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Round 16 of the Super Rugby championship kicks off with a blockbuster as the Crusaders host the Western Force in a top four clash. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 5.30pm (AEST).
The Force’s victory over the Lions last week ensured that season 2014 would go down as the most successful in Force history. Now, the Perth based club has a great opportunity to ensure a finals birth with victory over the Crusaders today.
Michael Foley’s men however have never defeated the Crusaders in New Zealand and another tough afternoon looms for the Force against one of the true heavyweights of Super Rugby.
Ben McCalman’s absence today won’t help the Force upfront. Tonight’s contest should be very physical to say the least and the Force need their best players fit and firing against a strong Crusaders pack.
The return of Kieran Read from injury ensures that the Crusaders do possess an advantage upfront. It will certainly be interesting to see how the Force stand up away from home against the best team in the New Zealand conference.
Having won six of their past seven matches, the Crusaders start tonight’s contest as heavy favourites. The Force though have built their successful season on the back of their strong attitude in defence. Rest assured, the Crusaders will be made to work hard for a win tonight.
The Force’s attack however has struggled to click in recent weeks. They managed a bonus point win over the Lions last week but only managed to get the majority of their points when the Lions had a player sent to the sin-bin late in the first half.
Despite dominating possession and territory last week, the Force really struggled to break the Lions defensive line in the second half and there is little to suggest that they have enough points in them to trouble a tough Crusaders outfit.
Crusaders by 14