Waratahs v Reds, preview
April 12, 2007 - 3:38pm
Story by: Sportal
Venue & time
Aussie Stadium, Sydney. Saturday 19.40 (AEST).
Head to head
Played 11 (Super rugby): Reds 8, Waratahs 2, Drawn 1
Overall Played 286: Waratahs 182, Reds 92, Drawn 12. (Nice of them to add this bit :D )
Last time
February 11, 2006 (Brisbane). Waratahs 16-12 Reds.
Walking wounded and team changes
Waratahs coach Ewen McKenzie has promoted feisty young flanker Beau Robinson to the starting side while the Tahs have another new centre pairing with Morgan Turinui at 12 and Ben Jacobs at outside centre. Wallabies No.8 Wycliff Palu also makes a welcome return to the squad from a hamstring injury.
Eddie Jones is yet to name his side but there shouldn't be too many major changes to last week's line-up except for the possibility of Reds utility back Andrew Walker, who trained lightly this week but is in doubt. Brando Va'aulu will be his replacement. There is also a chance Berrick Barnes may move back to flyhalf in place of teenager Quade Cooper with Andrew Brown to return at centre.
Form
Both sides are having a shocking year and can lay some blame upon injuries to key players. Neither has won since round one way back in February. Recently, the Waratahs were poor against the Bulls and Stormers then turned it around to almost beat the Crusaders before being outclassed by the Brumbies last week. They play patches of good rugby but it is all too rare.
The Reds were flogged last start by the Sharks but were somehow still in it at half-time. They were competitive against the Highlanders, Lions and Chiefs but still managed to lose. They have been experimenting with a young line-up who is unfamiliar with how to win.
Who's hot
Waratahs wingers Lote Tuqiri and Lachlan Turner continue to be the best of an underperforming bunch while the front row of hooker Adam Freier and props Benn Robinson and Al Baxter matched it with their Brumbies counterparts last start. David Lyons has been getting fitter and better each start.
Reds skipper John Roe has been a beacon of light in the Reds forwards this season while Croft always gives 100 per cent. Cooper is electric at times but mistake ridden, Walker is always dangerous, while Barnes is a quality player.
Teams
Waratahs:
1. Benn Robinson,
2. Adam Freier (c),
3. Al Baxter,
4. Ben Hand,
5. Will Caldwell,
6. Rocky Elsom,
7. Beau Robinson ,
8. David Lyons,
9. Josh Valentine,
10 .Sam Norton-Knight,
11. Lote Tuqiri,
12. Morgan Turinui [vc],
13. Ben Jacobs,
14. Lachie Turner,
15. Peter Hewat.
16. Tatafu Polota-Nau,
17. Matt Dunning,
18. Dean Mumm,
19. Wycliff Palu,
20. Josh Holmes,
21. Kurtley Beale,
22. Sam Harris.
Reds (Confirmed):
1. Tama Tuirirangi,
2. Stephen Moore,
3. David Te Moana,
4. Hugh McMeniman,
5. James Horwill,
6. Mitch Chapman,
7. David Croft,
8. John Roe, (c),
9. Nic Berry,
10. Berrick Barnes,
11. Peter Hynes,
12. Andrew Brown
13. Ben Tune,
14. Andrew Walker,
15. Clinton Schifcofske.
16. Sean Hardman,
17. Herman Hunt,
18. Ed O'Donoghue,
19. Tom McVerry,
20. Will Genia,
21. Lloyd Johansson,
22. Quade Cooper.
