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After last Friday night’s disappointing loss in Christchurch, the Waratahs head to Perth to meet Western Force without a host of players on international duty. We’ll have live scores from 4.00pm AEST.
It was the game that could have kick-started a late-season run towards a finals spot for the Waratahs.
Leading the Crusaders by 12 points into the second half, Michael Cheika’s men were slowly reeled in by the red-and-black, who took a one-point lead before the Waratahs were awarded a penalty after the siren.
Berrick Barnes stepped up to take what was a very kickable shot at goal, but he skewed his attempt wide and the Waratahs had to settle for a solitary bonus point.
The loss left the Waratahs a whopping 19 points behind the first-placed Brumbies in the Australian Conference, but more importantly six points behind the sixth-placed Crusaders in the race for a qualifying finals position.
With only games against the Force and Reds (Allianz Stadium) to go, the Waratahs would need to win both and hope the Crusaders, Cheetahs and Cheetahs all went winless in their remaining matches.
While still a mathematical possibility, only the most optimistic of Waratahs fans would be entertaining a chance of finals rugby now.
The Waratahs will be without ten players – including Michael Hooper, Adam Ashley-Cooper and Israel Folau – due to Wallabies selection, with a further five sidelined through injury.
The Force enter this afternoon’s game after fielding a weakened side against the Lions on Wednesday night where they were hammered 69-17.
Seven members of the starting XV from Wednesday night have been named in the 22 for this afternoon, which also features the return of back-rower Hugh McMeniman, who makes his first start in over two months.
Angus Cottrell will start at lock in place of Ben McCalman, who has been called into the Wallabies squad, while Rory Walton will make his starting debut at lock.
After a disappointing opening to the season in which they won only two of their first ten matches, the Force have produced an encouraging last month of rugby, drawing with the Reds, beating the Highlanders and narrowly losing by a point to the Chiefs in New Zealand.
When the Waratahs and Force met at Allianz Stadium in Round 7, Michael Foley’s side were perhaps slightly unfortunate to go down 23-19 in a tight contest.
With the NSW side fielding virtually their second-choice lineup this afternoon, this one should be similiarly tight and Force fans could be celebrating a rare win over their Eastern Seaboard rivals here.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.