Reds vs Waratahs Tips - Reds to win Super Rugby AU opener

The Reds have a far stronger squad than the Waratahs who are filled with promising youngsters. I'm backing the hosts to win by more than nine points.

The Waratahs have won 12 of their last 13 matches against the Reds. Their last encounter saw the Tahs’ produce their best performance of the season, winning 45-12 in Sydney.

Like most rugby union teams in the Southern Hemisphere, the Reds have hardly played rugby since the 2020 Super Rugby AU campaign concluded.

Many of the players represented Australia late in 2020, but this will be their first piece of action since. Expect it to be a slow start but the rugby will improve as the weeks go on.

Last season the Reds made the Super Rugby AU final where they ultimately lost 28-23 in Canberra to the Brumbies. The Reds will be looking to go one better, and are once again second favourites behind last year’s champions.

The Reds have largely managed to keep their squad together from last season. That can only be looked upon favourably as they go in search of the title.

There is plenty of quality in the back division with Jock Campbell, Bryce Hegarty, Tate McDermott, James O’Connor, Hunter Paisami and Jordan Petaia all available.

It looks an ominous squad and one that shouldn’t be taken lightly.

The Waratahs had a very inconsistent 2020. Before COVID-19 struck, the Tahs’ were having a horrid Super Rugby tournament, but that competition was suspended and later cancelled altogether.

When rugby recommenced, the Waratahs produced some excellent performances, but also some very poor ones. They ended their Super Rugby AU campaign in fourth place with four wins and four defeats. 

This year the Sydney-based outfit will be searching for consistency. If they were to achieve that they could put real pressure on the Reds.

The Waratahs will have another year of rebuild with their squad filled with very talented youth players. 

Flyhalf, Will Harrison was the find of the season in 2020. He will want to show further improvement as he pushes for international honours.

The experience and quality of the versatile Jack Maddocks will be crucial to the Tahs’ keeping their head above water. 

The biggest loss for the Waratahs is long time captain, Michael Hooper. They will miss his leadership badly.