Big Names Return to take on the Waratahs: Game Preview
We travel to Sydney for this one, playing at 45,000-seater Allianz Stadium for the first time. The Waratahs join us near the bottom of the table, both keen to turn their seasons around after far more losses than wins.
Our boys are coming off their bye week, strong and refreshed and ready to climb back into it. Their training session at Rugby Park on Wednesday was full noise and confidence is still high after beating the Chiefs in Christchurch in Round 6
Key team news
Ethan is back. It’s the news many had been waiting for, and it’s finally happened. Our boy is back and starting at 6. God we’re pumped for this one.
Also back from injury breaks are Christian Lio-Willie and Brodie McAlister. Love it.
Noah Hotham did enough against the Chiefs to earn the starting halfback spot, as did Johnny McNicholl who starts on the left wing.
Last time we met
The Waratahs beat us in Melbourne’s Super Round earlier this season, final score 37-24.
Highlights from that one included watching Macca prance down the sideline to dot down within two minutes, and the double from Sevu Reece who starts again on the right wing on Friday.
The Waratahs have a decent number of wins against us but we still take the cake most of the time. They’ve won nine of our 31 encounters.
Match ups
The Waratahs seem happy to have Ned Hanigan back at lock. He’s square off against our boy Jamie Hannah. They’re both 6 ft 5 in, so all eyes on these guys in the line out.
Cullen Grace is looking primed and ready to combat Waratah’s Langi Gleeson, while George Bower will look across at Hayden Thompson-Stringer who’s stepped in for Angus Bell, out for the season with a toe injury.
Noah Hotham has been given the keys to the 9 jersey this week, looking across at Jake Gordon who’s worn Waratahs colours for an age and captains the team. Can’t wait to see these two dance. Strong. Scrappy. Eager. How good.
Tane Edmed has been full of emotion when it comes to Waratahs wins, the blue 10 jersey clearly close to his heart. Riley Hohepa recently spoke about the legacy of the respective Crusaders jersey, so expect some fight from these two on Friday night.
All Black bolter Dallas McLeod is born and bred Cantabrian, couldn’t be more so. He’ll be looking across the midfield at Lalakai Foketi, NZ born but reps the green and gold.
Lachlan Swinton is a player of note in his own right, but is he fully aware of who he’s up against? Ethan Blackadder is back in the colours for the first time this season. Watch out Lachie.