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Like Lazarus, the Rebels emerged from 15-34 to win 48-34 against the Western Force yesterday in Melbourne. How much did they need that? It has not been an easy run for them, so they will relish a great win at home.
Wallabies five-eighth Carter Gordon returned to form with two well taken tries. Fullback Andrew Kellaway also got dotted down two tries, giving lots of food for thought for Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt.
Here are the lineups for tonight below.
For the Waratahs, a big in is Mark Nawaqanitawase who was an injury doubt during the week, but he has got through his fitness test.
Harry Wilson comes into the starting centre position and Hugh Sinclair comes into the backrow to add some grit after the Tahs were blown away by the Reds at the breakdown.
CRUSADERS (1-15): George Bower, George Bell, Fletcher Newell, Scott Barrett (c), Quinten Strange, Dominic Gardiner, Tom Christie, Cullen Grace, Noah Hotham, Taha Kemara, Macca Springer, David Havili, Levi Aumua, Sevu Reece, Chay Fihaki
RESERVES: Quentin MacDonald, Joe Moody, Owen Franks, Jamie Hannah, Christian Lio-Willie, Mitchell Drummond, Ryan Crotty, Dallas McLeod
WARATAHS (1-15):Angus Bell, Mahe Vailanu, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Jed Holloway, Hugh Sinclair, Fergus Lee-Warner, Charlie Gamble, Langi Gleeson, Jake Gordon (c), Tane Edmed, Dylan Pietsch, Joey Walton, Harry Wilson, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Max Jorgensen
RESERVES: Julian Heaven, Hayden Thompson-Stringer, Dan Botha, Miles Amatosero, Ned Hanigan, Teddy Wilson, Mosese Tuipulotu, Triston Reilly
Joey Walton against the Reds in Round OneCredit: Getty
My colleague Tom Decent did a very interesting interview with the current Crusaders coach Rob Penney on Thursday who had a fairly bruising end to his own coaching career at the Tahs’, giving him a unique take of the pressure on Darren Coleman.
“I’ve heard that Darren Coleman had a bit of an ultimatum put to him. I just don’t get that,” Penney said. “No one flourishes under that sort of pressure. It’s just not good. Darren Coleman doesn’t deserve that. They’re still going through the same little scenarios. My thoughts are with him,” Penney said.
Coleman subsequently thanked Penney for his support, but also said that he needs to get his team performing regardless.
He certainly has a tough task on his hands tonight.
Read more of the interview here
It’s Saturday night, Super Round and the Waratahs are taking on the defending champions in Melbourne. I’m Jonathan Drennan and I’m taking you through the action tonight.
To beat the Crusaders is a seriously tall task at the best of times, but after the men from Christchurch fell short against the Chiefs in Round One, it’s got even tougher for the Tahs with the champions having a point to prove.
There are some slight shoots of optimism for the Tahs’ frequently fatigued fanbase, the team showed some great resolve in the first half against the Reds in their own Round One defeat before falling away at the end.
Coach Darren Coleman is piloting the Tahs’ through one of the toughest early schedules available in Super Rugby, but can he spring a serious surprise?
Let’s see...