McCaw out to break Bulls finals drought

Updated July 19, 2012 17:04:10

All Blacks and Crusaders captain Richie McCaw rarely finds himself on a losing side, but his last three appearances against the Bulls in the Super Rugby play-offs have all ended in defeat.

But all those losses, in 2007, 2009 and 2010, were on South African soil and McCaw is hoping home-ground advantage will help ensure the Crusaders come out on the right side of the ledger on Saturday night in Christchurch.

"I probably owe them one. We've had some tough old battles over the years, but this is a new year," McCaw said after the Crusaders' final practice on Thursday.

McCaw, who will play at number eight after fellow All Black Kieran Read was ruled out with a rib injury, said the home advantage meant nothing if the Crusaders dropped their standards.

"You still have to do the job right and you can't go out thinking that it is going to be easier," he said.

He anticipated the Bulls might find the going tough as the match wore on and the travel took its toll.

Ominously for the Bulls, they have lost their past seven visits to Christchurch.

But both McCaw and coach Todd Blackadder said the hosts need to keep their discipline, wary that ace Bulls goalkicker Morne Steyn will punish any indiscretions.

"The experience we've had over the last few years is that he keeps things ticking along just through our ill discipline," McCaw said.

"Anywhere in your own half and it is fairly much three points guaranteed."

McCaw said the Bulls would play an uncomplicated brand of rugby suited to the knock-out phase.

"They're not real subtle how they approach it - they try and get on top physically and they can kick the ball from anywhere," he said.

Blackadder has made three changes to the side that swamped the Western Force last week, with All Blacks prop Ben Franks dropped to the bench.

Six-cap All Black Wyatt Crockett replaces Franks at loosehead prop while international lock Sam Whitelock returns after being rested last week.

Powerful centre Robbie Fruean is restored to the run-on side with Adam Whitelock bumped out to the wing, relegating Sean Maitland to the reserves.

Crusaders: Israel Dagg, Adam Whitelock, Robbie Fruean, Ryan Crotty, Zac Guildford, Dan Carter, Andy Ellis, Richie McCaw (capt), Matt Todd, George Whitelock, Sam Whitelock, Luke Romano, Owen Franks, Corey Flynn, Wyatt Crockett. Res: Quentin MacDonald, Ben Franks, Tom Donnelly, Luke Whitelock, Willi Heinz, Tom Taylor, Sean Maitland.

AAP

Tags: super-rugby, rugby-union, sport, new-zealand

First posted July 19, 2012 16:45:07

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Finals come early for Brumbies and Reds

Updated May 21, 2012 07:40:21

The Brumbies will mount a vigorous judicial challenge to have linchpin flanker Michael Hooper available for Saturday night's high-stakes Super Rugby clash with a resurgent Queensland.

The Brumbies have engaged lawyers to help defend Hooper when he fronts a SANZAR hearing on Monday evening, desperately hoping to escape suspension for an alleged dangerous tackle.

It is no surprise the Australian conference leaders will do all they can to get the in-form number seven off the charge as the result will have a huge bearing on a match both sides are treating as a final at Canberra Stadium.

Hooper was sorely missed when he was strangely left on the bench for the Brumbies' 20-13 Good Friday loss to the Reds.

The defending champions outpointed the Brumbies at the breakdown with ball scavengers Liam Gill and Beau Robinson starting together and reaping the rewards.

Teenager Gill has been instrumental in Queensland's surge up the table to cut the Brumbies' (44) conference lead to eight points.

Hooper's potential ban would not only rob the Brumbies of a key man but also rugby fans and Test selectors of an eagerly-anticipated head-to-head battle between Australia's two rising stars.

Last year they were Australian Under-20 team-mates but now they are Super Rugby's leading pilferers and competing to be the next Wallabies open-side flanker behind David Pocock.

Despite SANZAR's intentions in stamping out lifting tackles, Brumbies skipper Ben Mowen was confident Hooper would be exonerated for his accidental effort on Hurricanes back-rower Victor Vito in Friday night's 37-25 win in Wellington.

Hooper was only penalised by referee Mark Lawrence, but cited post-match, and then on review the tackle was referred to a hearing before New Zealand judicial officer Nick Davidson QC.

While it was not deliberate, a lack of intent did not help Reds winger Digby Ioane to escape a four-match ban for a similar tip-tackle in March.

"A lot of the time it's more due to what the attacking player does, twisting and turning in the tackle," Mowen said.

"It would be great for the fans to see that competition (between Hooper and Gill). For a long time it was Pocock and then no one but now we have these two guys on the rise."

Colby Faingaa looms as Hooper's potential replacement for his first match back from an ankle injury in front of what's set to be Canberra's biggest crowd for several years.

"We've already taken the view that it's a final," Mowen said.

"While you don't want to focus too much on other sides, the reality is we can almost end their hopes of the finals or make it really hard for them.

"There's a lot at stake in respect to the conference but as much as that we want to have momentum going into the June break."

With Quade Cooper making a sparkling first-half comeback from knee surgery, Queensland (36) scored a 34-20 win over the last-placed Lions to be eighth on the table and five points out of the top six.

The Waratahs' finals hopes were extinguished in Cape Town by a 19-13 loss to the pace-setting Stormers (49), while the Melbourne Rebels leapfrogged New South Wales with a 32-31 win over the Western Force.

The Chiefs (49) lead the Kiwi conference following a bye but the Crusaders (42) snapped back into form with a 59-12 drubbing of the Blues.

AAP

Tags: sport, rugby-union, super-rugby, act, australia, canberra-2600

First posted May 21, 2012 07:40:21

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Stormers leave Tahs floundering in finals race

Updated May 20, 2012 16:15:06

The Waratahs' Super Rugby finals hopes took a huge blow after going down 19-13 to competition contenders the Stormers at Newlands on Sunday morning (AEST).

The win put the South African side back on top of the Super Rugby table, but New South Wales' fourth straight loss leaves it a massive 13 points off sixth spot and a wildcard berth in the play-offs.

For the second week in a row, the Cape Town side were outplayed in the second half and had to hang on to win and claim top spot ahead of the Chiefs.

Stormers led 16-3 at half-time, but their Australian opponents dominated a scrappy second half in wet, slippery conditions.

It was the 10th win in 11 matches for the Stormers, but they have yet to earn a bonus point for scoring four tries in a match.

They looked capable of breaking the bonus-point drought when they scored two tries within 16 minutes in the first half and hammered at the Waratahs line seeking a third before the break.

But they seldom looked like adding to the try count in the second half.

"We're the first to admit we haven't played our best rugby but I thought we improved this week," said Stormers centre and captain Jean de Villiers.

He added that the side's next two matches - away to South African rivals the Sharks and Bulls -- will give a strong indication of their prospects for the rest of the season.

Waratahs loose forward and captain Rocky Elsom said he was disappointed with his team's first-half performance.

"Our strategy was spot on, but our execution let us down," he said.

Fly half Berrick Barnes kept the Stormers under pressure with his tactical kicking, but Elsom said poor defence allowed the Stormers to score their tries.

The Waratahs started well and took the lead through a penalty by Brendan McKibbin, but the Stormers produced a good backline move from a line-out in the opposition 22, with full-back Joe Pietersen taking the final pass to score in the left corner after 17 minutes.

Pietersen landed a penalty goal before another attack from a line-out, after the Stormers opted to kick for touch instead of goal when awarded a penalty, resulted in a try from hooker Tiaan Liebenberg.

A close-range penalty by fly half Peter Grant gave the Stormers a 16-3 half-time lead, but the Waratahs reduced the deficit to three points with a converted try by centre Rob Horne and a penalty by McKibbin in the first seven minutes of the second half.

Another Grant penalty gave Stormers some breathing space and neither side could score in the last half hour.

The home team's stuttering second-half performance came a week after fellow South Africans the Cheetahs came back from a 16-0 deficit to score 14 unanswered points against the Cape team.

Stormers: 19 (J Pietersen, T Liebenberg tries; Pietersen, P Grant 2 pens)

Waratahs: 13 (R Horne try; B McKibbin conv; McKibbin 2 pens)

ABC/AFP

Tags: super-rugby, rugby-union, sport, south-africa, sydney-2000, nsw, australia

First posted May 20, 2012 05:47:34

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Trading Talk - Heineken Cup Quarter Finals

Reds need tries galore to make Super finals

Updated May 07, 2012 19:24:02

Defensive linchpin Anthony Faingaa believes Queensland has momentum in spite of a gut-wrenching loss to the Crusaders but must rack up more tries to make the Super Rugby finals.

The competition entertainers in 2010 and 2011, the Reds have yet to gain an attacking bonus point in 2012 as they have struggled to score tries due to an injury-ravaged backline.

The defending champions have scored just 18 tries in 10 matches, with three their most in any single game, as they sit ninth on the table.

Attacking bonus points are given for scoring four tries or more in a match.

Now nine points behind the Brumbies in the Australian conference, the Reds need to win five of their last six matches to guarantee a play-off berth.

With a home win over the table-topping Chiefs seen as crucial on Sunday, particularly when the Brumbies get a four-point boost from a bye, Wallabies centre Faingaa said the Reds were aiming to break the try-scoring rot.

"We have to keep believing and get bonus points and win games," he said at Brisbane Airport on Monday.

"I think it's something we need to look into but we have to get the win first.

"We have to get bonus points ... and we have to do what we can to get bonus points."

Reds coach Ewen McKenzie underlined that plans for victory wouldn't be compromised by mindless attack but was confident his team's all-round play was clicking back into gear through the return of sidelined players.

"(Four tries) happen if you play well enough across the game," he said. "I think if you go out there and try to construct that from minute one, you'll be behind.

"You've got to get in front on the scoreboard and stay in front."

In his first run-on start in 10 weeks, the fast-rushing Faingaa was highly influential in keeping the Crusaders tryless in an impressive defensive display in the 15-11 loss when the Reds' attack was hampered by a string of breakdown penalties.

"I feel like that momentum is starting to shift and I think it's coming our way," he said.

"I thought some of the stuff we did yesterday was encouraging but obviously we have a few areas to improve on.

"I'm gutted by the loss, we should have come away from Christchurch with a win."

While the previously red-hot Crusaders backline was kept quiet, the Reds know they have just as big an assignment at Lang Park to break the Chiefs' nine-match winning streak.

Sonny Bill Williams has struck up a fine combination with fellow All Black Richard Kahui in the centres but it's fly half Aaron Cruden, in career-best form, who McKenzie rates as more influential.

"They're playing well as a team," McKenzie said. "They've got a good culture going.

"They're the benchmark side. It's a good challenge for us."

AAP

Tags: sport, rugby-union, super-rugby, australia, qld, brisbane-4000

First posted May 07, 2012 17:45:21

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Finals a 'new competition', say Reds

By Luke Pentony

Updated June 27, 2011 23:38:00

Queensland prop Ben Daley says the Reds' form during the regular season is now irrelevant ahead of Saturday night's Super Rugby semi-final against the Blues at Lang Park.

The Reds set the pace throughout the home-and-away rounds, securing the minor premiership with a 13-3 return from their 16 matches and in doing so qualified for their first finals series since 2001.

They enjoyed a week off in the opening stage of the play-offs but will have only one bite of the cherry in their attempt to progress to the final, as the loser of Saturday night's sudden death encounter will bow out of the competition.

The Reds defeated the Blues 37-31 when they met at Lang Park last month but Daley says that result holds no importance, as the finals are a much different proposition to the regular season.

"They say it (finals) is a step-up in intensity, it's a different kettle of fish, it's pretty much a new competition," he told Grandstand.

"You read the form during the year, things change over the course of the year, teams adapt to different styles of play.

"No doubt we will have to do our homework on the Blues because they've changed some subtleties in their game and we've changed some subtleties in our game, so it's going to be a tough battle but you wouldn't want it any other way."

The Reds' first appearance in a final series in 10 years has captured the public's imagination and a sell-out crowd is expected for Saturday night.

Daley admits the heightened interest has been matched by increased excitement amongst the Reds' playing group and this has been a challenge in trying to stay focused on the task at hand.

"We're trying to measure it against strategising, not burning ourselves too much before the game," he said.

"We want to be able to fire come that first whistle and not be flat, so it's trying to manage those emotions and make sure we have got our game plan down pat and using that to get a good result."

Scrum focus

Much of the Reds' game plan will be centred on strengthening their scrum, which has been widely identified as a weakness throughout the season.

The Blues have already acknowledged they will try to attack the Reds through the set-piece with a pack led by All Blacks front rowers Keven Mealamu and John Afoa.

The Reds' cause has not been helped by the loss of tighthead prop James Slipper to an ankle injury, but Daley is adamant the hosts will be competitive at scrum time.

"We've been gathering confidence from our scrum in recent weeks," he said.

"It's improved a lot and hopefully it improves further this week. Our goal is to provide quality set-piece ball for the backs, so we can unleash those blokes who can do their magic."

Reds coach Ewen McKenzie will name his matchday squad on Thursday with former Wallabies prop Greg Holmes set to replace Slipper in the front row.

The loss of Slipper has been offset by the return of at least three key Reds in winger Digby Ioane (concussion), centre Anthony Faingaa (hamstring) and openside flanker Beau Robinson (elbow).

Ioane and Faingaa are set to regain their places in the starting XV, but Robinson may be named on the bench in light of Liam Gill's outstanding form in the Reds' 19-11 win over the Chiefs at Waikato Stadium in the final round of the regular season.

Robinson has been sidelined since dislocating his elbow in the thrilling 17-16 win over the Crusaders late last month, although he did play a half for Souths in the Brisbane premier grade competition on Saturday.

Tags: sport, rugby-union, super-14, brisbane-4000

First posted June 27, 2011 23:33:00

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Shoot-outs introduced for tied Super finals

Posted June 21, 2011 16:16:00

Super Rugby matches in the three-week play-offs starting this weekend will be decided by penalty shoot-outs if the teams remain deadlocked after extra time.

Teams that play to a draw in regular time would be given two 10-minute periods of extra time, then another 10-minute period of "sudden death" if needed, in which the first team to score would be awarded victory.

Should the score remain level after the "sudden death", the teams would have a kicking competition.

Teams would each nominate five players to take shots at the posts from set positions on the 22 and 15-metre lines with victory awarded to the most accurate kicking side.

"Previously, if there was no winner after extra time the honours would be shared," a SANZAR spokesman said.

The finals kick off this weekend with the Blues hosting the New South Wales Waratahs on Friday in an elimination final.

Seven-times champions the Crusaders host another knockout final against the Durban-based Sharks in Nelson, New Zealand, on Saturday.

-Reuters

Tags: sport, rugby-union, super-14, nsw, sydney-2000, qld, brisbane-4000, new-zealand, south-africa

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Reds eye finals windfall

Updated June 16, 2011 18:07:00

Queensland's desperation to snare Super Rugby's pole position with a victory over the Chiefs will put the Reds on track for a home decider and a $1 million windfall.

The Australian conference winners on Thursday officially began preparations for a July 2 home semi-final which is expected to sell-out Lang Park for the second time this season.

The fruits of a capacity crowd include a significant financial reward of close to $500,000, and the Reds can double that amount by earning hosting rights for the July 9 decider.

To ensure the rebuilding Queensland Rugby Union (QRU) maximise their chances to cash in on the success of their entertaining side, the Reds must seal top spot with a last-round win in Hamilton on Saturday.

That would guarantee a Lang Park final if they win their semi-final.

A loss to the Chiefs, who are farewelling captain Mils Muliaina and long-term coach Ian Foster at Waikato Stadium, opens the door for the Stormers to charge to the minor premiership and also have the inside run for a final in Cape Town.

QRU chief executive Jim Carmichael is confident of again selling out their 52,500-capacity home ground on July 2, repeating the efforts of the May 29 blockbuster against the Crusaders.

"It would be great to see Suncorp full twice, maybe three times, with rugby people in a year," Carmichael said.

"You'd like to think that on a home final you would net yourself between 400 and 500k, that's what you would like to think, and if you multiply that by two then that's great."

Struggling to attract break-even figures of approximately 17,000 two years ago, crowds have averaged almost 30,000 in 2011.

Along with increased sponsorship, Queensland's resurgence has provided a significant financial boost after the state body last year received a $3 million loan from the Australian Rugby Union following several years in the doldrums.

Almost $11 million was lost over three years until 2010, but a profit will be made in 2011 as the rebuilding process still has plenty of hard yards to go.

The QRU will start making part repayments in the coming months but Carmichael stressed all revenue was being reinvested locally in a healthier code.

"Even with the windfall, the money that's earned won't mean all of a sudden it's a great world," Carmichael said.

"To have a final is fantastic, that's a bonus, but what's more important is that we've reinvigorated rugby in Queensland.

"And apart from finals the good news is we've hit every target we've set ourselves this year.

"No matter what happens on the 2nd of July we can be satisfied we've put our best foot forward and it's given us great hope for the future."

- AAP

Tags: sport, rugby-union, super-14, australia, qld, brisbane-4000

First posted June 16, 2011 17:55:00

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Waratahs ready for finals anywhere

Updated June 17, 2011 18:23:00

New South Wales has booked flights to five potential finals destinations across the southern hemisphere, convinced the Brumbies will not end its Super Rugby season on Saturday night.

Depending on a series of results in a huge last round of home-and-away fixtures this weekend, the Waratahs could end up having to travel to Cape Town, Pretoria, Durban, Auckland or Nelson for their sudden-death "qualifier".

There is even a small chance the seventh-placed Waratahs could yet host a play-off in Sydney next week if they score a big bonus-point win over the Brumbies.

All coach Chris Hickey cares about, though, is actually reaching the business end of the competition.

The usually mild-mannered mentor on Friday bristled when asked if the Waratahs were ready to deliver Melbourne-bound Wallabies star Kurtley Beale and retiring stalwart Al Baxter fitting farewells in the Waratahs' apparent final home game for the season at Sydney's Olympic stadium.

"Look, we've still got three or four games to play yet, so these blokes aren't leaving," Hickey snapped.

"This will just be perhaps their last game they'll play in Sydney. I'm sure those guys will want to go out on a high note.

"But, from our point of view, we're really preparing for the next three or four games. It's not a send-off for anybody.

"In many ways, I guess our finals campaign starts on Saturday night."

Indeed, the only certainty is that the Waratahs can not possibly clash with Queensland in round one of the play-offs because the front-running Reds are guaranteed a top-two finish and, with that, next weekend off and then a home semi-final.

But New South Wales could even squeeze into the finals if it loses to the Brumbies by less than eight points and there is a one-sided result in the pivotal match in Pretoria on Sunday morning between the fifth-placed Bulls and sixth-placed Sharks.

History has proven it is virtually impossible to win the Super Rugby title after travelling to South Africa and avoiding the Republic during the finals remains the Waratahs' best-case scenario.

As unlikely as it might seem, the dream run for the Waratahs would be playing and beating the Blues in Auckland next week, then upsetting the Reds in Brisbane before taking down the Crusaders in the final in Nelson on July 9.

First and foremost, the Waratahs must conquer the fired-up and in-form Brumbies on Saturday night.

"You don't expect any favours from any of the Australian sides," Hickey said.

"The local derbies have been a real feature of this Super Rugby competition and the competitiveness between the Brumbies and the Waratahs goes back many years.

"So it's a game that we've got to be good enough to get out there and win."

After a highly disappointing campaign, the Brumbies stunned the Reds, then beat the Rebels last start and will be desperate themselves to send France-bound captain Matt Giteau and Waratahs-bound utility Adam Ashley-Cooper off in style.

"It's a huge game," Waratahs captain Phil Waugh said.

"Similar circumstances to last week. If we win, we go through. If we lose, it will be our last game for the year so (there is) a lot on the line.

"They'll have a lot of motivation too. It's their last game of the season as well and they'll be motivated to come to Sydney and upset our plans.

"We've just got to make sure we turn up from kick-off."

- AAP

Tags: sport, rugby-union, super-14, australia, act, canberra-2600, nsw, sydney-2000

First posted June 17, 2011 16:05:00

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Reds to thrive on finals pressure

Posted June 13, 2011 18:10:00

Finals inexperience will not be a factor in Queensland's Super Rugby title charge due to the Reds' success and composure in "life or death" battles.

That is the firmly held view of Reds coach Ewen McKenzie, who took New South Wales to three play-off series and two deciders in his five seasons at the Waratahs.

McKenzie says the old adage that a team must play in finals before they can win a competition does not apply to his rising table-toppers who produce their best in high-stakes encounters.

Queensland, having already booked a home semi-final on July 2, can seal top spot on the ladder on Saturday by spoiling Chiefs captain Mils Muliaina's farewell in their last-round clash in Hamilton.

A significant part of the Reds' success has been the ability to come from behind and close out tight matches, as well as a penchant for the blockbuster clashes.

Indeed, the Reds are unbeaten this season against the other teams in the top six and have also held their nerve to win tense derbies against New South Wales, the Brumbies and Force (twice).

Their ice-cool ability to handle finals-like intensity was best shown by their 19-6 upset of the Stormers in Cape Town and their epic 17-16 comeback against the Crusaders - both in front of 50,000-plus crowds.

"You can only get (finals experience) by being in the finals but it also depends on the games you have along the way too," McKenzie said.

"The Crusaders game was a big game and the Stormers game was a big game away and they're all very important games in front of big crowds and at the time they feel like life or death struggles.

"When you're going in they feel like Test matches and there's a lot on the line - these are must-win type scenarios and in that sense it does prepare you."

McKenzie took the Waratahs to the 2005 and 2008 finals but both times they were unable to upset the Crusaders in Christchurch.

The desire to finish number one and also continue their winning roll will not mean the injury-hit Reds will rest troops for the play-offs.

The second-placed Stormers (58) can still steal top spot by passing, or drawing level, to a beaten Queensland (62) with a last-round win over the Cheetahs.

The South African conference leaders have a superior points for-and-against differential, which is the secondary tie-breaker behind most wins, which counts out the Crusaders (57) who are two victories behind the Reds.

Queensland's wing crisis looks to have eased slightly with Rod Davies' shoulder injury recovering well to have him in line for selection against All Blacks back three Muliaina, Sitiveni Sivivatu and Lelia Masaga.

Digby Ioane will undergo neurological tests on Tuesday but McKenzie is less confident of having the Wallabies flyer back a fortnight after being heavily concussed against the Brumbies.

With five other outside backs already injured or on Australia U20 duties, Brisbane club stalwart Ant Sauer and former Test centre Steve Kefu are in the mix to sit on the bench in Hamilton.

- AAP

Tags: sport, rugby-union, super-14, australia, qld, brisbane-4000

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Waratahs eye finals after big win

Updated June 11, 2011 22:25:00

The NSW Waratahs have one foot in the Super Rugby finals after powering to a 33-7 bonus-point triumph over the Highlanders on Saturday night.

A hat-trick to centre Tom Carter and another scintillating display from full-back Kurtley Beale lifted the Waratahs back into the top six with their five-try rout.

NSW should clinch a play-off spot with a home victory over the out-of-contention Brumbies next Saturday night.

Only an unlikely sequence of results in South Africa over the last two rounds would deny the Tahs their fifth finals appearance in seven years should they topple the Brumbies.

While Carter savoured his first, three-try haul for the Waratahs, Beale was once again the standout.

The classy full-back lit up the Sydney Football Stadium on an otherwise drab winter's night with two magical runs that led to NSW's first two tries and 12-0 advantage.

First he beat three defenders in a mazy 30-metre raid before grubber-kicking for Carter to score in the ninth minute.

He topped that by initiating a brilliant 80m team try seven minutes later.

From nothing, Beale sped 50 metres downfield before kicking for half-back Luke Burgess, who off-loaded to hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau, who in turn found flanker Dave Dennis in support to finish off the movement.

Like most at the ground, NSW coach Chris Hickey could only marvel at Beale's five-star display.

"He shows he's a world-class player, doesn't he," Hickey said.

"Some of the things out there tonight that came off for him - and some that don't necessarily come off still create opportunities.

"He's playing with a great deal of confidence and we certainly want to keep him in the game."

Despite the desperate Highlanders throwing everything at them, the Waratahs were never headed and the eighth-placed Highlanders were eliminated from finals contention.

The successful return from nagging hamstring injuries of skipper Phil Waugh and powerhouse No.8 Wycliff Palu only added to NSW celebrations.

Waugh was his workaholic self until being replaced at half-time while Palu's energy and destructive defence was a highlight of the Waratahs' win.

The only downer was Berrick Barnes trudging off in the 35th minute, the luckless midfielder believed to have copped a heavy knock to the back.

"Berrick just wasn't feeling quite right. He felt a little bit ill so we thought it was better to replace him," Hickey said.

Palu hurt his shoulder but Hickey was hopeful it was only a "stinger" injury needing a couple of days for recovery.

After spurning a couple of penalty goal attempts in search of something more, the Highlanders were rewarded in the 29th minute when hooker Jason Rutledge burrowed over and fly half Tony Brown converted to reduce the margin to five points.

Carter steamed on to an inside ball from five-eighth Daniel Halangahu to crash over just before the break, with Beale's conversion giving the home team a 12-point buffer at half-time.

The Waratahs defended doggedly for most of the second half to retain their lead, before sealing victory with late tries to Carter and replacement winger Josh Holmes.

"It's important to recognise how good a team the Highlanders are," Waugh said.

"Often the opposition gets overlooked but they've been a quality side this year and to come up out the way we did, score five tries on the back of coming back from South Africa, I think is a pretty big effort from the guys."

Waratahs: 33 (Tom Carter 3, David Dennis, Josh Holmes tries; Kurtley Beale 4 cons)

Highlanders: 7 (Jason Rutledge try; Tony Brown con)

- AAP

Tags: sport, rugby-union, super-14, australia, nsw, sydney-2000

First posted June 11, 2011 21:42:00

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Vickerman back for Tahs' finals push

Posted May 22, 2011 18:57:00

Former Wallabies lock Dan Vickerman is waiting in the wings and ready for a timely Super Rugby comeback in a major boost to the New South Wales Waratahs' play-off hopes.

Vickerman has spent the past three years studying economics at Cambridge University but is due to return home to Australia in the next two weeks.

The fifth-placed Waratahs left for South Africa on Sunday for pivotal games against the Sharks and Bulls, after climbing to fifth spot with a 29-12 bonus-point victory over the Lions on Saturday night.

Coach Chris Hickey was targeting at least one win in the Republic to ensure the Waratahs retained control of their finals destiny, and hoping Vickerman's impending return would lift the side.

"We're expecting to see Dan Vickerman the week we get back from South Africa," Hickey said.

"Given our injury situation, it's pretty handy to have him come back into the squad.

"He's pretty fit, he's in good shape, so he'll certainly be an option for us once we return from South Africa."

A veteran of two World Cup campaigns and 52 Tests for Australia, 31-year-old Vickerman has been playing for Northampton in the Heineken Cup for the past two seasons.

"Pete McDonald, our strength and conditioning coach, has been in touch with him and all reports are that he's fit and healthy and ready to go," Hickey said.

"It's certainly a bonus for us at this point of the season."

With four rounds remaining before the finals, the Waratahs are just two points ahead of the seventh-placed Sharks and five clear of the eighth-placed Bulls.

"The South African leg is always a difficult leg, with the travel and particularly playing two of the top sides over there in the Sharks and the Bulls," Hickey said.

"It's pretty simple: we've got to come back from there with a win.

"If we can do that and come back and have the Highlanders and Brumbies here as home games, then we give ourselves every chance of playing in the finals series.

"If you don't pick up that win in Africa, it means that your fate then is in other people's hands, which may go your way. It may not."

Only 14,123 people - the lowest crowd in New South Wales' 15-year Super Rugby history - were on hand to see the Waratahs respond to Thursday night's savaging at a fan forum with a five-try first half against the Lions.

Although the hosts were kept scoreless in the second half, Hickey was pleased the Tahs were able to turn on a show for their loyal fans and relieved not to pick up any more injuries.

"We've come through pretty well," he said.

There was some concern for Berrick Barnes after he suffered another head knock, his third this season, but the playmaker was cleared to make the trip to South Africa.

"He's fine," Hickey said.

"No issues there at all."

-AAP

Tags: sport, rugby-union, super-14, australia, nsw, sydney-2000, south-africa

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