Blues to Bask in the Garden of Eden Against NSW

(Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)

Blues (5th) V Waratahs (3rd) @ Eden Park

HEAD TO HEAD: Played 13, Blues 9, Waratahs 4

In Auckland: Blues 5 Waratahs 0

Last time: Waratahs 37 Blues 16 @ Sydney Football stadium 5/4/08

It is simple equation, win and join or surpass the Bulls at the top of the table, or lose and potentially drop out of the top end of the table. 

For the home team, they will bask in the glory of the Garden of Eden, the stronghold of New Zealand rugby.  The Blues will be trying to avoid only the third time they have suffered back to back losses at New Zealand’s largest ground.

All Black Tony Woodcock remains out of the team, and the hammering received at the hands of the chiefs has seen Coach Pat Lam shore up the defences.

In form international Isaia Toeava moves into outside centre, where he has played for the All Blacks, and second five eighth Jamie Helleur, a noted defensive player, takes his place in the starting line up.

The Blues will bring the most potent attacking record to the fixture, scoring 23 tries and making more running metres than any other team, but also wield the worst defensive record.  Twice they have conceded 50+ points this season.

The Waratahs will arrive on a two match losing streak, but will look to record their fourth victory over a New Zealand team which will see them take the best season record for NSW against kiwi opposition.

Kurtley Beale, the dynamic but erratic fly half, drops out of the starting team to give way to Daniel Halangahu—starting his first match in almost two years.

Quite simply, the Waratahs were woeful against a terrible undermanned Crusaders team last week (who have more front line injuries—six—than any other side). 

The Waratahs should have the stronger set piece and defence, but have looked rudderless in attack at times this season, hence the change at standoff.  

While they remain third on the table going into this match, eight teams have scored more tries than NSW this season.  It follows a tradition going back to 2005 when Australia’s strongest franchise on paper has struggled to post tries.

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