Friendships will be put to the side on Saturday night as the Force travel to Sydney to take on the Waratahs, with reputations – and finals – at stake ahead of the Wallabies’ first training camp under Eddie Jones.
With both Australian franchises lingering toward the bottom of the Super Rugby standings, defeat could mean curtains for their aspirations of sneaking into the top eight.
Neither side is under any illusions of their season to date, with Wallabies prop Tom Robertson accurately describing their winless tour of New Zealand.
“It was obviously a bit of a disappointing trip over to New Zealand,” he said.
“Happy to obviously get that bonus point in the last game, but overall it was disappointing and we’re really looking to get back the momentum in the season against the Waratahs. It’s a great game against the old enemy and we’re really looking forward to checking out that new stadium.”
Tom Robertson says impressions can be forged ahead of next week’s Wallabies camp. Photo: Paul Kane/Getty Images
After going at one another for years at training, Robertson is set to pack down against Harry Johnson-Holmes on Saturday.
“We’re from the same club team in Shute Shield, so I’ve played against Harry for a few years now and it’s always a great rivalry,” Robertson said.
“He’s a great player and I’m sure he’s disappointed not to get picked in the [Wallabies] squad, so I’m sure he’ll be aiming to have a big game.”
Johnson-Holmes, who missed last year’s international season because of an Achilles injury, says he’s eager to get the better of his old friend.
“I like ‘Throba’, he’s a good man, but it’s always been good getting to go head-to-head with him,” he said.
“We did plenty of it here at the Tahs and it’s probably a lot easier when he’s in a different coloured jersey now. It’ll be good to get some nice little results against him.
Tom Robertson. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
The match-up will likely be pivotal in shaping the contest, but it will also be one that Jones will watch closely with both players capable of playing on either side of the scrum – a factor that will surely be considered for the World Cup.
Robertson, who burst onto the scene by scoring a double on debut for the Waratahs at the old Allianz Stadium, knows reputations can be forged on Saturday night, particularly ahead of joining the Wallabies on Sunday afternoon at Sanctuary Cove.
“You don’t want to leave it to the camp to be setting a good impression, we want to set a good impression on Saturday night, starting off with a win,” he said.
“I think the best way to put a good foot forward would be to win and start winning more games and that starts on Saturday night against the Tahs.”
Robertson was pleasantly surprised when he was informed of his selection in Jones’ squad following their loss to the Hurricanes earlier this month.
But he also knows there’s a big difference between a training squad and Test selection, having ridden the highs and lows of international rugby under two Wallabies coaches.
With injured duo Angus Bell and Taniela Tupou also on the road to recovery, there can be no room for complacency.
“It was great to be named in the first squad under Eddie. It was a great achievement but, in saying that, it’s only a squad and the first one of the year and so there’s still a lot of rugby left to play in the year,” he said.
“I know I’ve got to keep playing well to stay in the squad for the rest of the year. So hopefully the Force can get a few more wins, we can get a few more players back in that squad, and really looking forward to hearing what Eddie has to say next week.
“I spoke to him about a week before we got named. He obviously gave me a few things to work on.”
Harry Johnson-Holmes says the Waratahs can’t afford to switch off against the Force. (Photo: Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)
Having just fallen short in Canberra, the Waratahs recognise they will have to deliver an 80-plus minute performance to get across the line against a gutsy Force side.
While the Force have claimed just two wins, they’ve shown a willingness to stay in the fight. Indeed, there sole two victories this year have come with last-minute winners against the Rebels and Moana Pasifika.
“They’ve had games where they look like they’re gone for all money and come back with a late surge, and that’s probably testament to their low emotion footy,” Johnson-Holmes said.
“They’re 15 men looking to do a job and they don’t care whatever happens the minutes before, it’s the minutes after. So we’ve just got to stay on them and if we do end up with an early lead it’s knowing that they’re not going to go away.”
Test centre Lalakai Foketi said the Waratahs had to strike the right balance between playing on the edge and keeping their discipline in check.
“You’ve got boys itching to go out there and throw their body on the line. It’s rugby. But a big focus for us coming out of that first six rounds was our discipline. It’s how do we get that balance between letting our aggression out, but also being disciplined,” Foketi said.
“We’re hurting, but it’s a new week this week. We’ve gone away, we’ve freshened up and we’re excited for the road ahead.”
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