...

:lol:

I would be very surprised if the Waratahs even manage to score 20 points.....

I don't expect it will be an easy game for the Chiefs, but I would pick them to win this by 10-15 points.

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Chiefs team:

[/FONT]

1. Pauliasi Manu
2. Hika Elliot
3. Ben Tameifuna
4. Michael Fitzgerald
5. Brodie Retallick
6. Liam Messam ©
7. Sam Cane
8. Fritz Lee
9. Brendon Leonard
10. Aaron Cruden
11. Asaeli Tikoirotuma
12. Richard Kahui
13. Charlie Ngatai
14. Lelia Masaga
15. Andrew Horrell
    
    
16. Rhys Marshall
17. Michael Kainga
18. Nick Crosswell
19. Tanerau Latimer
20. August Pulu
21. Gareth Anscombe
22. Tim Nanai-Williams

 

[Tekadus7]

In my opinion, that is a much better looking team than the one that faced the Reds. Ngatai gets a well-deserved start and Horrell moves in at fullback.

 

[Amobokoboko]

Idd, looks like a good side. Chiefs will be hungry to get another victory.

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

Very interesting that they've switched Kahui to 12 - I suppose he'll be taking over SBW's job.

At the start of the year I'm sure many would've called this the top XV, bar the injury enforced changes.

 

[cyclone101]

Is Cruden taking over the kicking duties again with Anscombe on the bench?

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

Suppose he must be...

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

One of Horrell and Cruden will take the short range kicks, depending on whether or not Cruden's up to it. The longer range kicking will be done by Ngatai.

 

[TRF_Cymro]

1. Benn Robinson (Eastwood)
2. Tatafu Polota-Nau (Parramatta)
3. Sekope Kepu (Randwick)
4. Sitaleki Timani (Southern Districts)
5. Kane Douglas (Southern Districts)
6. Dave Dennis (Sydney University, captain)
7. Michael Hooper (Manly)
8. Wycliff Palu (Manly)
9. Brendan McKibbin (Eastern Suburbs)
10. Bernard Foley (Sydney University)
11. Drew Mitchell (Balmain)
12. Rob Horne (Southern Districts)
13. Adam Ashley-Cooper (Northern Suburbs)
14. Cam Crawford (Northern Districts)
15. Israel Folau (Sydney University)

Replacements
John Ulugia (Eastern Suburbs)
Paddy Ryan (Sydney University)
Mitchell Chapman (Eastern Suburbs)
Will Skelton (Sydney University)
Pat McCutcheon (Sydney University)
Matt Lucas (Manly)
Ben Volavola (Southern Districts)
Peter Betham (Sydney University)

 

[Darwin]

Pretty strong looking Chiefs side. I'm slightly surprised Manu has again come into the starting lineup ahead of Smith at LH - is Smith injured again? The Chiefs will be happy that their investment in Fitzgerald is paying off - he is starting to play some good rugby, and Clarke has missed quite a few games this season. I think this is the best loose-trio for the Chiefs - I'm not a big fan of Lee, but Messam plays much better in the 6 jersey.

Leonard is due a start, and I like the midfield of Ngatai and Kahui - they just seem to be wearing the wrong jerseys <_< It is not as though Ngatai is more comfortable at 13 - indeed he has played almost all of his rugby at 12 or 15. It is good to see Horrell back in the starting lineup, but I would have preferred to see Nanai-Williams starting too (ahead of Tikoirotimu).

The Waratahs lineup looks very strong - it is the best 15 they could field in my opinion apart from Crawford on the wing (I would have gone for Betham or even Turner/Kingston).

I'm picking the Chiefs to be pretty fired up for this match after a pretty disappointing display last weekend. As I stated before I'm picking them by 10-15 points.

 

[Larksea]

Good Leonard is starting, I think Leonard for 60min and Pulu for 20 is the best for the chiefs and I expect Leonard to play better in a starting role after his layoff.

Like the changes, Rest Anscombe still think they should stick with Toby Smith.

Still no Robinson but I did hear he picked up another injury? Also interesting no Osborne I though he made an impression last week. but there is a bit of a log jam of talent in the chiefs outside backs.

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

Robinson should be back in about three weeks, Osborne has a minor back injury so wasn't considered. I think Rennie said he would've started otherwise.

 

[tenpm]

The Waratahs are playing like last year's Chiefs and the Chiefs are playing like last year's Waratahs.

 

[Gena_ZA]

Waratahs good first half but chiefs starting to fight back now in the 2nd
Can the Tahs hold on??

 

[sifplay]

Great defense there from Tah's to let Anscombe through under the sticks. Are Chiefs playing with the wind?

 

[sifplay]

Waratahs: experts at letting teams back into the game since 1996

 

[lynam1104]

Good win by the Tahs, Cheifs looked a bit sloppy today didn't have the same cutting edge.

 

[austingtir]

Good win by the Tahs, Cheifs looked a bit sloppy today didn't have the same cutting edge.

Two or three games in a row now that the chiefs have just been out enthused. No excuse really.

One try in particular the tahs just seemed to steam roll up the field and score a pretty easy try in the end but really they just blew the chiefs defence to pieces. Was actually pretty impressed with the waratahs in patches.