The Waratahs host the Crusaders in Round 11 of Super Rugby Pacific at Leichhardt Oval on Saturday, a tough task for the home side who were soundly beaten by New Zealand opposition last week.
Waratahs v Crusaders, Saturday 30th April, Leichhardt Oval, KO 09:05 (South African time)
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe
Assistants: Reuben Keane, Matt Kellahan
TMO :James Leckie
Weather Forecast – Leichhardt Oval
Waratahs:
The Waratahs first match up with a New Zealand side came against the Chiefs in Super Round in Melbourne last week. They were given around 16.5 points start on the handicap and it wasn't enough as they went down 51-27.
The Tahs have twice beaten both the Force and Fijian Drua and one earlier win came against the Rebels.
The Waratahs now have a record of 5 wins and 4 defeats and with 24 log points they finished the previous round in seventh in the overall standings, third best of the Australian sides.
Crusaders:
The Crusaders put the Rebels away 42-17 in Melbourne last week. They were just 7-3 to the good at half time but powered in the second 40 minutes, scoring 6 tries to 2 to pick up a bonus point.
Prior to that an 18 year unbeaten run against the Blues in Christchurch came to an end for the Crusaders who went down 27-23. The Crusaders only other defeat so far came at home to the Chiefs (24-21) in Round 4.
With a record of 7 wins and 2 defeats the Saders come into the weekend third in the standings with 33 log points, 2 points shy of the Brumbies and 3 behind the Blues.
The Crusaders are currently trading at around 13/8 favourites in the outright betting to win the tournament with the Blues having shortened into 7/4.
Team News (subject to change)
Waratahs: Angus Bell, Mahe Vailanu, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Jed Holloway, Hugh Sinclair, Charlie Gamble, Michael Hooper, Rahboni Warren-Vosayaco, Jake Gordon, Tane Edmed, Dylan Pietsch, Lalakai Foketi, Izaia Perese, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Alex Newsome
Reserves: Tetera Faulkner, Archer Holz, Geoff Cridge, Will Harris, Jack Grant, Ben Donaldson, James Ramm
Crusaders: George Bower, Codie Taylor (c), Oli Jager, Zach Gallagher, Sam Whitelock, Pablo Matera, Tom Christie, Cullen Grace, Bryn Hall, Fergus Burke, Leicester Fainga'anuku, David Havili, Jack Goodhue, Sevu Reece, Will Jordan
Reserves: Ricky Jackson, Tamaiti Williams, Fletcher Newell, Dominic Gardiner, Sione Havili Talitui, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Simon Hickey, Dallas McLeod
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Waratahs +22.5 points at 9/10
Crusaders -22.5 points at 9/10
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change.
Betting Angle
I handicapped this game Waratahs (+17.5) so was already leaning towards the home team on the handicap here. My eye then caught a post from Brad Breath on the Goodforthegame Forum when I got up this morning and he highlighted the fact that the Crusaders are missing a few of their front line players and that their bench looks vulnerable.
This looks like one of those handicaps that might come in a bit and although I am always nervous when opposing the Crusaders I am going to grab the plus nice and early.
BET: 5 Units Waratahs (+22.5) at 9/10 at Sunbet
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Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change.
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