The Western Force travel to NSW to face the Waratahs for their first match of the 2015 Super Rugby season. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 4:05pm (AEDT).
The Force and Waratahs run out for their first game of the season both off the back of their most successful Super Rugby seasons in 2014.
The Waratahs maiden title is more impressive than the Force’s nine wins, however both teams will have a point to prove in this fixture.
In the first match up last year the Waratahs handed the Force a resounding lesson in all aspects of the game and the ultimately slow start to the season may have ultimately cost the Force the dream first finals appearance.
The return fixture in Perth saw a marked change in fortunes. The talismanic Honey Badger scored a triple to create a blue print for beating the ‘Tahs (namely have someone score a hat-trick) which was not emulated again as the Waratahs went on to beat the Crusaders in the final.
There is much of interest to look for with both teams in this match. The Waratahs most notable change is the loss of Kane Douglas. Although there are some able replacements and permutations, Douglas was instrumental in partnering the inexperienced set piece of Will Skelton to maintain a strong platform in this area.
Otherwise of great interest will be what the reigning champions can do to refresh their game. If you aren’t moving forward then you are going backwards and there is no doubt that opposition coaches would have analysed, analysed and analysed again as the benchmark of 2014.
The Force on the other hand have had a few more important outs. Kieren Longbottom was a huge loss however Fawlkner may continue his quick rise to the starting team and beyond. Jayden Haywood, although injured towards the end of 2014, will also be missed as the Force try to get some rhythm to utilise the hard work often done by their solid pack.
Matt Hodgson and Nic Cummins coming in late will also not assist in a quick start to the season. For the faithful, there is hope due to the strong team mentality of the entire squad that Foley has developed. Stability of leadership is driving a better culture and this was obvious in their better 2014.
For me, and it pains me to say it (tip with your head, not your heart!) the Waratahs will be too strong at home and I expect to win reasonably comfortably after a close first 60. Let’s see which way the ball bounces!
A big question early in the season will always regard the referee. Steve Walsh, in my opinion, is a good referee for this game and hopefully the flow will allow the best team to take control.
Can Foley step up from his spring tour form? Will Kurtley Beale find the balance with Foley that he did in the latter half of the season or overplay his hand as sometimes he did? Will Rob Horne take his chance towards World Cup glory? Will Skelton fulfil some of the potential and live up to the hype?
Join me on The Roar from 4.05pm AEDT for the live blog, I look forward to starting the 2015 Super Rugby season with a roar!
Perthstayer
Roar Rookie
I'm 4 days behind on this thread but can't help myself: Bluey, both teams came to the table with a plan. The Force made the Tahs play badly by executing their plans better. The majority of poor decisions by Tahs players were effected by scoreboard pressure. The Force did nothing they haven't done before. If Cheika hadn't seen that coming then he mucked up. I get the feeling people feel the Tahs would have lost to anyone and I don't believe that's the case.
RobC
Roar Guru
Watched the replay of the bits I saw last night: – Skelton scrum looked good. Looks like he was managing his performance to last 80′. I suspect he will do much better as his conditiion improved. – Coleman. Played pretty well. Solid jumps, killer tackles. Won collisions. But had his hips hammered by Tafs fronton dive tackle in one carry. He had to go off after that, he looked really hurt.
RobC
Roar Guru
Watched the replay of the bits I saw last night: - Skelton scum looked good. Looks like he was managing his performance to last 80'. I suspect he will do much better as his conditiion improved. - Coleman. Played pretty well. Solid jumps, killer tackles. Won collisions. But had his hips hammered by Tafs fronton dive tackle in one carry. He had to go off after that, he looked really hurt.
ilikedahoodoogurusingha
Guest
In which case I withdraw my previous comment re Hooper and the bonus point!!
Firstxv
Guest
Hooper MOTM...really? First time I've heard a player get that from a hiding, or is that the tahs MOTM only?
RobC
Roar Guru
too funny: http://www.greenandgoldrugby.com/day-life-man-two-brains/
Magic Sponge
Guest
if you cant see Skelton in the 4 jersey for the wallabies . A certainty
Harry Jones
Expert
Parachute Pocock into the 7 jersey
Harry Jones
Expert
Is 2015 the year When Super Rugby Starts to enjoy Extreme parity?
El Gamba
Roar Guru
MOM was very strange.
Daws
Guest
Holy MOLY. GO FORCE.
Demak
Guest
Impossible to rate Hooper higher than McCalman on today's effort........huge mental effort by force today, sadly for Oz rugby that was a typical Waratah effort of old, all the talent but no heart
Lostintokyo
Guest
When Beale was playing at Joeys he could chip or grubber and 90% of the time regain with interest. Over the last few years in Super or Wallabies he would have an over 90% "hand the ball to the opposition" or destroy momentum stat with his short kicking game. It amazes me he does not wise up or the coach tell him to keep his little kicks in his handbag. He can continue the long kicks but he should bench his short kicking game or be benched.
El Gamba
Roar Guru
Damn, stuffed the prediction up DC ;)
El Gamba
Roar Guru
Except RG was there in 2013 as well... You're right though, if I was planning I'd be doing the same thing for the Reds as Brusbane City. Lots of work to do in that area. In a shirt time frame!
RobC
Roar Guru
NRC final. May repeat this year. Alas no Phil Kite. But we got Pett and Talakai But we got Kerevi. Finally the Fijian twins shall meet!
RobC
Roar Guru
As I mentioned somewhere before. It will be half a season+ before Reds start to click. 2014/15 a pretty major transformation. In any case Cheika and White took a season. I expect we'll see visible improvements from week to week. If not, then the coach needs to have a really close look at his own situation: - Its good to see he's got a defence coach, I think he'll do well. - He's got a good set piece coach. Attack is Reds break/butter. - Its not clear that any of them understands how to exploit rucks at top-tier like Foley Cheika Fisher - Perhaps similar to M Foley in midfield.
El Gamba
Roar Guru
Ha ha, I enjoyed the corresponding fixture last year, you could see me, the lone Force supporter at Suncorp (almost) arms raised behind the posts as the drop goal went over! Just hope its a good game, not like the NRC final!
RobC
Roar Guru
Good luck mate NOT! LOL
El Gamba
Roar Guru
Jeez I hope not, it wins the game but average to watch! A lot of work for the Force to do on set piece, especially scrum if they want to avoid it though!!