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Rebels set to target young hooker while Waratahs make shock selection in midfield
By AAP
Melbourne feel the Brumbies may have revealed a road-map to Super Rugby AU success over the NSW Waratahs that they can follow in Saturday's crunch match.
The Rebels can end the Waratahs' push for a finals berth at Leichhardt Oval, and seal a spot for themselves in the process.
The Waratahs lineout faltered in their last round loss to the competition- leading Brumbies, losing five of their own.
Melbourne coach Dave Wessels said the Brumbies exposed a NSW vulnerability in young hooker Tom Horton, who only made his Super Rugby starting debut this year.
"The Brumbies did a great job on them, particularly around their lineout," Wessels said on Thursday.
"I think that's a source area that gives the Waratahs a lot of energy and the Brumbies got right into that.
"Tom Horton is playing very well but he's still young and I felt the Brumbies did a good job of getting into his head a bit."
Melbourne won their round four meeting 29-10, which Wessels rated as one of their best performance of the season.
He said his team needed to reproduce that, given what was on the line.
"I feel really confident of where our game is at when we're playing at our best and our focus is to do that consistently over 80 minutes and we've only done that a handful of times this season, and probably that Waratahs game was one of them.
"We have the potential to play really well but the Waratahs will obviously be up for it so we need to arrive ready for the battle."
Rebels skipper Dane Haylett-Petty (knee) came close to selection while the Waratahs will again be without midfield gun Karmichael Hunt (hamstring).
Former NRL second-rower Tepai Moeroa is a shock choice in his place at inside centre, earning his first start in Super Rugby AU, despite making only a brief appearance in round one.
Backrower Will Harris also returns to the reserves after an extended injury lay-off due to an ankle injury.
Rebels: Reece Hodge, Andrew Kellaway, Campbell Magnay, Matt Toomua (c), Marika Koroibete, Andrew Deegan, Frank Lomani, Isi Naisarani, Brad Wilkin, Michael Wells, Trevor Hosea, Matt Philip, Jermaine Ainsley, Jordan Uelese, Cameron Orr. Reserves: Efitusi Ma'afu, Cabous Eloff, Pone Fa'amaluli, Michael Stolberg, Richard Hardwick, James Tuttle, Billy Meakes. Tom Pincus.
Waratahs: Jack Maddocks, James Ramm, Joey Walton, Tepai Moeroa, Alex Newsome, Will Harrison, Jake Gordon, Jack Dempsey, Michael Hooper, Lachlan Swinton, Rob Simmons (c), Ned Hanigan, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Tom Horton, Tom Robertson. Res: Robbie Abel, Tetera Faulkner, Angus Bell, Tom Staniforth, Will Harris, Mitch Short, Ben Donaldson, Nick Malouf.
- Melissa Woods
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Latest Comments
What is clear is that the current situation is not sustainable
-SA sides travelling back and forth In Europe on successive weekends before playing big URC matches means they have to rest players somewhere or lose them for big matches in either comp
-European sides traveling to SA one week and playing in Europe the next is a huge disadvantage for them as well compared to those sides who just stay in Europe and they have to manage player loads as well
-Springbok players currently play the year round and must be rested during the regular season according to player welfare regulations and the national teams mandated rest periods. This means the franchises have to choose when and where they will rest players which puts them on the back foot and leads to them prioritising either the URC or European comps
-The Currie Cup is essential because it provides a pathway for provincial teams and young players but it means anyone who plays in Currie Cup and in URC plays the year round and wears out players
-The Rugby Championship means that while Europeans players are resting the Springboks are playing and with injuries occurring many SA teams lose their best and brightest.
The Sharks showed what you can do when you go full tilt in Europe when they won the Challenge Cup by keeping players fresh and fit for the whole comp. SA sides can do well in Europe but they must start prioritising it. Something has to be done to get players to the levels they need to be. Perhaps SA derbies in December and January is not the best idea, perhaps have European fixtures stand alone in the Calendar during December and Jan is what SA sides need to put their best players in and try to win those games and get the best seeding for the knockouts. SA derbies can be played during the Six Nations or some other window which takes some pressure off the season but this can only happen if the URC allows it. What is clear is that Europe does not need to change for SA and if they do it has to be on their terms. SA must find a way to adapt and address this latest problem or they must opt out of European comps altogether. They have earned their keep in the URC. That is their bread and butter. Now they need to earn their keep in Europe or just stick with the URC. The choice is theirs.
Go to commentsTook me about as long as you last in bed - 2 seconds. You've taken the bait hook, line and sinker. It's so easy fishing up you keyboard warriors who get upset at every comment.
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