29 Apr 2018

Waratahs out to break Australian drought when they take on the Blues

4:49 pm on 29 April 2018

Israel Folau's keenly-watched return to action this week may well coincide with the end of Australia's embarrassing Super Rugby drought against New Zealand teams.

Wallabies ace Folau is expected to play for the first time since airing his controversial religious beliefs about homosexuality on social media when the NSW Waratahs face the Blues on Saturday.

NSW Waratahs fullback Israel Folau

NSW Waratahs fullback Israel Folau Photo: © Clay Cross / PHOTOSPORT 2018

The Brumbies' 21-8 home loss to the Crusaders on Saturday made it 36-straight wins for Kiwi teams against Australian sides.

If that streak is to be broken it must surely be when the Tahs host the hapless and injury-ravaged Blues at Brookvale Oval.

The Blues' record against their four New Zealand conference rivals is so bad that the joke goes they should be relegated to the Australian conference.

Coach Tama Umaga's team have gone two seasons - 15 derby games in all - without defeating a New Zealand rival and had injured superstar Sonny Bill Williams (wrist) among 17 players not available through injury last week.

They have a 2-7 record this season, having become the first NZ team to suffer a home loss to Argentina's Jaguares, while the Waratahs have been the pick of the Australian teams.

NSW, who will be rested after a bye, were the last team to defeat a Trans-Tasman rival, in May 2016, when they smashed the Chiefs.

While the Kiwi hoodoo remains, the Brad Thorn coached Queensland Reds pulled off an almighty upset by beating the Lions 27-22 to keep their season alive.

"We're not an 80-minute team yet ... " Thorn said.

"It was just good seeing them turn up and play."

The fourth win of their campaign lifted the Reds to 17 points and above the Brumbies on the Australian conference table - with both sides having a bye next week.

The Brumbies had their chances at home but failed to take advantage of the Crusaders being two men down for eight minutesin a 21-8 loss.

Disciplinary issues cost the Melbourne Rebels in their 34-18 loss against the Stormers in Cape Town as they slumped to a fourth-straight loss.

Their discipline will be tested again when they host the top of the standings Crusaders at AAMI Park on Friday, although they will be boosted by the availability of star halfback Will Genia.

The Rebels are three points adrift of Australian conference leaders NSW, who have a game in hand.

-AAP