waratahs/lions

ok here it is ... the NSW waratahs MUST put the cleaners thru the lions.

for the last 3 seasons when the lions have gone on the road their early games have yielded some decent results and commendable efforts, including this year when they pushed the hurricanes ( albeit the scoreline doesnt reflect this ) until the final 20 mins. However, after this there have been some heavy heavy defeats.

2009

24 point losers to the blues after a close 7 point loss first up to the chiefts + then a 55-14 hammering in western australia after an 11 point win over the reds 

2008

close 9 point first up loss to the highlanders then followed by 2 thumpings 31-6 to the crusaders & 26-3 to the waratahs

again this year their first up effort against the hurricanes and then another decent away effort against the brumbies leaves them in the same position as the last 2 years - ready for their letdown of the tour.

From the NSW point of view they have yet another chance to play the expansive game that everybody has been expecting. The lions arent exactly miserly in defence giving up at least 24 points each game this year - and one would think this SHOULD encourage NSW to try their hand this week. You also got the feeling last week that with that 1 play or 1 little break in fortune that NSW would have gotten over the sharks early/middle stages of the 2nd half - after that the game becoming purely about survival. They should have many chances to break away from the lions this week.

Last time in NSW the lions were beaten by 23, and even the previous 2 games in south africa the waratahs have still been good enough so this is clearly a team they enjoy playing.

My one concern is that their ugly win last week MAY "justify" their decision to play the kick happy/field position game and hence the will adopt it again.

I guess my bet is based on the fact they wont :)

WARATAHS -17.5 @ $1.90

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