Rocky Elsom to make long-awaited return against the Rebels
Wallaby Rocky Elsom in training with the Waratahs. He could possibly play his first game since 2008 for the Tahs this coming weekend.
Morgan Piek – The RadoDirect Melbourne Rebels coached named his side to take on the face the NSW Watatahs at the Allianz Stadium in Sydney on Saturday morning 11:40am CAT.
Hill stuck to his guns by not ringing the changes after the Rebels humiliating defeat to Jake Whites’ ACT Brumbies last weekend in Canberra. It has to be mentioned that although it was a crushing defeat to the Melbourne based outfit; the Brumbies are inform at the moment, but there was n nothing spectacular from either side in the game. I would put the Rebels defeat to nothing more than a bad day at the office.
As it stand the Rebels are by far the most entertaining team out of all the Australian franchises and they are a great deal better than their maiden season last year.
Earlier in the week, Wallaby utility back Kurtley Beale made mention of the fact that his is itching to play against his former franchise. Beale will be facing off against Bernard Foley at fullback for the Waratahs, although his main competition for the Gold number 15 year, Berrick Barnes will be starting at flyhalf again.
It is bound to be an exciting contest as we all know how little time the Victorians and New South Welshman have for one another.
Both teams have star-studded backlines with numerous Wallabies in either side. Upfront the scales will be evenly balanced; maybe tipping in the Waratahs favour slightly, only because of more experience. The key to the game however will be the backlines and all depends on whether or not James O’Connor fires for the Rebels.
For the Waratahs it will depend on the Berrick Barnes/ Tom Carter combination. I like Tom Carter at inside centre, he is exciting, defends well, has a lot of pace and creates great attacking opportunities. His only drawback is that he is a very fiery player and can lack disipline at time. No doubt James O’Connor will try and exploit that.
His weekend sees the return of the phenomenal Wallaby loose forward Rocky Elsom. Elsom missed the first eight weeks of the Super Rugby 2012 due to recovering from surgery on his Hamstring. If Elsom makes onto the park this weekend it will be the first time since 2008 he has run out for the Tahs. Elsom had a stint in Ireland and two injury ridden seasons at the Brumbies, before making his return to the Sydney outfit.
The Waratahs:
1. Benn Robinson, 2. Tatafu Polota-Nau, 3. Sekope Kepu, 4. Dean Mumm, 5. Kane Douglas, 6. Dave Dennis, 7. Chris Alcock, 8. Wycliff Palu, 9. Brendan McKibbin, 10. Berrick Barnes, 11. Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12. Tom Carter, 13. Rob Horne, 14. Tom Kingston, 15. Bernard Foley.
Reserves:
16. John Ulugia, 17. Paddy Ryan, 18. Sitaleki Timani, 19. Rocky Elsom, 20. Jono Jenkins, 21. Sarel Pretorius, 22. Daniel Halangahu.
The Rebels:
1. Nic Henderson, 2. Ged Robinson, 3. Rodney Blake, 4. Luke Jones , 5. Hugh Pyle, 6. Jarrod Saffy, 7. Michael Lipman, 8. Gareth Delve, 9. Nick Phipps, 10. Danny Cipriani, 11. Mark Gerrard, 12. James O’Connor, 13. Lloyd Johansson, 14. Lachlan Mitchell, 15. Kurtley Beale.
Reserves:
16. Luke Holmes, 17. Jono Owen, 18. Alister Campbell, 19. Tim Davidson, 20. Richard Kingi, 21. Julian Huxley, 22. Cooper Vuna.
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