Benn Robinson has urged NSW to get behind their team as they prepare to host New Zealand rivals the Hurricanes in their final match at Allianz Stadium on Saturday night.
With Rocky Elsom still sidelined with a shoulder injury, the 42-cap Wallaby will wear the captain’s armband this weekend and immediately called on the Tahmy Army to make their support felt when the players run out on Saturday evening.
“It means the world to play at home,” admitted Robinson. “Looking back at the Sharks game earlier this year and seeing all the fans get behind us and hearing them cheer us on was an unbelievable feeling and one that I will remember for the rest of my life. It’s the biggest rush in the world to have your screaming fans behind you.
“Of course there will be hard times as well as good times. It’s been a sign of this HSBC Waratahs team that in years gone past when things get tough we rip in deep and hope our fans will be there for us.”
And rip in they will have to against a New Zealand side who last week proved themselves to be force to be reckoned with. In a fiery trans-Tasman clash with the Rebels, reserve hooker Motu Matu'u established himself as one of the most-feared men in Super Rugby after his bone-crunching tackles on Mark Gerrard and Lachlan Mitchell reportedly left both needing hospital treatment.
One of four players to have played in all 13 matches so far this season, Robinson leads a squad that includes nine Wallabies. Amongst them is Drew Mitchell, who will run out for NSW in Sydney for the first time in over a year after making a successful a return to action in Bloemfontain last weekend.
Promoted to the starting XV, halfback Sarel Pretorius also earns his sixth start for NSW, whilst Jono Jenkins replaces Chris Alcock at breakaway to earn his ninth state cap.
If the HSBC Waratahs win on Saturday, it will be their fifth successive victory over the New Zealand outfit, who haven’t beaten the NSW side since the Super 14 semi-final in 2006, when they triumphed 16-14 in Wellington. The two teams have met 16 times in Super Rugby history, with the honours shared at eight-apiece.
Themed as Country Rugby Night, Saturday evening will be hosted by NSW’s Narromine-born flanker Pat McCutcheon and his puppy Wally. As well as the curtain raiser between the GrainCorp NSW Country Cockatoos and NSW Subbies at 5.15pm, there are plenty of reasons to get to the ground early. Pick up your free Volvo seat cushion on your way in to the ground, test your skills on the Volvo interactive skills station, upload your photos with HSBC’s photo booth and enjoy the ever-popular face painting, all located with the forecourt area by Gate A, open from 5pm. Half time will once again see the HSBC high ball challenge and it’s flash flags at the ready as one spectator will win $5000 with HSBC’s Flash for Cash.
Tickets for the FxPro Super Rugby clash between the HSBC Waratahs and Hurricanes include the Cockatoos v Subbies curtain raiser and are available online from
Ticketek priced from $20 for adults, $10 for juniors and $50 for a family of four.
HSBC WARATAHS v Hurricanes
FxPro Super Rugby round 15
Saturday June 2, 2012
Allianz Stadium, 7.40pm
15. Bernard Foley (Sydney University)
14. Tom Kingston (Sydney University)
13. Rob Horne (Southern Districts)
12. Adam Ashley-Cooper (Northern Suburbs)
11. Drew Mitchell (Balmain)
10. Berrick Barnes (Sydney University), vice captain
9. Sarel Pretorius (Gordon)
8. Wycliff Palu (Manly)
7. Jono Jenkins (Sydney University)
6. Dave Dennis (Sydney University)
5. Kane Douglas (Southern Districts)
4. Sitaleki Timani (Southern Districts)
3. Sekope Kepu (Randwick)
2. Tatafu Polota-Nau (Parramatta)
1. Benn Robinson (Eastwood), captain
Replacements
16. John Ulugia (Southern Districts)
17. Jeremy Tilse (Sydney University)
18. Richard Stanford (Eastern Suburbs)
19. Lopeti Timani (Southern Districts)
20. Brendan McKibbin (Eastern Suburbs)
21. Daniel Halangahu (Sydney University)
22. Tom Carter (Sydney University)
Coaching Staff
Michael Foley – Head Coach
Alan Gaffney – Senior Assistant Coach
Scott Bowen – Assistant Coach
Greg Mumm – Coaching Coordinator
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NSW Waratahs v Wellington (Hurricanes) 1996-2011
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Played:
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16
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Won:
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8
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Lost:
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8
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Drawn:
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0
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Points For:
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397
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Points Against:
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360
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Most Caps:
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12
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by
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Phil Waugh (2000-10)
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Most Tries:
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4
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by
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Lote Tuqiri (2003-09) & Lachie Turner (2007-10)
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Most Conversions:
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17
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by
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Matt Burke (1996-2004)
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Most Penalty Goals:
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16
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by
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Matt Burke (1996-2004)
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Most Drop Goals:
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1
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by
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Duncan McRae (1999-2003)
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Most Points:
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97
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by
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Matt Burke (1996-2004)
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Most Individual Points In A Match:
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22
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by
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Matt Burke (try, 4goals, 3pen.goals), SFS, 1996
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Highest Score:
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52
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at
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SFS, 1996
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Biggest Win:
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52-25
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at
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SFS, 1996
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Biggest Loss:
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17-42
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at
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Rugby Park, 2001
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Streak:
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WLWLLLWLWLLLWWWW
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*1996 - 1999 Wellington Hurricanes (Super 12)
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2000 - 2011 The Hurricanes (Super Rugby)
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As at 1/1/2012
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NSW Waratahs v Wellington 1882-2011
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Played:
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33
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Won:
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17
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|
|
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Lost:
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16
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|
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Drawn:
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0
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|
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Points For:
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711
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Points Against:
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635
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|
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Most Caps:
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12
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by
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Phil Waugh (2000-10)
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Most Tries:
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6
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by
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Alistair Murdoch (1990-97) & Matt Burke (1993-2004)
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Most Conversions:
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17
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by
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Matt Burke (1993-2004)
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Most Penalty Goals:
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16
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by
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Matt Burke (1993-2004)
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Most Drop Goals:
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1
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by
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William Flynn (1882), Ken Wright (1978) & Duncan McRae (1999-2003)
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Most Goals From A Mark:
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1
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by
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Stan Wickham (1901)
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Most Points:
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112
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by
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Matt Burke (1993-2004)
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Most Individual Points In A Match:
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22
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by
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Matt Burke (try, 4goals, 3pen.goals), SFS, 1996
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Highest Score:
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57
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at
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Waratah Stadium, 1993
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Biggest Win:
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57-11
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at
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Waratah Stadium, 1993
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Biggest Loss:
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22-47
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at
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Athletic Park, 1994
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17-42
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at
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Rugby Park, 2001
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*1882 - 1994 Wellington
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1996 - 1999 Wellington Hurricanes (Super 12)
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2000 - 2011 The Hurricanes (Super Rugby)
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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As at 1/1/2012
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