Super Rugby Round 1 LIVE: Waratahs take on the Highlanders in Sydney

Good evening and happy Valentine’s Day to all of you rugby fans.

We have waited patiently, and finally, it is here, the new-look Waratahs are taking on the Highlanders at Allianz Stadium in round one of Super Rugby.

I will be taking you through the first part of proceedings and my colleague Dom Brock could well come in as an impact sub later.

Talking points? There are quite a few. After last season’s annus horribilis where the Tahs were welded to bottom of the ladder with just two wins against a decidedly off-colour Crusaders, we are back with a new coach in Dan McKellar and a new roster filled with Wallabies who have arrived from Melbourne.

The Waratahs have also been given a kind draw, they face a well-organised Highlanders tonight at home, buoyed by a home crowd desperate to see what Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii can do with more space at fullback.

Suaalii will hog the headlines, but spare some love for the frontrow. We have a potential Wallabies starting front three of Angus Bell, a fit again Dave Porecki at hooker and Taniela Tupou who is looking to shine at his new club.

Last year in the Waratahs’ first home game against the Highlanders in round three five-eighth Tane Edmed missed a penalty after the siren, time for redemption?

Looking forward to this.