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It’s been two walkovers for the Lions so far in Australia and this Saturday’s game could yet be the most one sided of the lot. Despite some decent results in Super Rugby, their hosts have some worrying statistics to their name. Here’s everything you need to know about the New South Wales Waratahs.
The Waratahs were founded in 1882. The Waratahs name derives from the flower that they use as an emblem. Based in Sydney, they won the Super Rugby title in 2014 under the stewardship of recently departed Leicester Tigers head coach Michael Cheika. It was the last time a non-New Zealand team won the competition.
This season they finished 8th in Super Rugby with 6 wins, scoring just 46 tries in the process - the fewest of any Australian franchise. Their season included a famous win over the Chiefs, who would go on to make the grand final.
The struggles of the men’s team are in contrast to their women’s team, who picked up their 2nd consecutive Super Rugby W title - their 6th from a possible 8 - earlier this year. They defeated the Queensland Reds women’s team in a thrilling final before losing to Super Rugby Aupiki winners the Blues in the first ever play-off between the New Zealand and Australian women’s league winners.
The Waratahs last played the Lions on the 2013 tour where they lost 17-47. Their team on that day contained many famous faces, including Drew Mitchell, Bernard Foley, Will Skelton, Lopeti Timani & Ben Volavola.
One player who will remember that game forever is Jamie Roberts, who tore his hamstring in the 2nd half and thought his tour was over. However, he nursed himself back to health for the final test, which he promptly scored a spectacular try in. 9 years later, in 2022, he signed for the Waratahs for 1 season, playing in 11 games. It was his last contract before retiring.
The game is also memorable for a superlative performance from Lions fullback and eventual player of the series Leigh Halfpenny, who set the record for most points by a Lions player in a single game with 2 tries and 9 out of 9 kicks at goal.
Despite finishing a place above their domestic rivals the Western Force, the Waratahs had some of the worst stats in Super Rugby this season. They top the tables for converting line breaks into tries and are adept at scoring from turnovers. Otherwise, their metrics make for grim reading:
Fewest clean breaks in Super Rugby
Fewest Metres Gained in Super Rugby
Fewest defenders beaten in Super Rugby
Worst for missed tackles leading to line breaks against in the world
Worst dominant carry % in the world
Worst gainline success in Super Rugby
Worst maul metres per game in the world ARATANS
2nd worst tries off kick return in the world
2nd worst 22 entry against to try conceded in Super Rugby
Based on these statistics, it is remarkable they managed to earn 6 wins. They had a very favourable fixture list to start their campaign off, with 4 of their first 5 games being at home, but they were ultimately found out as the season went on - shock win over the Chiefs notwithstanding.
The player of the season award for the Waratahs must have been very straightforward this year as number 8 Langi Gleeson topped the majority of their stats, both offensively and defensively. He made the 2nd most carries in Super Rugby, was the ‘Tahs top try scorer and their top tackler.
Charlie Gamble also showed up well in defence with 148 tackles at 93% success and 8 turnovers, whilst winger Max Jorgensen was their most elusive ball in hand with 47% tackle evasion.
If there was ever a game for the Lions to experiment in it’s this one. A third 50 point victory in a row is in the offing and, based on the Waratahs’ statistics this year, they should be able to achieve it with any kind of line-up.
Waratahs Starting XV (1-15) Tom Lambert, Ethan Dobbins, Taniela Tupou, Fergus Lee-Warner, Miles Amatosero, Rob Leota, Charlie Gamble, Hugh Sinclair, Teddy Wilson, Jack Bowen, Darby Lancaster, Joey Walton, Lalakai Foketi, Andrew Kellaway, Lawson Creighton
Waratahs Replacements (16-23) Mahe Vailanu, Jack Barrett, Daniel Botha, Matthew Philip, Jamie Adamson, Jack Grant, Tane Edmed, Henry O'Donnell
British & Irish Lions Starting XV (1-15) Pierre Schoeman, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Finlay Bealham, Tadhg Beirne, James Ryan, Henry Pollock, Josh van der Flier, Ben Earl, Alex Mitchell, Fin Smith, Blair Kinghorn, Sione Tuipulotu, Huw Jones, Mack Hansen, Hugo Keenan
British & Irish Lions Replacements (16-23) Dan Sheehan, Ellis Genge, Tadhg Furlong, Joe McCarthy, Scott Cummings, Jac Morgan, Ben White, Marcus Smith
