Super 14: QLD V NSW

Venue: Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney

Kick off: Friday 6 March, 7.40pm (AEDT)

Head to Head: Played 13: Reds 8, Waratahs 4, Drawn 1

Last year: NSW Waratahs 18—Queensland Reds 11 at Brisbane

The classic Australian derby between the two original rugby states of Australia; Queensland and New South Wales. This is a match that sparks the typical feisty debate between the two territories.  The tunes sung this year are for an introduction for a rugby league style state of origin.

But, we digress!

At the beginning of Super Rugby, Queensland were untouchable in this local contest.  The Reds, despite never winning the title, were a rugby dynasty.  John Eales, Tim Horan, this was a team that began Super Rugby by posting two fifty point wins against Canterbury and Auckland and came in 1st in both 1996 and 1999.

Up until 2004, with the exception of a draw, this was a completely one sided rivalry, with the Reds having won their first eight clashes. 

But, despite the promise and the roster full of potential front line Wallabies, this is a team still repairing itself from the disastrous management of Eddie Jones. 

Since 2005, the Waratahs have been the better performing Australian franchise. Not only have they reached the finals in competition twice, they now boast a four match winning streak against their oldest foes.

So far, despite a new coach and having turned over half of their formidable 2008 pack, NSW still looks to be a potent force.  Some aspects are still not clear.  Chris Hickey has still to unveil the promised open attacking style that he said he would implement to erode Ewen McKenzie’s pragmatic style.  But a common aspect of recent Waratahs rugby, their defense, is still most formidable.

So formidable in fact, that it looks to have the strength to again have them within reach of the semifinals.

And it is this that will likely be the difference between the two teams.

Queensland and Coach Phil Mooney deserve a huge amount of credit.  While he has stated that they will take “winning ugly” if need be, the Reds are playing an unashamed brand of open running rugby. 

It is good that a modern rugby team remembers that as important as rugby is to us all, it is still just a game, and a good game needs to be entertaining.

But it is here, that NSW will likely strangle them out of the match. 

While Queensland snapped a six-game losing streak in Super Rugby by beating the Cheetahs last week, their all offensive and light ruck commitment style is far from complete. And will be ineffective against experienced and defensively orientated teams.

Like the Waratahs.  It will likely be a continuation of Queensland’s pain, with NSW to win by four.  Such a win will extend their home winning streak to 10 matches, last achieved in 1936.

Reds

15 Mark McLinden, 14 Digby Ioane, 13 Charlie Fetoai, 12 Berrick Barnes (c), 11 Peter Hynes, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Ben Lucas, 8 Leroy Houston, 7 Daniel Braid, 6 Scott Higginbotham, 5 Hugh McMeniman, 4 Van Humphries, 3 Dayna Edwards, 2 Sean Hardman, 1 Greg Holmes.

Replacements

16 Saia Faingaa, 17 Laurie Weeks, 18 Adam Byrnes, 19 Poutasi Luafutu, 20 Will Genia, 21 Anthony Faingaa, 22 Blair Connor.

Waratahs

15 Sam Norton-Knight, 14 Lachie Turner, 13 Rob Horne, 12 Tom Carter, 11 Lote Tuqiri, 10 Kurtley Beale, 9 Luke Burgess, 8 Wycliff Palu, 7 Phil Waugh (captain), 6 Ben Mowen, 5 Will Caldwell, 4 Dean Mumm, 3 Al Baxter, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 Benn Robinson.

Replacements

16 Adam Freier, 17 Dan Palmer, 18 Chris Thomson, 19 Dave Dennis, 20 Brett Sheehan, 21 Daniel Halangahu, 22 Timana Tahu.