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
Magic Sponge
Guest
It is sad one team did not even try and still flogged the opposition.
Dogs Of War
Roar Guru
Had a further look, most of the membership options have expired unless you want to commit for all the rest of the games at Allianz. What a silly thing to do.
Dogs Of War
Roar Guru
Whats even sillier is that all the 2 game membership options have expired now (21st), would would have been good to keep as a lead in to this weekends match so increase memberships (Even if you have a booth outside the ground saying join and see a second game for stuff all really). Then you have names and contact details of people who are interested in the sport and you can follow up with them next year (and years after) to see if they want to join again. Was going to buy one today but I wanted to see how the boys would play first. Now I won't be going at all.
Rebel
Guest
Fardy started in the second row, why is everyone picking him at 6.
Matthew Skellett
Guest
Hahaaa
scrumpoacher
Guest
First game of the season-relax and enjoy...
DMac
Guest
Might as well just give them the title now then.
Justin3
Guest
Two things struck me. The field kicking across the park was pathetic, absolutely pathetic. No excuses, it's clearly not a practiced skill. The second was this ridiculous New idea to kick fur touch instead of goal. Thank goodness for foxtel iq....
bennalong
Guest
This was a scrappy game like the rest. But there was plenty for Tahs fans to relish! Cheika has achieved his aim in bringing Potgeiter in.......the big units have increased their intensity. I didn't see it on tele but Breads dot down was fantastic. Foley wasn't distracted by the prospect of Kurtley gold and got the backline going Sure there was dropped ball. Sure Foley missed an early penalty. But there's no doubt he's the goods Hooper was his usual dynamo self. No point in comparing him to Gill or Poey. Phipps did the job. Beale engineered his own try (or the move that resulted in it) Kane Douglas stepped of his left foot! Kane Douglas scored! Skelton is just a kid but he's getting better and better. Cheika pulled him early and I hope that's the plan. Potgeiter is not Schalk Berger Lite Biltong, He's our own powerful brute and a worry fo opponents. He's bashed Sketon and he's bashed Douglas. They probably don't bash him back but they have to bash someone. It's a bit raw but committed Tahs followers have been dreaming of mongrel Mongrel, speed and grace We've got'em all! Come on the Reds!
RobC
Guest
Yep. Hooper was captain at the end
DMac
Guest
Yeah I agree he wasn't flash, but he didn't need to be. I think he struggled a little having a second playmaker outside him.
DMac
Guest
Nah, the west stand was quite full. No one was on the east because it sucks for arvo games, sun right in your eyes. Easily 15k, I would have said more actually.
DMac
Guest
Am I right that Hooper took over as captain after Dennis came off? Might be the way of the future.
DMac
Guest
There's always negativity after a Tahs game. There's an element here who exist only to make Tahs fans miserable. You get used to it.
bennalong
Guest
Mathew Skellet, Come out from behind your nom de plume. Troll!
jameswm
Guest
According to you? No bias there.
jameswm
Guest
Or even the EOYT. 3 years, plucked that one out of thin air. One game into the season and everyone knows everything.
jameswm
Guest
I don't make that mistake Dougie. If they taught you to read north of the border you'd see I said no one knows the result in advance.
jameswm
Guest
Don't get me wrong. He's a good player and has to start at 10 for the Tahs. He just had a bad night.
Toby from Narrabeen
Guest
Wow a lot of negativity here, I thoroughly enjoyed my Sunday arvo, 6 tries to 2, I'll take that any day, sure there was too much dropped ball & the second half took a while to get going but it was the first game of the season & definitely more entertaining than some of the other matches. Bit of a master stroke by letting all the fans onto the field at full time, kids. & adults were clearly thrilled to be out there. Special mention to Jaques P the "human missile" I hope he stays injury free cos his passion & willingness to launch is really impressive