Category: Waratahs

The South African, New Zealand and Australian Rugby Unions (SANZAR) have released the schedule for the 2007 Super 14. The 2007 Super 14 season will start a week earlier to allow for the Rugby World Cup.

The competition starts off on 2nd February with the Blues hosting the Crusaders in Auckland. It finishes up with the grand final to be played on the 19th May.

It is still unknown which team will be the 5th South African side. The South African Rugby Union (SARU) had originally planned for the Southern Spears to replace that country’s bottom-placed team this year, the Cats, for 2007 and 2008.
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The Waratahs have successfully re-signed fullback/winger Peter Hewat to a three year contract.

Hewat was targeted by the new Perth based Super 14 franchise. And has said the offer from Perth was attractive, but Hewat wanted to stay in New South Wales.

“This is a great deal for me but more importantly it’s where I really want to be,” said Hewat.

Hewat, whose preferred position is fullback, will start on the wing for the coming game against the Hurricanes following the return from injury of Mat Rogers.

Waratahs fullback Mat Rogers will make his return from injury in Sunday’s Super 12 match against the Hurricanes at Westpac Stadium in Wellington.

Rogers has been unable to play in the Waratahs’ last four matches because of a groin injury.

The return of Rogers causes somewhat of dilemma for the Waratahs as his replacement Peter Hewart has performed so well. The Waratahs are yet to name their starting lineup, but it is likely that Hewart will be switched to the wing.

Rookie backrower Wycliff Palu sustained nerve damage in his shoulder in the game against the Crusaders and is likely to be out injured. While lock Daniel Vickerman has a shoulder injury but is likely to be fit in time to play.

The Waratahs have made two changes to their forward pack for their clash against the Crusaders at Aussie Stadium on Saturday.

Hooker Adam Freier returns the starting team. While Wycliff Palu will start at blindside flanker while Stephen Hoiles is dropped to the bench.

Last weeks three try hero, fullback Peter Hewat, remains in his position after the return of Mat Rodgers was ruled out as he has not fully recovered from his injury.

The Waratahs who are currently at the top of the table will take on forth placed Crusaders. This game will likely have a significant influence on the make-up of the semi-finals.

Waratahs: Peter Hewat, Winston Mafi, Morgan Turinui, Nathan Grey, Lote Tuqiri, Shaun Berne, Chris Whitaker (captain), David Lyons, Phil Waugh (vice-captain), Wycliff Palu, Daniel Vickerman, Alex Kanaar, Alastair Baxter, Adam Freier, Matt Dunning

Replacements: Brendan Cannon, Gareth Hardy, Rocky Elsom, Stephen Hoiles, Chris O’Young, Lachlan MacKay, Cameron Shepherd

Waratahs defeated the Bulls 42-12 at Aussie Stadium on Saturday.

Waratahs full back, Peter Hewat, starred for scoring a hat trick of tries and 34 points in total.

Hewat opened the scoring when he slotted a penalty in the ninth minute. He followed up a few minutes later when he crossed for the first try of the match.

The Bulls scored when left winger Akona Ndungane skilfully broke through the Waratahs defence for his side’s first try of the match.
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Waratahs winger Cameron Shepherd has been suspended for one Super 12 game and fined $5,000 by the New South Wales Rugby Union after damaging a car in an alcohol-related incident on Monday morning.

Shepherd and another 21-year-old have been charged for malicious damage by police after they damaged the panels and roof of a car in the inner city suburb of Pyrmont on Monday morning. He will still face court proceedings for his conduct.

Shepherd pleaded guilty to a breach of the ARU code of conduct.

Because of the suspension he will miss this Saturday’s Super 12 game against the Bulls. The NSWRU disciplinary committee declared that the fine be paid to the Spinal Injuries Unit at Royal North Shore Hospital.

Australian and Waratahs lock Justin Harrison has been suspended for three Super 12 matches for his racial slur against Cats winger Chumani Booithe Cats in South Africa last weekend.

The three match penalty will include the one-match Harrison voluntarily stood down from against the Stormers in Sydney last night. He will miss matches against the Bulls and Crusaders both to be played in Sydney.

Harrison was fined $20,000, but will escape the penalty if he completes an anti-discrimination course run by the anti-discrimination board of NSW and 30 hours of community service.

The Waratahs beat the Stormers 25-10 in a Super 12 game at the Sydney Football Stadium on Saturday.

The Waratahs were without fullback Mat Rogers because of injury and lock Justin Harrison who has voluntarily stood down pending a misconduct charge.

The Waratahs dominated the game and were able to cross for three tries. The Stormers sole try game in the last minute of the game when captain Neil De Kock was able to cross the try line.

The win is the fourth for the Waratahs this year. While the Stormers only have one win to their name this season.

Waratahs - Tries: Morgan Turinui (2), Phil Waugh. Conversions: Peter Hewat (2). Penalties: Hewat (2)

Stormers - Try: Neil De Kock. Conversion: Chris Rossouw. Penalty: Rossouw

Flanker Stephen Hoiles will make his Super 12 run-on debut for the Waratahs when they play the Stormers this Saturday night.

Prop forward Matt Dunning will miss the match with an ankle injury and is being replaced by Gareth Hardy.

Full-back Mat Rogers is still out for injured. Peter Hewat will continue to fill in for Rogers.

Waratahs - Gareth Hardy, Adam Freier, Alastair Baxter, Justin Harrison, Daniel Vickerman, Stephen Hoiles, Phil Waugh, David Lyons, Chris Whitaker (captain), Shaun Berne, Lote Tuqiri, Nathan Grey, Morgan Turinui, Cameron Shepherd, Peter Hewat

Replacements: Brendan Cannon, Aaron Broughton-Rouse, Alex Kanaar, Rocky Elsom, Wycliff Palu, Tim Donnelly, Ben Jacobs

Australia and Waratahs lock Justin Harrison has admitted racially abusing Cats winger Chumani Booi in a Super 12 match last weekend.

Harrison issued a statement apologising for his actions after the Cats lodged a complaint over the incident, believing the slur was made Nathan Grey.
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