The Western Force have finished their season – and possibly their existence as a club – on a high, knocking off the Waratahs by 29 points.
Final score
Force 40
Waratahs 11
Could this be the final time we see the Western Force play? Will the Waratahs end their woeful season on a high? Who wants it more!? There is so much on the line when the men from the West tackle a Waratahs outfit who can’t seem to buy a win. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog from 7:30pm AEST.
Please god, don’t say it’s true! The men from the West have stood up this season. They’re more than a good chance to finish second in the Australian conference, they have had increased crowd numbers this season, and most importantly, they’ve looked like they actually care about the game.
However, the incompetence of the ARU, and their amazing ability to sit on their heels and keep no one in the loop means no one is certain of the Force’s future beyond these next 80 minutes.
If you’re privy to the rapidly spinning rumour mill, then you’d not be alone in thinking that this likely will be the last game in their history, and for that reason alone, expect this game to be an absolute belter.
The Waratahs have been woeful this season. They haven’t beaten an overseas side, and only have four wins from 15 starts. They look directionless, lazy and ready for the season to be finished.
Reports have emerged this week that some of the players have lost faith in their embattled coach, Daryl Gibson – but outgoing veteran Dean Mumm assures us that: “that couldn’t be further from the truth.”
So the real question is, which Waratahs side will turn upon Perth tonight? Will it be the expansive, fast and up tempo side full of Wallabies that won the tournament a mere three years ago? Or will it be the listless, slow and generally lacklustre outfit that have failed to impress throughout this year?
If it’s the former, they will win this game. I still think on paper the Tahs have a better side, but don’t tell that to the Force. Gordon and Foley’s partnership is maturing, and Hooper is courageous every week.
It may click tonight, mainly because it can’t get any worse. They will definitely be out to spoil the Force’s party.
For the men from Perth – It’s likely their final ever game. Matt Hodgson returns to captain his side, and that will be a huge boost for them.
Richard Hardwick is more than a handy replacement off the bench. Their centres and outside backs have been their best this season, along with Hardwick and Ross Haylett-Petty.
Meakes and Curtis Rona will look to expose some of the holes that continue to open up in the Waratahs midfield. They have useful finishers outside them in Dane Haylett-Petty and Marcel Brache.
Prediction
Likely last game ever for the Force. It will be fast, there will be niggle, there will be points.
The Waratahs will spoil their party though, on the back of a Foley masterclass.
Waratahs by 7
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 7:30pm AEST.
ajg
Guest
i went to one game at the beginning of the season and the players just didnt look like they were up for it. didnt bother going again
Crazy Horse
Roar Pro
There were a lot sheltering under the Eastern Stand watching on the CCTV and the Shed had many more fans in it than normal, all trying to keep out of the rain.
piru
Roar Rookie
I believe there's an option in the contract for WARugby to buy back the IP - I suspect this is part of the legal headache
In brief
Guest
when developing effective policy you need to consider the purpose of your decision, and the outputs you are seeking. Outputs for rugby would be increased participation, performance and revenue growth. Only when you have understood these metrics do you consider cost. Unfortunately the ARU has done it the other way around, hence all the pain. We saw the same thing occur in NSW with the poorly thought out greyhound ban. Poor policy, poor strategic planning - poor outcomes.
sittingbison
Guest
Nah, polluting the other articles. ARU paid schill doesn't dare show face in this thread Utter embarassment for the ARU and their apologists
Machooka
Roar Guru
'aurvive' I like Hannes ;)
EnoughisEnough
Guest
Hooper tries hard, no doubt about it. But NSW was absolutely dominated at the ruck and in the scrums. Just as the Wallabies get monstered at the ruck. And where is Hooper? Tossing his hair somewhere out in the backs somewhere, or getting swatted out of the way when he does enter a ruck. Hodgson owned him tonight.
wally
Guest
Last 10-12 minutes in game there was a bit of push and shove after a scrum collapsed twice (I could be wrong). Hodgo said it and then walked back towards his teammates with his chest puffed out and they were all back slapping him. It was quite funny to watch!
ForceFan
Guest
It was clearly a reference to the differences in player renumeration due to the Wallaby top-ups. Wallaby top-up to the Tahs about $2.5 Million/yr versus <$0.3 Million to the Force. Could just have easily been a refence to the the 10 Wallabies in the Waratahs team. It was a sweet win but the black cloud of the poor handling of the team cull still hung over the celebrations. A lot of very mixed emotions from players and partners who have no idea what the future holds. At the ARU EGM Clyne et al could/would provide no details about the evaluation criteria for selecting the team to go. All talk about the meeting was only about the $$s. A process without any level of transparency. Nor has the rugby public been told that the vote was 8:6 to cut to 4 teams with VicRU voting for 5 and Cox voting for 4. The current ARU Board does not deserve to survive their poor handllng of this debacle.
reggie
Guest
no flash but as tough as nails. a true servant. will miss you Hodgo!
ScottD
Guest
The fixture time was changed. The Rosr had the original one
ScottD
Guest
Hooper is one of the few. Tahs that can hold their head up
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
I heard that sledge too. Anyone know what it was in reference to? Was it player topups?
bigbaz
Roar Guru
Sydney is of course a suburb of Gosford and Hornsby play in the CCoast comp
mzilikazi
Guest
And they also developed Pocock post school rugby in Brisbane.....wish he had stayed with the Force !! He only started to get injured when he went to cold and bleak Canberra !!
sittingbison
Guest
They perform well on the training paddock
sittingbison
Guest
Nah mate on that performance 12 ;)
sittingbison
Guest
Back under your bridge
sittingbison
Guest
Coleman comes from Tassie Getting tired of these types of comments. Get over being Sydney Uni/Randwick centric the game is meant to be NATIONAL FFS
Schuey
Guest
Sick of the horrortahs. Its obscene chieka lets so many near his wallabies team.