The Western Force are out to continue making history in Perth on Saturday night but in their way are the NSW Waratahs coming back from a tremendous win over the Stormers and welcoming back Israel Folau.
The Force have now won four games on the trot for the first time in club history with impressive showings against the Melbourne Rebels, Chiefs, Highlanders and Queensland after starting 2014 with losses to the Waratahs and Brumbies.
A win at nib Stadium will see the Force win five straight for the first time and it would also be the first-ever home win over the Waratahs.
However, standing in their way is a Waratahs unit that is one of the competition favourites and deservedly so having won four of six games, including most impressively 22-11 last week over the Stormers in Cape Town.
The Tahs welcome back star fullback Folau after a two-week absence, but Force coach Michael Foley is looking forward to his side taking on another big challenge.
“It was only when we had won three that I realised the club had never won four, but we didn’t talk about that during the week because we were focusing on the Reds,” Foley said.
“We had only ever beaten them once and that was last year, so it was nice to back that up with another win and now I didn’t realise that we have never beaten the Waratahs in Perth.
“I try to ignore those things, but it would be fantastic to do it. The guys are primed and ready to play one of the best teams in the comp.
“We have to play very well to win.”
It hasn’t been all smooth sailing this week for the Waratahs with coach Michael Cheika to face a judicial hearing next Wednesday after a run-in with a television cameraman in Cape Town.
However, Foley doesn’t expect anything to distract the Waratahs from their job at hand and after being on the receiving end of a 43-21 defeat in the opening game of the season to them in Sydney with Folau scoring three tries, he knows just how much of a threat they present.
“The biggest issue for us having him score so many tries was we just gave him too much space when he had the ball,” he said.
“We just have to make sure that if we kick, our kick chase is very good and our defensive line is solid.
“Some of our defensive system wasn’t good, but it was our first game and they caught us a little bit by surprise.
“As disappointed as we were, we didn’t get carried away with the emotions of it. We just tried to get it right and over the next couple of weeks after it we did.”
Jono
Guest
are you Cheika in disguise?
Daws
Guest
Humble pie MS...humble pie...
Chris
Guest
Hahahahahahaha
Kane
Roar Guru
I'd be worried if they didn't aim to stop the Force's winning run?
Daws
Guest
Thats a good attitude to have, blinky bill. I look forward to an enthralling contest. One thing that could factor in is the weather. Currently it's 33 degrees and, judging from last night, that won't have decreased by a lot when the game starts at 5.40
johnson
Guest
This is off topic, but I often watch replays of the games on youtube because I work nights. The games don't seem to be coming up. is there any where else to watch super rugby replays online? or anybody on youtube that's putting them up. Thanks!!!!!!!
Stevo
Guest
This is an Outrageous interference from the ARU. They really are clueless sometimes!
Tane Mahuta
Guest
A bit of cotton wool being used imo. The guy means soooooooo much to the ARU. He is the ARUs SBW, a great player that everybody is interested in.
Magic Sponge
Guest
No chance
sixo_clock
Roar Guru
Looking forward to 'more of the same' from the Force (and earlier the Rebs). C'mon boys, take it up to them, out-commit, out-think, out-work 'em. No pressure
Drilla
Guest
May the Force be with you!!
Blinky Bill of Bellingen NSW
Guest
Forget about why the ARU does this or that. It's a distraction we don't need right now. :( IMHO it's now time for Dave Dennis and other senior players to get the team together and use this as motivation to prove that we don't rely on any single player. :) In the end this could turn out to be a God's send for us. ;) Come on the Tahs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
p.Tah
Guest
The ARU rules Folau out despite the Tahs medical staff giving him the OK. Just another sign the ARU favours the Waratahs over all the other franchises... Oh hang on a minute this doesn't fit with the perpetual whinge of other fans.
Whipster
Guest
Folau is out!...again!.