SUPER RUGBY PACIFIC, ROUND 12, MAY 13th, 2023. MELBOURNE REBELS v NSW WARATAHS
ALLIANZ STADIUM,SYDNEY
The Waratahs have already showed in the opening two rounds that they are going to challenge some sides this season. They lost their opener to the Brumbies 31-25 at home but bounced back last week.
Against Fijian Drua, the Tahs’ were tied at 17-all at half time. It was a struggle in the first 40 but in the second half they got their act together.
The Waratahs cause was aided by the poor discipline of the Drua, but they still scored the points, winning 47-17 in Melbourne.
The Rebels have lost their opening two matches of the season but have picked up a losing bonus point in each. They are currently 10th on the table.
Over the opening two rounds the Rebels will consider themselves slightly unfortunate. They have suffered two narrow defeats that could easily have gone the other way.
In round 1 the Melbourne-based outfit led the Force by a decent margin in the first half, only to throw that away in the second to lose 34-27. On home soil last week, a valiant effort by the Rebels saw them lose 39-33 to the Hurricanes.
Rebels have come within 7 points in their last 2 matches.
Rebels lost by 5 points in their last match against the Waratahs.
Waratahs’ won their last match.
Waratahs. Te Tera Faulkner, Dave Porecki, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Jed Holloway, Hugh Sinclair, Will Harris, Michael Hooper, Langi Gleeson, Jake Gordon (c), Ben Donaldson, Dylan Pietsch, Lalakai Foketi, Izaia Perese, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Max Jorgensen
Reserves. Mahe Vailanu, Nephi Leatigaga, Archer Holz, Ola Tauelangi, Charlie Gamble, Teddy Wilson, Joey Walton, Harry Wilson
Waratahs Head Coach Darren Coleman has made just the one change to his starting team that defeated the Reds last week in Townsville.
The front-row remains the same with David Porecki joining Harry Johnson-Holmes and Te Tera Faulkner in an all-Wallaby front row.
Hugh Sinclair, who led the team in tackles against the Reds (20), partners the competitions leading lineout winner Jed Holloway (69) in the second row.
Will Harris is the only change to the starting team, replacing Taleni Seu at blindside flanker, joining Langi Gleeson and Michael Hooper in the backrow. Seu came off the field at half-time against the Reds with a minor shoulder complaint and was ruled out late in the week.
Gleeson was again impressive for the Waratahs, leading the team for carries against the Reds (12), and is averaging the 3rd most run metres per 80 minutes in the competition (115.6) – the most by any forward.
Jake Gordon continues his all-Wallaby partnership with Ben Donaldson in the halves, while Lalakai Foketi, fresh off scoring one of the tries of the season, partners Izaia Perese in the midfield.
Rebels. Matt Gibbon, Jordan Uelese, Sam Talakai, Josh Canham, Trevor Hosea, Vaiolini Ekuasi, Brad Wilkin (c), Richard Hardwick, Ryan Louwrens, Carter Gordon, Monty Ioane, David Feliuai, Reece Hodge, Lachie Anderson, Andrew Kellaway
Reserves. Alex Mafi, Cabous Eloff, Pone Fa’amausili, Tim Cardell, Tamati Ioane, James Tuttle, Stacey Ili, Joe Pincus
Referee. Damon Murphy
Assistant Referees. Jordan Way, David Conway
The Waratahs sit in 7th position on the table and the Rebels sit in 10th position so both sides need a win to make the top eight playoffs.
PREDICTION.
I have to go with the Waratahs here. They got a win against the Reds in Townsville and may be on a bit of a roll. Especially at home in front of their fans with a Wallaby front row and a Wallaby pairing in the halves they should get home by 6 points.
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