Waratahs hope packed Brookvale Oval can be boost in the pursuit of a hoodoo-busting Kiwi win
A BUMPER crowd at Brookvale Oval would not only help the Waratahs bury the Blues and the 36-game Kiwi hoodoo, it would also strengthen the case to for more NSW games at suburban ovals.
Rugby
Don't miss out on the headlines from Rugby. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A BUMPER crowd at Brookvale Oval would not only help the Waratahs bury the Blues and the 36-game Kiwi hoodoo, it would also strengthen the case to for more NSW games at suburban ovals.
That’s the view of Waratahs assistant coach Simon Cron, but the size of the crowd for NSW’s relocated game could still be affected by Northern Beaches Council, who are yet to rubberstamp a Shute Shield curtain-raiser at Brookvale Oval on Saturday.
The Waratahs will play the Auckland-based Blues on the northern beaches after Sydney FC booked out Allianz Stadium for a possible A-League final.
That plan became redundant with Sydney’s loss at the weekend but the Waratahs aren’t complaining, with many seeing a buzzing Brookvale Oval as a big asset in beating the Blues and recording the first Aussie win over a Kiwi team since 27 May, 2016.
It was all action at the Members' Open Training session today as preparations for our return to Brookie against @BluesRugbyTeam kick into gear 💪
— NSW Waratahs (@NSWWaratahs) April 26, 2018
Brookvale is calling 🎟 https://t.co/4ZVlZbC7z3#ForTheLoveOfRugby pic.twitter.com/p2oZGyG1aJ
Plans for Warringah to play Souths ahead of the Waratahs’ game has been switched to Norths-Wests given the Rats have a massive Juniors Day.
But despite the rare chance for community rugby and Super Rugby to share a stage — which would attract a big crowd — Northern Beaches Council have concerns about playing two games on the field. Further talks between NSW Rugby and the ground hirer will be held this week.
The Waratahs have enjoyed two successful trials at Brookvale Oval and Cron — who knows all about the feisty northern beaches fans from his Norths days — said the Tahs will benefit with a buzzing crowd at their back.
“There will be a lot of people hopefully and at the end of the day that’s what the boys play for,” Cron said. “They play for their supporters and want to do a good job, so I think playing at Brookvale will be very good for us in terms of that crowd support.”
NSW Rugby are set to put on buses to ferry Warringah supporters from Rat Park to Brookvale Oval.
NSW prop Paddy Ryan called on his bosses to play more Waratahs games at club venues when Allianz Stadium is being rebuilt and the commercial success — or otherwise — of the Brookvale Oval game will inform NSW powerbrokers.
“I would love for us to have more community games, and that (Allianz rebuild) becomes a good opportunity for us,” Cron said.
The Blues arrive as the weakest team of the Kiwi conference, with only two wins from nine games and on a two-game losing streak. But Cron — and the Tahs — know the folly of reading too much into the record of the Blues, who are expected to welcome back Sonny Bill Williams from injury this week.
“The Blues may not have as many points on the board as some of the other teams but they should have won a few of those games,” Cron said.
“They have some weapons. When you look at them, they are some pretty skilful athletes there. I am sure after that loss (to the Jaguares at home) they will be fired up, no doubt. They won’t be happy. But we’re not happy after the Lions loss, so that’s no issue.”
The Waratahs are coming off a bye, with their 29-0 loss to the Lions a week earlier still stinging. Most Waratahs played club rugby at the weekend.
Cron said he expected a “fired up” Israel Folau to be available for selection and while they would definitely look to use the aerial tactics successfully deployed against the Rebels, “you don’t want to be a one-man band”.
The primary selection call this week will be whether Will Miller is recalled to the starting team.
LIVE stream the 2018 Vodafone Super Rugby on FOX SPORTS. The only place to see every game exclusively LIVE with no ad-breaks during play! Get your free 2-week Foxtel Now trial & start watching in minutes