The Saturday Super Rugby marathon – there are still two more matches coming up from South Africa after this one – continues from nib Stadium this evening, with Western Force hosting the Crusaders. We’ll have live scores and commentary from 9.45pm AEST.
After a slow start to the season the Crusaders are starting to play some good rugby.
However they are on their way back from a bruising and tiring South African tour with some of their forwards in particular crying out for rest.
Last week they lost the match against the Sharks through ill-discipline and coach Todd Blackadder will be looking at this match with apprehension.
Perth has never been a happy-hunting ground for the men from Canterbury, the Force boast one win and two draws from five matches against the Crusaders in Perth.
There was hope for the red and blacks though at least until Wednesday when Dan ‘the man’ Carter, who was due to return from paternity leave, was ruled out with a slight hamstring strain.
Carter has flown back to Christchurch to join Kieran Read on the injury bench while Ritchie McCaw is off enjoying his sabbatical.
It leaves the Crusaders vulnerable. In the two games the Crusaders have been without the world’s premier flyhalf they have scored just two tries compared to 17 in their previous three matches.
The Force meanwhile are a team slowly moving in the right direction. They have almost had a complete re-launch since the arrival of Michael Foley as head coach and while their results are no better than in previous years (only one win from 7 matches so far), their play is definitely on the improve.
Positive noises out of St Leonards recently about offering additional assistance to the Force and the Rebels also give the faithful ‘sea of blue’ supporters reason to hope that their days at the bottom of the Super Rugby table are numbered.
We’ll have to wait and see what the Force’s line-up looks like on the day because Michael Foley doesn’t release the team lists until the last possible moment.
However with their best-performing forward Hugh ‘The Madness’ McMeniman out injured for probably six weeks it seems unlikely that the Force will be causing an upset tonight.
The big question mark over this match is will the Crusaders unleash the Whitelock clan again? All four brothers started together last week – that’s Sam, George, Luke and Adam for those keeping score.
Join the action here on The Roar from 9.45pm AEST and if you’re watching or following along, don’t hesitate to leave your thoughts in the space below.
Nathan of Perth
Guest
He's being facetious.
Nathan of Perth
Guest
Last Force win over a Kiwi team that I can find: 3 June, 2011 (Round 16), over the Highlanders in Dunedin, 21-14. Long time between drinks, but we'll take it!
Nathan of Perth
Guest
Don't think, just enjoy!
Shane
Guest
If they played the new zealand teams more often every nz team would be in the top 8. If the force win against the canes next week and if the tahs win against the cheifs then I will agree with you.
Rebel
Guest
Someone bump the record player, it's stuck.
Rebel
Guest
Yawn
Jak
Guest
Someone's upset. The NZ teams pick up easy points by playing each other. If they had to play the Aussie teams more there's no way they'd be in the top 6. How much longer will they persist with this conference system that clearly favours the weaker NZ conference?
Billy Bob
Guest
Isaac yeh what happened to their last coach? He was much better.
Bazza Allblack Supporter
Roar Rookie
Good weekend for Aussie conference. Does it mean this year wallabies be back to scary form of yesteryear? Worrying signs of all blacks illness - awesome attacking but dropsies before finish. He'll, super 15 race finally got exciting!
bluerose (Rotuma Island).
Guest
that Walton guy is huge
WEST
Roar Guru
mmm have to agree jig, ...this week at least. Enjoy
HighTackle
Guest
So why is it doing better than Australias?
DMac
Guest
And Waratahs.
Jiggles
Roar Guru
Yeah that NZ conference is crap!
WEST
Roar Guru
HOLY S### seen it all now, Crusaders going down to the force, Its as bad as it can get for NZ rugby. Poor....POOR poor, Crusaders summed it up. poor handling, poor attacking, soft defence and just crap .Good to see Guilford back. It can only get better Check the tapes watch there circus performance and eliminate there sideway approach and straighten to spearhead attacking. And remind themselves there getting to the pointy end of competition. Bring on next week, over this one.
Rob na Champassak
Roar Guru
Cheer up. The 'saders play six of their last nine games at home. They will still make the finals.
HighTackle
Guest
1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2012. Wow 11 wins for NZ teams! Aust = 3.
HighTackle
Guest
Boo hoo? NZs conference is clearly stronger than Australias. Thats why we have more teams in the top 6 than Aust. Boo hoo is what Aust fans do when they cant beat NZ. They get all emotional and turn on their players, coach and team. Thats why 10 years without the Bledisloe has made them all bitter and twisted. 10 years! 10 whole years, wow thats a really long time. I think its like 23-6 to NZ since 2003. Aust are kinda like NZs bunnies in a way. NZ have won against Aust in the last 10 years at a higher rate than they have against everyone over the history of the game and that includes teams like Spain!! Wow.
Chivas
Guest
fahrk... the only nz team was one that played another nz team... they better get their act together. The chiefs were the most woeful, the crusaders second, highlanders third... Big grats to the Force, huge...Reds and Brumbies... all absolutely deserved winners. I need more beer, this is crap. I'll remain drunk till next week think. Till then thanks a bunch RK, BT... good calling, great work... Faaaarrrhhhkkk
Kempy
Guest
Apparently JK is up to his 6 Nations tricks, not giving a toss what the sidey says and awarding the advantage to the defensive side. Wow JK, you retirement cant come soon enough - hopefully diehard fans will still be watching in 2014. Sad man.