Western Force
31
Match Complete
NSW Waratahs
30
| D. Miotti |  | 84 | ||
| D. Miotti |  | 73 | ||
| J. Olowofela |  | 71 | ||
| 69 | | B. Donaldson | ||
| 67 | | B. Donaldson | ||
| D. Miotti | | 50 | ||
| 48 | | B. Donaldson | ||
| 46 | | A. Newsome | ||
| 43 | | B. Donaldson | ||
| 42 | | J. Maddocks | ||
| D. Miotti |  | 34 | ||
| F. Kaitu'u | | 24 | ||
| 22 | | B. Donaldson | ||
| 16 | | B. Donaldson | ||
| 15 | | W. Harris | ||
| D. Miotti | | 7 | ||
| D. Miotti | | 3 | ||
| T. Robertson | | 2 |
| 3 | Tries | 3 | ||
| 2 | Conversions | 3 | ||
| 3 | Penalty Goals | 3 | ||
| 1 | Field Goals | 0 |
The Force host the Waratahs Saturday evening at HBF Park, Perth. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 7:45 pm (AEST).
Against the odds, the Force beat the Rebels last week by one point. This was their second win of the season. They defeated the Waratahs by four points last month. The Waratahs will be confident today because of their last good performance a fortnight ago against the Brumbies. They lost by a mere two points.
The Force showed significant potential this season, with the only blemish being a 28 points loss against the Brumbies. However, their main challenge is to score points, having breached 20 points only once.
The Waratahs are at a crossroads, having lost their coach mid-season. However, the result has been positive, almost winning against the Canberrans in the first match without Rob Penney. As such, it is unclear what they will deliver this week.
Losing Will Harrison at flyhalf this week would normally be a major disruptor for New South Wales. His replacement is one his best friends, Ben Donaldson, who played with Harrison since they were young boys. Donaldson does not have Harrison’s zip but is a good triple-threat playmaker who also can play strong and square. This is something missing from the Waratahs, especially the forwards.
The Force welcome Gregs Holmes and Tim Anstee back in the starting pack. But their attack is still unsettled and their midfield defence needs improvement. But it probably would not matter so much today, considering their opponents’ lack of development in attack.
The scrumhalf tussle between Tomas Cubelli and Jake Gordon will be interesting. You should observe the way these older hands try to maneuver their teammates’ behaviour and squeeze higher performance. Lachie Swinton is also back. Whilst his opposite number is Anstee, Swinston’s natural opponent is Bernard Stander.
Prediction
Expect some fireworks. Amy Perrett, who is a welcomed addition as a regular referee, will manage two teams who will play it tough and rough. The bookies and The Roar tipsters are tipping a Force win, which is hard to argue against. I really do not have a prediction considering the unpredictable nature of the Waratahs. I think it will be close, assuming the Waratahs pack does not capitulate.
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 7:45 pm (AEST).
Game information
Kick-off: 7:45pm (AEST)
Venue: HBF Park, Perth
Live stream: Nine, Stan Sport
Betting: Force $1.36, Waratahs $3.15 (odds via PlayUp)
Teams
Force
1 Tom Robertson, 2 Feleti Kaitu’u, 3 Santiago Medrano, 4 Jeremy Thrush, 5 Sitaleki Timani, 6 Tim Anstee, 7 Kane Koteka, 8 Brynard Stander, 9 Tomas Cubelli, 10 Domingo Miotti, 11 Jordan Olowofela, 12 Kyle Godwin (c), 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 14 Richard Kahui, 15 Jack McGregor
Reserves: 16 Andrew Ready, 17 Angus Wagner, 18 Greg Holmes, 19 Ryan McCauley, 20 Fergus Lee-Warner, 21 Ian Prior, 22 Grason Makara, 23 Jake Strachan
Waratahs
1 Angus Bell, 2 Dave Porecki, 3 Harry Johnson-Holmes, 4 Hugh Sinclair, 5 Max Douglas, 6 Lachlan Swinton, 7 Carlo Tizzano, 8 Will Harris, 9 Jake Gordon (c), 10 Ben Donaldson, 11 James Ramm, 12 Lalakai Foketi, 13 Izaia Perese, 14 Alex Newsome, 15 Jack Maddocks
Reserves: 16 Tom Horton, 17 Te Tera Faulkner, 18 Darcy Breen, 19 Sam Caird, 20 Jeremy Williams, 21 Charlie Gamble, 22 Jack Grant, 23 Tane Edmed
ThugbyFan
Roar Guru
Damn, I won't even put that in my car, why would I put it in myself unless I want to fart the huge flames trick. :silly:
Double Agent
Guest
I thought you meant E10!!
AndyS
Guest
Seems TJ might be looking for something to do too, if you were interested... ????
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
It won’t be me piru. But while you’re there.....?
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Agreed JD.
piru
Roar Rookie
Yeah I don't know how long you'd survive carrying that around Highgate
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
A banner at Subiaco - Bring back Quade ?
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
At the moment beady eyes. They were once the best team in Australia. It’s a blimp in time.
ScottD
Roar Guru
You did have us Jez, but we escaped. Tahs are a better team than people thought and I reckon the results this year have pretty much been what people predicted. Tahs will be a handful next year for any team and I reckon the Rebels will be nervous next week.
ScottD
Roar Guru
Totally agree
ThugbyFan
Roar Guru
Ethanol = the alcohol that we all drink. :silly:
ScottD
Roar Guru
I actually think we'd like to have Donaldson.
Beedy Eyes
Guest
If what you say is true and has any susbstance why did they lose again ?. Tahs are 0-7 and now the worst team in the history of Super Rugby in Australia.
jeznez
Roar Guru
I think Perese has been huge there but I'm also a big believer in Walton. My understanding on Donaldson is that his preferred position is 10 but that he and Harrison are mates that have played in the same teams from their young days. They've managed that with Ben at FB and Will at 10. Meanwhile there is still Edmed who looks incredible given his performances at an even younger age. He does strike me as a guy that might settle at 12 so think there is room for them all but competition may be fierce!
Bourkos
Roar Rookie
You don't think Perese will stick at 13? He was immense and was doing the hard yard up the guts plus his defence looked as good as Tizzanos. Is fullback Donaldson preferred position? I could see him at the force at 10 if he doesn't get a permanent gig for you guys
ScottD
Roar Guru
Yes, seriously. He smashes people, but he doesn’t play smart and he doesn’t influence the outcomes. He proved last year that he can be a lot more than he exhibited and frankly didn’t do jack on Saturday night. Given the hype, he was underwhelming.
Double Agent
Guest
It's certainly a big step up from Moerea and Newsome.
Canberrafella
Roar Rookie
Not necessarily on the Waratahs ‘assured doughnut’ - the Rebels are very beatable and seem ripe for the picking!
jeznez
Roar Guru
Penney had him for a quarter of the first match. Then was suspended for three. Played round 5 and then Penney got flicked. So had him for 1.5 out of 5 matches. That round 5 match was Foketi‘s return as well. Having those two has been huge for the team.
piru
Roar Rookie
I mean if they'd allowed Thrush's try we would've been ahead anyway, or maybe not, you just can't say.