Round 1 2017 Waratahs v Force

[Sully]

This thread is for discussing this match only

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[Sully]

Date: Saturday 25 February
Time: 19:45 local
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Sydney

 

[KOB1987]

Tahs by 16

 

[Forcefield]

Tahs by 30.

 

[Micheal]

Tahs by 2.

I don't know how the Force will structure their 23 but I do that I really rate Lance, DHP, Morahan, Meakes, Peni, Rona, Ruru, TPN, RHP, Cowan, Hodgson, McCalman and A. Coleman as more than capable Super Rugby players.

Newsome, Burton, R. Coleman, Masirewa, Louwrens, Faulkner, Arnold, Naisarani, Scoble, Daley are all also solid or up-and-coming players.

I certainly wouldn't write the Force off - certainly more so if they can keep their squad uninjured. They've always played with passion and been the Tahs bogey team.

 

[NTT]

Wow Forcefield, just wow.

Force by 7pts. A lot of optimism and good vibes coming out of the west with the rebuild. Force will lift for the Tahs as they always do, expect the breakdown to be ferocious and critical to the Force sneaking home.

 

[Froggy]

Tahs by 5
If they defend like they did in the first half against the Clan, Force by 10!

 

[Twoilms]

Dependent on how the younger Tahs players fare, the Force tight-five should really put pressure on the Tahs. Taf is still the best Aussie hooker around. Coleman the best Aussie second-rower. Can't decide either way, to be decided by a penalty.

 

[Lindommer]

22 all with 15 to go. 35-22 when the Tahs benchies come on, they've looked darned good in the two trials so far.

 

[dru]

22 all with 15 to go. 35-22 when the Tahs benchies come one, they've looked darned good in the two trials so far.

I'd love to disagree, but suspect you are close.

 

[Moono75]

The Force have plenty of reason to be optimistic heading into this game.

We have shown faith in a young coach but added the right mix of experienced heads around him for support. We've bought it some good young talent (Meakes, Rona, Peni, Newsome, Naisarani) to supplement the top talent we have. We haven't stood still and hoped things would improve automatically.

It may take a few games to gel together, but I think an improved centre combination and more attacking weapons in the back line could really open things up for us.

Quietly confident
(insert evil laugh)

 

[gowaratahs]

Waratahs team: Tom Robertson, Tolu Latu, Sekope Kepu, Dean Mumm, Will Skelton, Jack Dempsey, Michael Hooper, Michael Wells, Nick Phipps, Bernard Foley, Rob Horne, Irae Simone, Israel Folau, Reece Robinson, Andrew Kellaway.

Reserves (one to be omitted): Hugh Roach, Paddy Ryan, David Lolohea, Ned Hanigan, Brad Wilkin, Matt Lucas, Bryce Hegarty, Taqele Naiyaravoro, David Horwitz.

 

[Micheal]

It appears Foley is under a concussion cloud and if he's fit I assume Horwitz will drop off the bench.

If he's out Hegarty to 10 and Horwitz to 23.

I'm glad to see Wells starting. I still have my reservations re Kellaway at 15 but I'm hopefully he'll prove me wrong.

Tahs by 2 in a hopefully exciting high scoring encounter.

 

[Brumby Runner]

"Those matches will be televised live on Fox Sports as the lead in to the Waratahs v Force Super Rugby game".

Won't that mean a clash with the Crusaders/Brumbies game?

 

[ChargerWA]

So is Jed Holloway still injured/injured again?

As to the score, who freakin knows. Force are still under gunned in the backs. The new boys look good, but it'd be foolhardy to expect them to fire first round. They'll take a little while to find themselves at Super level.

I'd be happy if we were in a position to win it when the hooter goes.

 

[Forcefield]

I feel like we might get slammed in the scrums, the line-outs will be a pig's breakfast for both sides and the breakdown will be an absolute scrap. If the Tahs win the scrums and the breakdown, they win by a lot. If the Tahs win the scrums and the Force handle the breakdown better, it could go either way.

 

[Hawko]

I feel like we might get slammed in the scrums, the line-outs will be a pig's breakfast for both sides and the breakdown will be an absolute scrap. If the Tahs win the scrums and the breakdown, they win by a lot. If the Tahs win the scrums and the Force handle the breakdown better, it could go either way.

You've got the best scrummaging hooker in Australia now and Cowan is no slouch. Coleman will be your TH lock so that side too should be fine. You won't suffer at the scrum, your vulnerabilities are elsewhere.

 

[Lindommer]

Jed Holloway is injured again.

Did his hamstring a coupla weeks ago in training. Should be ready to play at least one match on the Tahs African tour.

 

[Scrubber2050]

For the Force to win they need to belt the Tahs at the breakdown and scrumtime. TPN will be very motivated and fired up to do that, particularly during the scrum contest.

Mark Folau closely, put him under pressure and give him no room to weave his potential magic.

Force don't need to be fancy, they need to outmuscle the Tahs and win, ugly, if necessary

Force by 7

 

[Marcelo]

What is the crowd expected for the inaugural game? 20k? 25k?