Super Rugby playoffs ready to kick off with thrilling contest between Blues and Waratahs - Rugby
The Super Rugby championship has reached the final build up to its climax after the completion of the round matches. The regular season matches concluded last week with the six top teams on the points table heading towards the playoffs. The knock stage will
begin with a highly anticipated clash between the New Zealander derby Blues and Australian conference Waratahs, on Friday, June 24.
The Blues ended the round matches with fourth position at the point’s tables and second among the other New Zealander derbies. Meanwhile the Waratahs managed to come up at the fifth position with their last round match victory over the Brumbies as they delivered
their best performance in the current Super Rugby on June 18. The Waratahs defeated the Brumbies with a huge margin of 41-7 become second Australian team to qualify for the play-offs.
Both the teams have paved their way into the quarter final stages after big efforts and they are committed to play the semi final, beginning in the first week of July. The Blues have got a little advantage over the Waratahs as they won their last match against
the Waratahs by 31-17 in the current championship. However both the team have won five matches each in their last ten meetings. At the same time the overall record favours the Blues as they have grabbed 10 victories in 16 meetings.
The Blues will largely depend on their skipper Keven Mealamu, John Afoa, Joe Rokocoko and Jerome Kaino. All these guys have contributed for their team in the so far played matches.
On the other hand the Waratahs will be expecting big efforts by Dean Mumm, Kurtley Beale, Benn Robinson and partly from their skipper Phil Waugh who will start the match on the bench due fitness problem.
The Blues have got an edge over the Waratahs as the Australian team has been suffering from huge injury crises in the championship. Furthermore the Blues have also got the home advantage over the Waratahs.
Blues: 15 Jared Payne, 14 Joe Rokocoko, 13 Benson Stanley, 12 Luke McAlister, 11 Lachie Munro, 10 Stephen Brett, 9 Alby Mathewson, 8 Peter Saili, 7 Luke Braid, 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Ali Williams, 4 Anthony Boric, 3 John Afoa, 2 Keven Mealamu
(c), 1 Charlie Faumuina.
Replacements: 16 Tom McCartney, 17 Tevita Mailau, 18 Chris Lowrey, 19 Daniel Braid, 20 Chris Smylie, 21 Winston Stanley, 22 Sherwin Stowers.
Waratahs : 15. Lachie Turner , 14. Atieli Pakalani , 13. Ryan Cross , 12. Tom Carter , 11. Sosene Anesi , 10. Kurtley Beale , 9. Josh Holmes , 8. Dave Dennis , 7. Phil Waugh (c), 6. Dean Mumm , 5. Sitaleki Timani , 4. Kane Douglas , 3. Paddy
Ryan , 2. John Ulugia , 1. Benn Robinson ,
Reserves: 16. Elvis Taione , 17. Jeremy Tilse , 18. Pat O'Connor , 19. Chris Alcock , 20. Hugh Perrett , 21. Brendan McKibbin , 22. Bernard Foley.
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