Preview: Waratahs v Blues

The Waratahs head to Auckland to take on the Blues this week and are looking for their second away win of the season. All eyes have been on the Blues this week after they announced that Benji Marshall will be parting ways with the club.

The Form

The Waratahs are currently sitting in 4th position on the Super Rugby ladder whilst the Blues are sitting in 10th position. Head to head in the last five matches they have played against each other, the Blues have won three and the Waratahs have won two. This season the Blues have had five losses and three wins whilst the Waratahs have had five wins and three losses.

The Teams

The Waratahs have named an unchanged starting team for this week’s match. Kurtley Beale is set to play after coming off early in the match against the Bulls. On the bench, Wycliff Palu comes in; however, there is still one replacement to be omitted before the game.

Waratahs have played three South African teams over the past month and they have all been arm wrestles. Michael Cheika said in the press conference after the Bulls match that he was looking forward to playing New Zealand sides as it would suit how the Waratah’s play. The The New Zealand sides tend to play more attacking rugby and thrive in broken play and Cheika believes his side has the firepower to prosper playing this style.

The Blues have made a few changes to their starting line up. Peter Saili comes into the starting side and pushes All Black, Steven Luatua to the bench. Blues coach John Kirwan said this was the compete against the “big, strong” Waratahs pack. Five-eight Simon Hickey replaces Chris Noakes after he was concussed in the Blues’ loss to the Hurricanes last week and All Black midfielder Ma’a Nonu returns to the side after suffering from a tight calf. Also, Frank Halai regains his wing spot and Piri Weepu comes onto the bench and is set to play for the first time since suffering a minor stroke.

Despite their position on the ladder this Blues side is not one to disregard. Their side is stacked with All Blacks and they are yet to lose a match at Eden Park this year. Ma’a Nonu and the Blues outside backs may prove to be a handful and will need to be contained.

Key match-ups

The Front Row

The front row battle will be an interesting contest. The All Black front row of Charlie Faumuina, Keven Mealamu and Tony Woodcock will take on Sekope Kepu, Tatafu Polota-Nau and Benn Robinson. Hopefully the scrum contest will not become a mess and slow the game down.

Jerome Kaino v Jacques Potgieter

Both players are extremely physical and I am looking forward to seeing each of them pull off some crunching tackles on Friday to help their team get the upper hand.

Prediction

Eden Park is a tough place to win (just ask the Wallabies) and the Waratahs have not been particularly successful on the road this season, or in recent years. Despite this I believe the Waratahs have the men and the game style to take out the match, but it will be close.

Waratahs by 4

Team lists

Blues: 15. Charles Piutau, 14. Frank Halai, 13. Francis Saili, 12. Ma’a Nonu, 11. Lolagi Visinia, 10. Simon Hickey, 9. Bryn Hall, 8. Peter Saili, 7. Luke Braid, 6. Jerome Kaino, 5. Tom Donnelly, 4. Patrick Tuipulotu, 3. Charlie Faumuina, 2. Keven Mealamu, 1. Tony Woodcock.

Replacements: 16. James Parsons, 17. Sam Prattley, 18. Angus Ta’avao, 19. Hayden Triggs, 20. Piri Weepu, 21. Steven Luatua, 22. Ihaia West, 23. Pita Ahki

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 (C), 7. Michael Hooper, 6. Jacques Potgieter, 5. Kane Douglas, 4. Will Skelton, 3. Sekope Kepu, 2. Tatafu Polota Nau, 1. Benn Robinson.

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