With little wriggle room in a congested Australian conference, the NSW Waratahs are acutely aware of the importance of bursting the Western Force’s bubble in Saturday’s Super Rugby derby in Perth.
If ever there’s an “eight-point” match, it will come at nib Stadium where the fourth-placed Waratahs can open up a potentially decisive break on the fifth-placed Force – or surrender their spot in Australia’s top two to the WA surprise packets.
Approaching the halfway point of the competition, three Australian sides are positioned in the overall top five, with the Brumbies one point ahead of NSW, the Force another two points back and the Queensland Reds still well in the mix for a finals berth just a further two points adrift.
Away wins are the rarest commodity in 2014 and Waratahs coach Michael Cheika admits a victory over the Force in Perth would be priceless.
“Obviously it’s an important game in the bigger picture of the comp, that’s for sure,” Cheika said on Tuesday.
“It’s an away game and they have been so hard to win – across the board for any team – so if we can take a home game off one of our conference challengers, then it puts you in a good position.
“But we’re very aware they’re a team that’s been on a roll and firing on all cylinders.
“It’s going to be very difficult but the lads are feeling good and they’re up for the challenge.”
The Force are riding a club-record four-game winning streak, their last-up defeat of the Reds in Brisbane placing the Waratahs on high alert.
The Force have a habit of troubling the Tahs and even after losing to NSW in round one in Sydney, Cheika sensed they were in for a good year.
“It doesn’t surprise me at all now to see them winning because they’ve got a good team with x-factor players, guys who can make a break, score tries and create something out of nothing,” he said.
“They’ve got a bit of edge around their forward pack and they work hard.
“They’ll always have a good set piece with Michael Foley as coach, so they’ve got the basis there of a very successful formula.”
Cheika is once again hopeful that Wallabies fullback Israel Folau will return this weekend after missing both matches in South Africa with a throat injury.
“He’ll train today. He’s just got to get through his contact work well and he should be okay,” he said.
Beating the Stormers in Cape Town without Folau, who bagged eight tries in his first four games this campaign, was particularly pleasing for the Waratahs on Sunday when Kurtley Beale excelled as his fill-in.
Against the Force, the Waratahs must win without another Wallaby star after No.8 Wycliff Palu returned to Sydney on Tuesday for further treatment for an ankle injury.
Gaffa
Guest
Chook isn't full time he is a consultant based in qld so I wouldn't credit to much to him. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
DJW
Roar Rookie
Palu?
Beelong
Guest
Force at home....4 game winning streak....TAHS wounded "tigers" on the prowl fresh from the saffari....ooo...im backing the Force ;)
jameswm
Guest
Overconfident? Who said? Also, the only 1st choice players I can think of who are injured are the wingers.
Crazy Horse
Guest
A full strength Force at home versus an injury depleted, travel weary and overconfident Tahs. Bring it on!
Crazy Horse
Guest
They still scored three tries against the Lions. Foley was handed a dud by the ARU being forced to play a mid week Lions game with a proper match four days later.
bennalong
Guest
Sorry Jeznez I won't forget that horrible period for the Tahs or his decision to deny his best players a go at a Lions clash
jeznez
Roar Guru
He is still head coach. Think we have to keep eating that pie. If one of them moves on and Foley returns to form then he will open himself up to criticism again. For now kudos to him and his team.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Yep, read Palu is still out. Hoiles and McCutcheon on the bench. Same as last week
Magic Sponge
Guest
Im from Bondi, but have been here in Perth for two years, plenty of Easts shute shield players playing for the Force ie Hodgson, Tessman and Pat Delit. have to acknowledge how great the force are going . Cant wait for the game. Go the tahs
Blinky Bill of Bellingen NSW
Guest
Is that right about Fowler? Bugger me!!! I've been busy eating humble pie because I've figured that it was a case of credit to Foley for the Force's solid improvement. :(
Working Class Rugger
Roar Guru
So you talk up the values of the Shute Shield and yet you live in WA. Interesting as every other West Australian Rugby fan is for the NRC. Unless you're from Sydney and don't realise this game is in Perth.
bennalong
Guest
It certainly isn't Foley. Spiro reckons it isn't a Michael behind the Force's improvement but a chook (Fowler)!
bennalong
Guest
100% agree!
Justin3
Guest
I think Foley plays best when he is THE man rather sharing duties with Beale. He is the better playmaker, Beale the better individual/runner.
Paul
Guest
Pretty sure I read somewhere Palu's being ruled out and flew back to Sydney for ankle treatment
jameswm
Guest
That being Michael Hooper!
jameswm
Guest
What about Palu? He'll start at 8 for sure, now he's fit. JP will start at lock with Skelton and Hoiles on the bench. Handy couple of guys to have there.
Michael
Guest
It's the battle of the Michaels. May the best Michael win.
jeznez
Roar Guru
If Kepu's ankle is ok I think we will see a good scrum battle. If Ryan starts it will be advantage Force.