Event of the Day: Waratahs versus Highlanders
Our event of the day is the Super Rugby quarter-final matchup between the Waratahs and the Highlanders at the Allianz Stadium in Sydney. The 6th seeded Highlanders will travel from Dunedin to take on the 3rd seeded Waratahs on their home pitch. The two teams last played each other in the regular season on May 21st, with the Tahs pummelling the Highlanders 41-12. Since that meeting both teams have a record of 3 wins and 2 losses and have been up and down in their play. That being said, these two squads look much different than they did when they last met in Round 14. Today’s match should be much closer as both teams match up for this big quarter-final. The Waratahs enter today’s match as the slight favourites to come out on top. Their ability to score lots of points will be key if they are to move past the Highlanders. Although exciting to watch going forward, at times their eagerness to attack leads to turnovers and they lose their defensive shape.
The Highlanders hold the advantage in the scrum and also have proved successful with their counter-attacking style. Both teams play an exciting form of rugby and we can expect lots of tries. Players to watch for the Tahs will be Kurtley Beale, Captain Bernard Foley and high flying Israel Folau. On the Highlanders, keep an eye on All Blacks Ben and Aaron Smith as well as midfielder Rob Thompson. Regardless of who comes out on top it should be a fantastic showcase of rugby today.
Honourable mentions around the globe go to the opening day of the 14th Women’s Hockey World Cup in London. The 16 day tournament is being held at the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre and will feature 16 of the world’s best field hockey teams. The first day of action is highlighted by matches between Germany and South Africa and England and India. Other Super Rugby quarter-finals taking place today are matchups between the Lions and Jaguars at Ellis Park Stadium and the Crusaders and Sharks at Rugby League Park. In San Francisco, it is day two of the Rugby World Cup Sevens at AT&T Park. It is stage 14 in the Tour de France as the riders set out from Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux and finish up in Mende. The IAAF Diamond League comes to England as Day 1 of the Mûller Anniversary Games take place at the London Stadium. The 147th Open Championship at Carnoustie is heating up in Scotland as the cut has been made and the tournament heads into the final two rounds of play. Major League Soccer action takes place at Talen Energy Stadium as the Philadelphia Union play host to the LA Galaxy.
Whatever you’re watching, enjoy!
Photos by Super Rugby