The reigning Super Rugby champions, the Waratahs, travel to Perth to take on the Western Force hoping to build on last week’s gritty win over the Brumbies in Canberra. Join us here at 7:40pm (AEST) for live scores and commentary.
Following consecutive (and somewhat controversial) victories over fellow Aussie sides the Brumbies and the Rebels, the Waratahs have put themselves in control of the Australian conference, and given themselves a real chance of winning back-to-back championships.
But the Tahs can’t afford any slip ups and head to Perth to face a Force team who have become a bit of a bogey side for the boys from NSW.
In fact, the Force will be looking to make it three wins in a row against their more fancied opponents, having beaten the Tahs 28-16 in Perth last season, and 25-13 at the SFS in Round 1 this year.
The Tahs are (predictably) playing down their recent record, but the team coaches are clearly concerned.
Writing to Waratahs’ members during the week, assistant coach Daryl Gibson said, “It’s always difficult for us against the Force. I think they have found a formula against us that works well for them. The key for us is the amount of ball we turn over against the Force (it has really been a bit of an Achilles heel for us) and so a lot of our focus will go into making sure that we’re really secure in that area.”
They’ve Tahs are known for sticking to their running game-plan, but it has brought them unstuck against teams who defend well, who don’t commit numbers at the breakdown, and who can hit hard on the counter attack. It’s not only a formula favoured by the Force either – the Stomers played it to perfection when handing the Tahs a 32-18 flogging in Sydney earlier this season.
Meanwhile, it’s been another long season for the Force, and they sit forlornly in second-last place. But there is plenty for them to play for in this one, with the likes of Kyle Godwin, Ben McCalman, Matt Hodgson and Nick Cummins looking to impress watching Wallabies coach Michael Cheika.
And the Force probably don’t like the Waratahs (seems no-one in Aussie rugby does!) and would love nothing more than to put a dent in their season.
Prediction
The bookies have the Waratahs as heavy favourites and they’re usually right (there is, after all, a reason why they drive Mercedes and live in mansions), but I suspect this will be a lot closer than many predict, and the Force will be in the game for a long time.
But, having said that, the brutal hit-out against the Brumbies will have the Waratahs well and truly primed for this game, and they should do enough to win by 1-12.
Piru
Guest
Only problem being that Hodgson hadn't infringed at all, he was onside, got to his feet and no ruck had formed. Classic Richie syndrome, being so fast the ref assumes you cheated.
Sheikh
Guest
Nah, it's all OK
Zero Gain
Guest
No need for you to apologise, probably I should though!
Sheikh
Guest
Sorry. I could only see one side of the scrums (the east), but I thought Hoffman had a fairly good game. When he couldn't tell what happened he reset the scrum; hence his comment towards the end that he wasn't going to guess what had happened when the Tahs were claiming the Force had done something wrong - he didn't see what it was so called for a reset. I thought Hoffman had a pretty good game in general, and went up in my estimation (he's hardly been liked by the Force in the past), especially when Kepu got carded - the conversation between Hoffman and the TMO sounded like the TMO was trying to keep Kepu on the pitch while Hoffman kept asking for more replays to be shown on the screen (ie, his decision, not the TMO's). Hodgo's yellow was soft, but the accumulation of repeated minor infringements (Hoffman had warned the Force). Arguably the Tahs should have had another yellow for again repeated infringements (they'd also got a warning before the rolling maul try, which is why they couldn't defend it) but a warning isn't supposed to dissipate just because you've had a try scored against you; at the next infringement they should have seen another card and the match could have ended 14 vs 14!
Zero Gain
Guest
That is what I mean genius, the ref penalised the wrong team several times. I.e. The force.
Demak
Guest
Always the sme boring claptrap, how the Tahs were off their game how poorly they played how badly the ref was.....the Force are crap the Force are the worst team in the comp they playing boring rugby well all I can say is that MC had better prepare the Wallabies better than the Tahs for this style of opposition because come RWC that's exactly what will come our way. Well done Force don't have the glamour names but try hard each week sure lost 10 in a row but but I will continue to watch them as long as they play with the heart each week As for the ref I believe that all the refs take a punt at scrum time it's a confusing lottery that peeves me no end and yellow carding is now just as bad
Sheikh
Guest
Sorry mate, but your comment on the scrums is off as the Tahs front row were outclassed; Kepu vs Cowan was pretty even, but Ryan was shown up when Kepu was off; but Latu isn't ready for Super Rugby and Faulkner was destroying Robinson by the end. Hoffman may have been fooled on a couple of scrum penalties, but he generally got it right. Although it has to be said that Nib field has a terrible surface for rugby; the groundsman seems to set the pitch up for soccer (Perth Glory) as the surface moves a lot underfoot. Means you will always get scrum resets due to players not being able to keep their footing.
Zero Gain
Guest
This referee is hopeless, especially with scrums. Random penalties all night. I loved this game, always thought the Tahs would find a way to win it. Force were good and Hodgson magnificent. Hardly noticed Hooper until he limped off looking broken and bloodied, so he must have been in there trying. Cheika needs to lift his game. He isn't the Messiah we were told. He has the team, where is the strategy?
Cam Fay
Guest
Yes!
Mike
Guest
The Tahs were pretty bad, but the way you rubbish everyone in the team indicates that you are not a genuine Tahs supporter. But, nice try - for about the first line of your post, you were convincing. ;)
Jerry
Guest
Cause it was still long enough that it might not have gone dead/hit the upright and given the Tahs a chance to run it back and a converted try would have tied the game. And with the way Foley had run it back after the previous missed penalty, they didn't want to risk it. All it would have done is deny the Tahs a bonus point and the Force are out of the finals race so that's not really their issue. It's not their job to do the other teams a favour.
bill
Guest
Why didn't the Force kick for goal with the penalty on fulltime?
Handles
Roar Guru
Please go on Stu. I want to see how many other names you can butcher.
Handles
Roar Guru
I heard that Cheika tried to drop him this week by text message. But he lost his phone and didn't get it.
HiKa
Roar Rookie
NZ commentators for Saders v Reds were complimentary about Genia and pointed out that Saders insiders told them he was main threat they would be defending against, so he was well marked all night. They reckoned he was looking pretty good. My only criticism of Genia's play (aside from all the kicking, but look at what's going on outside him at the Reds and maybe it's excusable) is that he's not prepared to put his body on the line contesting for the ball at present. Given his injury last year and where the Reds are at, it's understandable, but disappointing nonetheless.
Squirrel
Roar Rookie
Uzzy and Hooper were terrible
HiKa
Roar Rookie
50% on those two must count as a pass mark, Diehard. Congratulations!
Utah
Guest
I always found Nathan Sharpe to be quite impartial. What happened there?
PaulR
Guest
Gold
Lano
Roar Guru
Not a Force fan or Foxtel commentary fan!