As teams enter in the 6th Week of the Super 15 some teams have some major re thinking to do. One of the team is Waratah losing to Cheetahs last Saturday to record a biggest upset of the Super 15 this season. Waratah’s will be moving to the Australian
Capital to face the brumbies, with the locals observing the National Close the Gap Day (NCGD) on 24th March, for Waratah’s coach Chris Hickey the main objective is more or less same as that of NCGD by focusing on the basics of the game to ensure
that the team mind stays in the game and do the basic things right that will enable them to win the games on the field, which his team failed to do in their last game.
While the Waratah’s will be overcoming an upset Brumbies will also be climatizing themselves with the former Springbok Coach 48 year old Jake White whose work with the Gold and Green Jersey team was close to be perfect as the winning ratio for springboks
in his last year as coach was 82% and also took Springboks at 1st place on IRB rankings. While Waratah’s will enter the match on a considerably favorite note yet the presence of a protease associated figure will be playing in their mind particularly
after their poor game last Saturday in which they have missed the simple set pieces at frequent intervals. Additionally fitness problems are also hampering the Waratah’s build up to the game with Benn Robinson was ruled out of their fixture with the brumbies
due to rib injury caused during the 1st quarter of their match against the Cheetah’s in Sydney. The positive news meanwhile is the expected return of Polota-Nau and skipper Phil Waugh that would boost the Waratah’s line up however the decision to
play both will surely test the judgment of their coach Chris Hickey whether he’ll take the risk of playing both the players that might led to aggravate the injuries which both players are already carrying.
Similarly things for Brumbies aren’t that much good as their preferred line up won’t be able to “Stand as One” in their next match due to fitness problems. Players injured so far include Stephan Moore, Rocky Elsom, Stephen Hoiles and flanker Mitchell Chapman.
The list also included the name of Brumby Jack hadn’t he recovered few week ago. The fitness is their main concern particularly to sustain in the 80 minutes game. Against their game with crusaders, Brumbies were placed at a relatively moderate position at
the end of the 1st 40 minutes. However in the second half the brumbies were found clueless against the Crusader heats and even Mr. Fix it Ashley Cooper failed to control the flow of the crusaders.
The Waratah’s had an impressive opening in the season and currently are on the second spot with two wins from four but lost their last two matches. Brumbies on the hand have won a single game out of the four they have played yet they had some close encounters
except for their last outing against crusaders who have thrashed them with a score of 52 – 10.
Coming Saturday evening will provide us to see the players fighting their injuries and teams fighting their on and off field issues. While the Waratah’s start as favorites, Brumbies have the potential to give them a close fight and might fancy their chances
to secure their second win provided that the Waratah’s will be playing under pressure of not losing two consecutive matches against relatively weaker sides.