Waratahs: Seek revenge against the high-flying Cheetahs
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The Waratahs return home to work on rebuilding their campaign when they take on the Cheetahs in Sydney on Friday.
After enduring a 35-6 humiliation in Canberra last weekend, the Waratahs will be under pressure to get their season back on track against a team still buzzing from an upset win over the Highlanders in Invercargill last weekend.
Friday's game will take on an extra level of intensity, as the Waratahs will still be reeling from their shock loss to the Cheetahs in 2011 which was the South African side's first-ever Super Rugby win overseas. And last season, the Waratahs were pipped 35-34 in Bloemfontein.
The Waratahs have made some wholesale changes for this encounter, with coach Michael Cheika not shy in wielding the axe as Wallaby winger Drew Mitchell found out.
In the six changes made from last weekend's loss, the most notable is the return of playmaker Berrick Barnes who has recovered from injury and will play at inside centre - replacing Tom Carter.
The Cheetahs are looking to make it two-from-two on their Australasian tour. And with form on their side as well as confidence in knowing they can defeat the 'Tahs in their own back yard, this Friday may well yield another surprise win for them.
The traditionally bottom-dwelling Cheetahs played with valour in defeating the Highlanders in New Zealand last week. They had control and mixed attacking rugby with rock-solid defence. And with an unchanged XV, coach Naka Drotske will look to maintain the same game-plan this weekend.
Looking at the visitors' line-up, they have a similar composition to the Brumbies - a strong breakdown featuring robust flanks - and the Waratahs will certainly have to go into the match with a different mindset.
With standout players like Hennie Daniller, Johan Goosen at fly-half and the dangerous Heinrich Brussow coming off the bench, the Cheetahs should be able to present a formidable backline.
Speedster Sarel Pretorius was the Waratahs' foreign import last season, but failed to make an impact and spent most of his Australian secondment on the bench.
However, he is back at the Cheetahs and has been in sizzling form, scoring twice in his team's three-try win last weekend, and will no doubt be looking to show his ex-club what they missed out on this time round.
Aloss at home will most likely shatter the Waratahs' fragile confidence level. And whilst it is early in the season, the fans may not be as forgiving and forgetful for a while. A loss also presents an opportunity for the Reds and Brumbies to break away in the Aussie Conference.
Prediction: Depending on which Cheetahs team turns up, it could either be a narrow and inspiring win for them, or a relapse back to their accustomed losing trend. But we think the Waratahs will bounce back this weekend and scrape through. 'Tahs by six!
The teams:
Waratahs: 15 Israel Folau, 14 Lachie Turner, 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12 Berrick Barnes, 11 Peter Betham, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Brendan McKibbin, 1 Benn Robinson, 2 John Ulugia, 3 Paddy Ryan, 4 Sitaleki Timani, 5 Kane Douglas, 6 Dave Dennis (captain), 7 Michael Hooper, 8 Pat McCutcheon.
Replacements: 16 Luke Holmes, 17 Jeremy Tilse, 18 Mitchell Chapman, 19 Lopeti Timani, 20 Matt Lucas, 21 Ben Volavola, 22 Rob Horne.
Cheetahs: 15 Hennie Daniller, 14 Willie le Roux, 13 Johann Sadie, 12 Robert Ebersohn, 11 Raymond Rhule, 10 Johan Goosen, 9 Sarel Pretorius, 8 Philip van der Walt, 7 Pieter Labuschagne, 6 Frans Viljoen, 5 Francois Uys, 4 Lodewyk de Jager, 3 Lourens Adriaanse, 2 Adriaan Strauss (c), 1 Trevor Nyakane.
Replacements: 16 Ryno Barnes, 17 Coenie Oosthuizen, 18 Landman Ligtoring, 19 Heinrich Brussow, 20 Piet van Zyl, 21 Riaan Smith, 22 Ryno Benjamin.
Date: Friday, 15 March
Kick-off: 19:40 local (08:40 GMT)
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Referee: Garratt Williamson
Assistant referees: Andrew Lees (Australia), James Leckie (Australia)
Television match official: Matt Goddard (Australia)
By Doron Katz
Comments
Wallaroo says...
@Claypole me too mate, a (long) suffering Tahs supporter. Pretorius is a good example of what type of idiots we have running the Tahs, the administration and management at the Tahs must be the most self destructive in the comp.
What really annoys me is the amount of talent we have and yet we can't win a bonus point loss.
@Eejbm, that's very unAustralian lol.
Posted 07:58 15th March 2013
trappa says...
Eejbm...my thoughts exactly. I do enjoy watching the tahs though...each week they find new and amusing ways to both loose and embarass
Posted 05:56 15th March 2013
Claypole says...
@ Trinats2
National pride is one thing, but your comments are so continually outrageous as to almost qualify for trolling.
Pretorious didn't get a start last year was no reflection on his true ability. He's a great player - as proved the year before he played for the Tahs, and now. The Waratahs (management) were the problem, not him. And on what basis do you think the Tah's are going to win by 18+? Last week's performance perhaps? Or last year's?
It's like you don't believe that players from other countries could actually be better than ones in Australia.
In case you're wondering, I'm a (long suffering) Tahs supporter. Perhaps that's why your comments are so embarrassing to read.
Posted 05:01 15th March 2013
Wallaroo says...
I hope the Tahs get a win for a change, after last week they should lift there game significantly.
Trinats, mate Pretorios was the best halfback at the Tahs last year, look how many tries he scored verses the number of games. Michael Foley was a dill, but that's the past lets hope he doesn't play well this weekend.
Posted 03:06 15th March 2013
Eejbm says...
I support the Reds and whoever plays the 'Tahs. Cheetahs by 10.
Posted 02:53 15th March 2013
ben7 says...
@Trinats2. Pretorius couldn't start with the Tah's because he doesn't fit into their dull, one dimesional style of play. P.S The Highlanders would smash the Tahs
Posted 22:48 14th March 2013
Zimboy says...
It was just a matter of time for the Cheetahs to get into gear and now that they have....expect them to spank the 'Tahs!!!
Posted 19:44 14th March 2013
bloemboy says...
Trinats, you trying for comedy hour? Cheetahs by daylight and some. I would estimate a margin of 15 and a bonus point for the Cheetahs. They have the forwards to bully the Tahs off the ball with only Hooper as a realistic competitor in the loose.
Posted 13:17 14th March 2013
JayStarr says...
Nope, sorry - Cheetahs taking this one ! They humiliated the Waratahs before and they will do it again tomorrow - possibly by an even bigger margin.
Posted 11:35 14th March 2013
Trinats2 says...
Cheetahs played bottom of the table lowLanders last week!
Pretorius couldn't even get a start with the Tahs. So Middle of the table Tahs should spark and win by 18 + !!!
Posted 11:34 14th March 2013