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The Waratahs will start as favourites against the Western Force but Michael Foley’s men will fancy their chances of causing the upset if the hosts once again struggle to deal with the burden of expectation. Join us for live scores and commentary from 4.00pm AEDT.
The Super Rugby season is underway and once again the Waratahs find themselves rated as a team that possesses the potential and the players to win both the Australian conference and overall championship.
On paper, the Waratahs simply have no excuses for under performing this season. The Wallabies in their ranks are all seasoned professionals capable of beating the very best.
Of course, a team of champions doesn’t always make a champion team and this is where the Waratahs have fallen over in the past.
The names have always been there for NSW but the attacking and defensive chemistry has generally been lacking in season’s gone by.
For the Waratahs to be successful this season, key attacking stars Israel Folau, Kurtley Beale and Bernard Foley are all going to have to click together.
Of course, a team’s attacking potency will only be realised if the forwards do their job and establish territorial dominance over the opposition.
Despite finishing with just four wins last season, the Force will provide a stern challenge upfront against the Waratahs this afternoon.
Force forwards Matt Hodgson, Ben McCalman and Hugh McMeniman lead a strong pack that will test a NSW pack eager to impress at home.
The Force are still a team on the rise, but two upset victories over the Canterbury Crusaders and ACT Brumbies last season show that they are a side capable of beating the very best on their day.
NSW will also have to keep an eye on the Force’s creative stocks with Luke Morahan, Nick Cummins and Kyle Goodwin all genuine talents that will do damage on the scoreboard if the Waratahs turn up with complacency.
With both teams set to begin the season with strong optimism, today’s contest promises to be a competitive and entertaining affair.
While the Force will certainly be no pushovers this afternoon, the Waratahs at their best possess the skill and personnel to start their Super Rugby campaign with a win.
Waratahs by 10