Game Preview: Round Two v Waratahs
It’s Super Round in Melbourne, the ultimate showcase of Super Rugby Pacific. All 12 teams under one roof across one long weekend. It’s AAMI Park, it’s Round 2, it’s game on.
The Crusaders face the Waratahs on Saturday night, our first Australian opponent of the season. The team crossed the ditch on Thursday in preparation for the bout.
Rob Penney coached the Waratahs from 2019-2021 so will have an understanding of their mentality heading into a contest like this. We’ve played the Sydney-based side 30 times, coming away with the win on 22 occasions for a 73 per cent win rate.
Key team news
A few small changes to the squad this week, allowing for injury replacements and chances for others to stake a claim.
Noah and Taha, the boyhood friends, start together at 9 and 10 for the first time. Keep your eyes on these boys for smirks and playmaking chemistry.
Fletcher Newell gets his first start of the season while the rest of the starting forward pack remains solid.
David Havili is back in the red and black, ready to do some damage through the attack. Dallas McLeod and Ryan Crotty are on the bench ready to be called up. Should Taha come off in the second, who’ll slot into 10? These are the questions.
Last hit out
We hosted the Waratahs for Round 14 of the 2023 season, winning the contest 42-18. That felt good.
The year before they beat us 24-21 in Sydney. It’s discussed as a famous victory by them. That didn’t feel good.
Back in 2002 we hosted them in Christchurch and beat them by a record-setting 96-19. It was 63-0 at half time. Not many of us were there for that, but can only imagine what that one felt like. There was a standing ovation at half time.
What do our 2024 contests hold in store? We play them again Round 8 on 12 April. History yet to be written.
Match ups
Angus Bell and George Bower will look across each other ahead of the crouch, bind, set.. Both have played for their countries numerous times. Similar contest set to play out between Jed Holloway and Scott Barrett at lock.
Jake Gordon captains the side from halfback, with Noah Hotham his Crusaders counterpart. Gordon’s been round the traps a fair while, while Hotham’s just making a name for himself.
Dylan Pietsch was named man of the match when we lost to the Waratahs in 2022, the left winger set to lock eyes with Sevu Reece on the right wing.
Wallaby Mark Nawaqanitawase takes the right wing with Macca Springer on the left for the Crusaders.
Fullback Max Jorgensen is 19 years old and scored two tries on debut last season, backing it up with another in his second showing. He’ll find good competition with Chay Fihaki at fullback for the Crusaders, bouyed after his two tries versus the Chiefs last week and a man of match performance.
Key info
Referee: James Mabey
Assistant Referees: Brendon Pickerill, Dan Waenga
Kick off: 7.35pm in Melbourne, 9.35pm in New Zealand.
Get your tickets for our first home game v Hurricanes on Friday 15th March!