Waratahs unchanged for Highlanders

[elidecelis]

http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,18932799-23217,00.html


Waratahs unchanged for Highlanders
April 26, 2006

NEW South Wales Waratahs will keep the same squad that beat the Brumbies in round 10 for Friday's Super 14 clash with the Highlanders in Dunedin.

A 24-man squad departs for New Zealand this morning with Ben Jacobs and Leroy Houston also travelling for the two-match tour against the Highlanders and Chiefs.
"This is the final run home and we have to hit the ground running on Friday," head coach Ewen McKenzie said.
"We had a good win against the Brumbies and the bye gave us the chance to freshen up and refocus for the next part of the competition."
Chris Whitaker will play his 115th match for the Tahs on Friday, joining Matthew Burke as the most capped players to have represented the franchise.


NSW Waratahs: Peter Hewat; Wendell Sailor, Morgan Turinui, Sam Norton-Knight, Lote Tuqiri; Mat Rogers, Chris Whitaker (captain); David Lyons, Phil Waugh, Rocky Elsom; Daniel Vickerman, Alex Kanaar; Al Baxter, Adam Freier, Benn Robinson. Replacements: Tatafu Polota-Nau, Matt Dunning, Will Caldwell, Stephen Hoiles, Brett Sheehan, Daniel Halangahu, Shaun Berne, Leroy Houston, Ben Jacobs.

AAP

 

[aussies1st]

Good side as always. I hope we see Houston on the bench sometime this season.

 

[Twizzle]

if it aint broke, dont fix it

 

[Mal Meninga]

I don't think Houstons ready for it..

 

[aussies1st]

if it aint broke, dont fix it

Fix what Twiz? ;-)

 

[Palms]

I don't think Houstons ready for it..

I think he is. Saw him playing for NSW A and he ripped the Brumbies runners to shreds and has been very strong and damaging in the games he has played for Eastwood so far. I don't think a 10-15 minute run at the end of the game would hurt at all as far as experience goes either.

 

[aussies1st]

Good win for the Tahs, the Highlanders had nothing apart from their brillant scrum. Clearly Robinson hasn't fixed anything.

 

[ThrashViking]

Highlanders were always going to struggle without Evans or Ryan, Callum Bruce is a pathetic play maker.
He cant tackle, catch or kick.
Apart from the usual wobbly scrum (Which got alot worse when Dunning came on)the Waratahs were outstanding in particular their line out, defence & kicking game.

 

[Palms]

Good win for the Tahs, the Highlanders had nothing apart from their brillant scrum. Clearly Robinson hasn't fixed anything.

He was up against the best tight head in the world at the moment, with Robinson only 21 and in his first year. Your a harsh judge.

 

[aussies1st]

He was playing well above his age before this match so that shouldn't matter much. I've seen All Black props at 20 beating the French and English scrum so age shouldn't come into it.

 

[SpaceMonkey]

He was playing well above his age before this match so that shouldn't matter much. I've seen All Black props at 20 beating the French and English scrum so age shouldn't come into it.

Still given that Hayman has schooled EVERY prop in the game who's anyone (and I doubt I'm exaggerating there) getting done by him is hardly a disgrace.

 

[aussies1st]

Still given that Hayman has schooled EVERY prop in the game who's anyone (and I doubt I'm exaggerating there) getting done by him is hardly a disgrace.

Fair point, he is the master of propping these days. And the Tahs scrum has won a few tightheads this year.

 

[douglasallen91]

ref and lineman have to go what a shocker. quick throw in WTF? and if you are going to freekick someone for putting the ball in the scrum crooked at least u could be consistant

 

[aussies1st]

Ref was shocking but it didn't cost the Highlanders the game. They had their chances to score.

 

[douglasallen91]

don;t get me wrong i never said that, just made it a disappointing game to watch.

 

[aussies1st]

Thats true, although the weather basically made it a bore fest.

Anyway can't wait to see the Reds scrum take on the Highlanders one. We will be able to see where Rodzilla is against the best.