Blues all set to better their record against Waratahs at Auckland – Rugby news
Blues and Waratahs would like to improve/sustain their position on the Super XV combined standing table, as both teams will take on each other on Saturday April 16, 2011.
Auckland Blues will host the visitors from the Australia at the Eden Park.
Blues and Waratahs so far have played seven games each in the Super XV. Blues with five wins so far in super rugby competition are placed at the 4th position. Blues have played a drawn with the Western Force and ended up on the losing side once. Sharks defeated
the Blues at Durban during the round 02 of the Super XV.
Waratahs are currently placed at the 5th position just 2 points behind the Blues (29). Waratahs too have won 5 games out of the seven they have played so far. However, unlike Blues they lost twice with one of two coming against their Cheetahs during round
5 of super rugby.
Overall, both teams have played with each other 15 times, with Blues winning in 9 games. Four of the six wins for Waratahs came during their last five matches with Blues.
However, Waratahs have defeated the Blues only once in the Auckland. Waratahs register their first victory over the Blues in New Zealand in 2009 when they defeated the host 27-22. Match featured Daniel Halangahu scoring 21 points to help visitors register
their first win in Auckland in 81 years.
Waratahs will enter the Saturday match, looking forward to register their second consecutive win at the same venue. Blues players would be fresh as they are coming from a bye and would enjoy playing against the Waratahs at Auckland with every possibility
that they would not start slowly as most team do after coming from bye.
Blues will be without the services of their Prop Tony Woodcock who has sustained injury to his Calf in their match against the Cheetahs. Tevita Mailau has been named as his replacement for Saturday’s encounter.
While the Blues are still without the services of Daniel Braid and Ali Williams in their Forward Line, their attack has definitely strengthened with the return of Jerome Kaino. Filo Paulo after recovering from the eye injury has been included in the bench
alongside Pauliasi Manu.
Waratahs will be without their Star Tom Carter however, Daniel Halangahu replaced the Carter and has the ability to deliver exceptional performance and enjoys playing against the Blues, particularly at Auckland. He will take the field as Centre and usual
Full Back Lachie Turner will start as Winger.
Atieli Pakalani will not take part in the game due to his hamstring injury; Tom Kingston with his brilliant performances for Junior Waratahs will get his first game of the season. Pat O Connor and Sosene Anesi have strengthened the Waratahs bench.
Waratahs have won their last three games in Super XV and Blues without the services of their key players in the forward line are vulnerable. Although Blues would start as the favourites, a tight contest is anticipated with Blues edging home denying Waratahs
their losing bonus point.
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