This Super Rugby round will be vital to coaches Michael Foley and Jake White. Waratah Foley is in Perth to do battle tonight with a resurgent Force, hoping Friday the 13th is but a myth.
Brumby White has the top of the Australian Conference to defend tomorrow night against the improving Rebels at Canberra Stadium.
The defending champion Reds have a bye to lick their wounds after three successive defeats, and to count the days to when Quade Cooper, Mike Harris, Ben Lucas, and the Fainga’a twins return from injury.
On paper, the Waratahs and Brumbies should win. But should, and paper, don’t count anymore.
The Waratahs are coming off a bye, so they’re fresh. Foley has made the understatement of the season that it’s time his team made some noise.
The Waratahs are a far better side than two wins and four losses, and have the backline cattle in Berrick Barnes, Tom Carter, Rob Horne, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Bernard Foley, and the exciting young winger Tom Kingston, providing the pack can win them clean and quick ball.
There’s the problem – David Pocock.
The Force’s inspirational captain and one of the best pilferers in world rugby, Pocock is a one-man destruction unit. Throw in the likes of evergreen lock Nathan Sharpe, Richard Brown, Nathan Charles, and Toby Lynn, and the much-vaunted Waratahs pack will be under intense pressure for the entire 80 minutes.
There is a litmus test here, In their last games, the powerhouse Chiefs have beaten the Force 20-12, and the Waratahs 30-13. But in the credit column, the Force hammered the Reds 45-19 in their previous game.
This Force-Waratahs clash should go down to the wire, especially as NIB Stadium is likely to be a full house.
In Canberra, how Kurtley Beale and James O’Connor play for the Rebels will severely test the Brumbies, who have found a new lease on life under Jake White.
The South African Rugby World Cup-winning coach believes the Brumbies can keep Beale and O’Connor quiet. A mighty big call.
Concentrating on the talented twosome will leave plenty of holes for Mark Gerrard, Lachlan Miller, and Mitch Inman to show their speed to great effect. Having said that, Beale and O’Connor invariably find a way around close marking.
Watch for Brumby full-back Jesse Mogg, one of the most exciting custodians in the tournament, bobbing up from nowhere with incisive runs on a regular basis. He doesn’t look the part, but he sure fulfils it.
Flanker Michael Hooper is another Brumby to watch. He’s a junior Pocock.
This game should be close, as well.
In the wash-up, it’s Michael Foley, Jake White, and two question marks? The underdogs are barking.
sportym
Guest
White feeling the pinch? What? cause all the OZ press talked up the Brumbies before the start of the season? I think the press labelled them as lame horses! Foley feeling the pinch sure! And so will the next, next, next NSW coach year in and year out, as the press continues to get stuck into them, win or lose. Not quite sure what the NSW media agenda is, they backstab thier own tahs, and also put the boot into the other teams, the only comic relief tends to be Growdens team of the week...... a good laugh each week White is delivering beyond expectation!
ilikedahoodoogurusingha
Guest
As slight aside, I think the title of this article is slightly misleading. The only coach feeling the pinch this weekend is Foley......most pundits thought that the 'Tahs would finish 1 or 2 in the Aus conference (they may still do), not many expected the Brumbies to be anywhere (I seem to recall some pundits saying they woud finish last.....they may still do). My point is there is plenty of pressure on Foley, none or little on Jake White......the Brumbies have already performed above expectations, anything above a bottom 2 finish in the conference is a positive......there is no pressure and no unreasonable expectations on them this year.......2013 however is a different kettle of fish.
Jiggles
Roar Guru
It will be interesting to see if TPN, and to a lesser extent Robinson, pull their fingers out tonight and actually do some work at the breakdown. TPN has been a joke this year.
Markus
Guest
I notice they've just released Jono Owen for him to sign a short-term contract with the Rebels. Does that open a spot to contract another player into their 30-man squad?
Justin
Guest
I hear what you are saying but its become comical how often it happens. Fair dinkum we ask players to be able to do the basics. Well whats good for the goose...
Justin
Guest
Not from what I have seen in his 2 seasons with the Rebels to date David. Honest yes but he has a LONG way to go to be very good. I'd argue most Rebels supporters hold a similar view.
dcnz
Guest
DHE, I think you might be defaming teenager girls here. at least they show fervent support for their heroes such as One Direction. As a Canes fan, i find the inter-state bickering hilarious. But sometimes its plain childish. This is what i like to see in order of importance every weekend: a Canes win, a great game whoever wins, the underdog to cause an upset, and then a NZ team win. I have been watching rugby for 30 years so I can appreciate being beaten by a better team. I was a bit upset the Stormers beat the Highlanders, but they were so good I was happy to see complete and clinical rugby.
Max Power
Guest
Which is why Fardy, who's on an EPS contract is allowed to play. Once Colby is back White won't be allowed to pick Fardy unless there's another injury.
DHE
Guest
Hey guys, Can we keep the comments above the belt on here. Surely most posters are above 40? Do you need to criticize the classic Lordy small mistakes in an article, as far as im concerned that lax on the part of the editor as much as anything. A lot of you come across like my little sisters, moody menstrual hormonal teenage girls. Debate substance and criticize argument. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
David Lord
Guest
Justin, you are quite right, Lachlan Mitchell not Miller, and he is a very good footballer.
DingoBob
Guest
Having watched Fotu play in the pre season trials for the Western District Lions I am also looking forward to see how he goes in the Super Rugby arena. He is a dynamic ball runner and very exciting to watch. I'm not sure Iw ould wan to be facing up to this http://www.westslions.com.au/images/2012_Trial_Vikings/27_Trial_Vikings_2012_2nds.jpg
Justin
Guest
Dont worry Rhino with Lordy Lord you get used to numerous mistakes in his articles and apparently "Lachlan Miller" is a very good footballer too...
Rhino
Guest
Reds aren't licking their wounds with a bye after three successive defeats. They beat top of the table Brumbies last week.
Markus
Guest
Yep, mentioned similar the other day. Faingaa will have been watching on in frustration as Hooper cements his spot as the team's top openside, and with Lipman likely to depart the Rebels soon enough, I think they will be looking to snap up one of these two very talented youngsters.
Justin
Guest
I would imagine that the Rebels would have him on their radar, he is a good footballer and if Hooper is at the Brumbies then he will want/need match time.
Ilikedahoodoogurusingha
Guest
Colby is still on the injured list.
Ilikedahoodoogurusingha
Guest
I for one Brett am looking forward to the look on Cipriani's face when Auelua is bearing down on him at full speed. Eddie Jones has certainly been talking him up this morning.
Sam Taulelei
Roar Guru
David Is that not the same backline that played the Chiefs. In that match the Tahs forwards provided more than enough good ball for their backs to use. There were opportunities created but not finished off. I don't know what the problem is with the Waratahs specifically but watching all the matches to date, constructing tries from setpieces and showing flair or creativity from broken play has been largely missing from all the Australian backlines so far.
bmwwilliams
Guest
Gary, he's still at the Brumbies. I believe he hasn't played a game this year due to injury, so I doubt White has had the chance to assess him one way or the other. From the promise he's showed in previous seasons though, he's definitely one to hang on to.
Brett McKay
Expert
ha, no I don't, James, but I just mean both sets of locks have been playing really well this year for their relative experience, and are all starting to get noticed, which is great...