The Australian and New Zealand Super Rugby teams are set to battle it out for supremacy across Super Rugby Trans-Tasman.
Rugby.com.au will be previewing every Australian team along with their New Zealand counterparts.
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After a disappointing Super Rugby AU season, the NSW Waratahs enter Super Rugby Trans-Tasman with nothing to lose.
The Waratahs will open their campaign against the Hurricanes at home, who finished at the bottom of the Super Rugby Aotearoa table.
After a short trip to NZ to face the Blues, they will then host a 2014 Super Rugby Grand Final rematch at WIN Stadium, Wollongong on May 29 in Round 3.
This will be followed by a clash with the Highlanders in Dunedin before returning home to Brookvale Oval to face the Chiefs, which will be shown on 9Gem.
Full Fixtures
NSW Waratahs v Hurricanes, Friday 14 May, SCG, Sydney, 7:45pm
Blues v NSW Waratahs, Saturday 22 May, Eden Park, Auckland, 2:35pm
NSW Waratahs v Crusaders, Saturday 29 May, WIN Stadium, Wollongong, 3:05pm
Highlanders v NSW Waratahs, Saturday 5 June, Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin, 5:05pm
NSW Waratahs v Chiefs, Saturday 12 June, Brookvale Oval, Sydney 7:45pm
2021 has been a tough year for the NSW Waratahs. They went winless throughout the competition, picking up just three points.
Despite their record, they gave themselves plenty of chances to win, with three games against the Force (x2) and the Brumbies coming down to the last play.
The horror run saw coach Rob Penney sacked mid-way through the season, replaced by co-coaches Jason Gilmore and Chris Whittaker.
For the Waratahs, their final game against the Highlanders could be crucial for their future.
If they continue their AU form into Super Rugby Trans-Tasman, the Waratahs could realistically head into Round Five without a win in 2021.
For the side from NSW, they need to find a way to break their drought to have any positive momentum heading into 2022. The return to Brookvale Oval against a Highlanders team who could be out of final contention at this stage could be their best bet.
Maddocks performance throughout 2021 sums up the Waratahs: flashes of brilliance but lacking consistency.
Whenever the Waratahs have looked strong, it's often off the back of a brilliant break by Maddocks, evident during their Round Nine loss to the Force.
If they want to record a win, Maddocks needs to step up and takeover their attack, helping the likes of Izaia Perese and Lalakai Foketi get good ball and attack the line.
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