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The Western Force make a long-awaited return to rugby, hosting the Fiji Warriors for their World Series Rugby opener. Join The Roar for live scores and blog from 8:30pm (AEST).
Almost ten months after they last played, beating the Waratahs 40-11 in June, the Western Force are back and already making history.
It will be the first time that provincial rugby in Australia will be shown on free-to-air – live on Channel Seven in Perth – and a sellout means it will be the highest crowd in provincial rugby since Waratahs-Brumbies in 2016.
As for the game, it’s a familiar team list, with eight former Force players, many from development squads and other Super Rugby sides, while South Africa has a large input as well.
Fiji haven’t brought their Test team, rather it’s the Warriors, who are the equivalent to Fiji A, but many have international experience.
Some new initiatives will be introduced, such as a 60-second time limit for scrums, lineouts can now happen as soon as the throwing team are ready, and the Power Try is initiated.
The Power Try will be a seven-point play, with a potential conversion, and will be awarded for any try that begins inside the attacking team’s 22.
Plenty of youth will take the field for both sides, but the Force will lean heavily on players like Ian Prior and Peter Grant, who have close to 200 Super Rugby caps between them.
Prediction
Expect the Force to be too strong.
Force by 8.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.