VENUE & TIME: Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney, Friday March 12, 9.40pm (NZDT).
HEAD TO HEAD: Played 14 – Waratahs 12, Lions/Cats 2.
LAST TIME: May 15, 2009 (Johannesburg) – Waratahs 38-33 Lions (round 14).
LAST TIME AT VENUE: April 19, 2008 (Sydney) – Waratahs 26-3 Lions (round 10).
Match Odds:
Luxbet: Waratahs: $1.07, Lions $8.50
WALKING WOUNDED: The Waratahs came through a brutal clash against the Sharks unscathed allowing Chris Hickey to name an unchanged 22 for Friday's clash. In contrast, Lions coach Dick Muir has made six changes to his starting line-up that made it four straight losses to start the season against the Brumbies. Former All Blacks flyhalf Carlos Spencer is the most notable inclusion, with the veteran returning from a pectoral injury to make his 100th Super rugby appearance. Scrumhalf Jano Vermaak and winger Wigan Pekeur have both been named on the bench after arriving in Australia on Tuesday as cover for injured duo Deon van Rensburg and Dusty Noble.
FORM:
Waratahs Past Five:
Week 4: Win, 25-21 v Sharks, Sydney
Week 3: Loss, 48-38 v Bulls, Pretoria
Week2: Loss, 27-6 v Stormers, Cape Town
Week 1: Win, 30-28 v Reds, Brisbane
Week 14: Win, 38-33 v Lions, Johannesburg
FORM:
Week 4: Loss, 24-13 v Brumbies, Canberra
Week 3: Loss, 33-18 v Hurricanes, Wellington
Week 2: Loss, 72-65 v Chiefs, Johannesburg
Week1: Loss, 26-13 v Stormers, Johannesburg
Week 14: Loss, 38-33 v Waratahs, Johannesburg
The Waratahs remain in touch with the top-four in 10th spot having won two of their first four fixtures - but they probably deserve to be winless after four rounds. The Sharks were furious after Australian referee Paul Marks failed to award a penalty try following Kurtley Beale's deliberate knock down late in last week's clash, while Harry Houdini would have been proud of their escape against the Reds in Round 1. The Waratahs held their own up front in what was an old-fashioned slugfest against the Sharks, but their inability to execute basic skills in attack saw them booed by their own crowd on occasions. Although they remain winless this season, the Lions have had their chances in all four losses against sides that are all expected to challenge for a finals berth season. The men from Johannesburg had a dig against the Brumbies in dreadful condition, only to fall short for the fourth week in a row. While they have shown more potency in attack this season, they must improve their leaky defence which is currently the worst in the competition.
WHO'S HOT: Tatafu Polota-Nau overcame a hamstring complaint to claim man-of-the-match honours against the Sharks. The Wallabies rake revelled in the brutal clash, scoring the decisive try early in the second half when he steamrolled veteran full-back Stefan Terblanche to score under the posts. It would be a stretch to include any of the Lions in this category based on last week's performance, but the enigmatic Spencer is still capable of anything on his day and is a welcome addition to the starting side.
WE THINK: Having been booed by their home fans last weekend, look for the Waratahs to take out their frustrations on the Lions by dishing out a good old fashioned thumping. It will be an emotional night for the hosts with skipper Phil Waugh set