[VIDEO] Force vs Waratahs: Super Rugby live scores, blog, highlights

Roar Guru

12th April, 2014

6676 Reads

Teams:

Waratahs
1. Benn Robinson , 2. Tatafu Polota Nau , 3. Sekope Kepu , 4.Will Skelton , 5. Kane Douglas , 6. Jacques Potgieter , 7. Michael Hooper , 8. Dave Dennis (c), 9. Nick Phipps , 10. Bernard Foley , 11. Rob Horne , 12. Kurtley Beale, 13. Adam Ashley-Cooper , 14. Cam Crawford , 15 Israel Folau.

Replacements: 16. Tolu Latu , 17. Jeremy Tilse , 18. Paddy Ryan , 19. Stephen Hoiles , 20. Pat McCutcheon, 21. Brendan McKibbin , 22 Jono Lance ,23. Matt Carraro

Force
1. Pek Cowan,2. Nathan Charles,3. Kieran Longbottom,4. Sam Wykes ,5. Wilhelm Steenkamp ,6. Angus Cottrell,7. Matt Hodgson (c),8. Ben McCalman,9. Alby Mathewson,10. Sias Ebersohn,11. Nick Cummins ,12. Kyle Godwin,13. Marcel Brache,14. Luke Morahan ,15. Jayden Hayward

Replacements: 16. Heath Tessmann,17. Tetera Faulkner ,18. Ollie Hoskins,19. Adam Coleman,20. Brynard Stander,21. Ian Prior,22. Zack Holmes ,23. Chris Tuatara-Morrison

Kickoff: 7:40pm AEST
Venue: nib Stadium
Last meeting: Waratahs 43-21 Force
Referee: Angus Gardner
Head-to-Head: Waratahs 9, Force 2, 1 draw
Betting: Waratahs $1.51, Force $2.57

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Waratahs flanker Michael Hooper against the Force (Source: AJF Photography)

Adam Julian

Roar Guru

12th April, 2014

393

6676 Reads

In Round 1, Israel Folau scored a hat-trick in this fixture as the Waratahs cruised to 43-21 victory in Sydney. Eight weeks later Folau is back from a throat injury and the Force are in the best form of their short career. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 7:35pm (AEDT).

A franchise record four wins in a row has the west buzzing. The Force has never been better or more settled.

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They have knocked over the Rebels, Highlanders, Chiefs and Reds in the last month and made just one change for this top of the table clash in the Australian conference. American-born Marcel Brache earns his first start at centre, after two strong displays off the bench.

The Waratahs have selected Rob Horne and Cam Crawford on the wings, but otherwise have a settled look as well.

Crawford gets his first game in 2014, courtesy of a broken foot to left wing Peter Betham. Eight tries in seven games last season gave Crawford the best tries-to-games ratio in Super Rugby but off-season surgery on his left shoulder stalled his charge.

Horne’s second chance in the number 14 jersey comes due to a knee injury to Alofa Alofa. Horne missed the Stormers game due to suspension.

With Folau back in at fullback, his stand-in for the last two weeks – Kurtley Beale – returns to inside centre, re-establishing the partnership with 91-test veteran Adam Ashley-Cooper. The halves combination and forward pack remains the same as last week.

Some big battles to watch for in this game include: Matt Hodgson (the form seven in Super Rugby) clashing with 2013 Australian Super Rugby player of the year, Michael Hooper.

Nick Phipps (improving all the time) marks the highly-underrated and hugely experienced Alby Mathewson.

Pek Cowan, who played five Tests for the Wallabies in 2009, will tussle with Sekope Kepu.

The Waratahs have more firepower out wide, but if the Force can hustle as well as they have down at the breakdown in recent matches, then there is no reason why the winning streak won’t be extended to five.

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