In Round 1, Israel Folau scored a hat-trick in this fixture as the Waratahs cruised to 43-21 victory in Sydney. Eight weeks later Folau is back from a throat injury and the Force are in the best form of their short career. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 7:35pm (AEDT).
A franchise record four wins in a row has the west buzzing. The Force has never been better or more settled.
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They have knocked over the Rebels, Highlanders, Chiefs and Reds in the last month and made just one change for this top of the table clash in the Australian conference. American-born Marcel Brache earns his first start at centre, after two strong displays off the bench.
The Waratahs have selected Rob Horne and Cam Crawford on the wings, but otherwise have a settled look as well.
Crawford gets his first game in 2014, courtesy of a broken foot to left wing Peter Betham. Eight tries in seven games last season gave Crawford the best tries-to-games ratio in Super Rugby but off-season surgery on his left shoulder stalled his charge.
Horne’s second chance in the number 14 jersey comes due to a knee injury to Alofa Alofa. Horne missed the Stormers game due to suspension.
With Folau back in at fullback, his stand-in for the last two weeks – Kurtley Beale – returns to inside centre, re-establishing the partnership with 91-test veteran Adam Ashley-Cooper. The halves combination and forward pack remains the same as last week.
Some big battles to watch for in this game include: Matt Hodgson (the form seven in Super Rugby) clashing with 2013 Australian Super Rugby player of the year, Michael Hooper.
Nick Phipps (improving all the time) marks the highly-underrated and hugely experienced Alby Mathewson.
Pek Cowan, who played five Tests for the Wallabies in 2009, will tussle with Sekope Kepu.
The Waratahs have more firepower out wide, but if the Force can hustle as well as they have down at the breakdown in recent matches, then there is no reason why the winning streak won’t be extended to five.
MichaelA
Guest
MichaelA
Guest
"How come no one notices how bad Phipps is" Because his competitors do a pretty poor job of showing him up, that's why. .
MichaelA
Guest
"Honestly how do you think they will compete against the tot SA teams in SA?" How would anyone know? Seriously. Start of the season, Crusaders lost three out of four home games, and the home win was only by one point. Yet they've just won two games in SA. How Force goes in SA is up to them.
RobC
Roar Guru
The Badge becoming the biggest Oz Rugby Ambassador. Including Folau.
Jerry
Guest
I'm not the one counting my chickens in April, Redsfan - the Force and Brumbies haven't been to SA yet either....
Jono
Guest
well, seeing as he is essentially the ARU's employee (based on where the majority of his money comes from) they are only protecting their investment. that or - the tah's medical staff are useless, or the ARU thinks they are. either way. interesting precedent
Redsfan1
Guest
Yes because the Highlanders are so great they will be there for the finals for sure with only trips to South Africa & Australia to come. And with the impressive home record of the Crusaders this season they are guaranteed.
Hopperdoggy
Guest
Watching the attitude of the Force players, I'm wondering how much of Foley's lack of success at the Tahs was due to the attitude of the Tahs players. Certainly their attitude last night was average at best.....
Jerry
Guest
Then it's a pity for the Aussie teams that the finals don't happen in April.
The Bush
Roar Guru
I thought he was coaching in Japan?
Daws
Guest
And I thankyou for your sacrifice BB ;)
Daws
Guest
Just like the Force sent the chiefs ones there a few weeks ago OJ?
Daws
Guest
Yep, well done Brett. Didn't think the Force had this much in them but awesome result.
Redsfan1
Guest
NZ has 3 teams in the top 7? Ah a pity that that only the top 6 play in the finals...and Australia has 3 in the top 6.
Michael
Guest
They play the Bulls at home after the Rebels match though. So that's going to be a cracker.
Common Sense
Guest
My theory is the Aussie teams are better at the start of the season because other than the internationals they haven't had anything to do since august last year, they've had nothing but pre season training and team bonding for over 5 months. The South African and New Zealand teams have had their provincial competitions to play for the remainder of the year. Once Australia has their NRC up and running I think we'll see the three conferences evening out at the start of the campaign.
Paul
Guest
only if they can pass it to their team mates
Well, the Reds and Waratahs has had a poor last few weeks. Will be interesting to see what they do from here. Force in my view is the Cheetahs of 2014
Shows you how close the mid table is.
Paul
Guest
It seems BB that all nations go through a phase of poor form. NZ teams really struggled at the beginning of the season, SA team struggling atm during the mid way point of the season, now we can only wait, watch and enjoy the aussie teams slump heading into the business end of the season -which in fact has been the case of Oz teams over the years. The Tahs at the moment giving us an indication of whats to come.