You’d have to be a true believer to stay up for this one although it could be a feast of running rugby the way both teams are playing the game.
With defence seemingly not a high priority for the Lions a bonus point win for the Force would be the icing on the cake. If this game was played in say, Round 4 you’d be struggling to pick a winner. What a difference having a few quality players back makes.
The Force have shown true grit to come back from the dead and win against the Highlanders, Stormers and last week’s stunning effort over the Crusaders.
However, let’s not get too far ahead as the Lions showed last week against the Bulls that they can be tenacious when they want to.
It wasn’t until around the 60 minute mark that the Lions were overcome so any complacency could be fatal if you weren’t concentrating on the main game.
Coach Mitchell is continuing his rotation policy with now Sam Wykes having his turn in the 2nd row for Ben McCalman.
A forced change is Tucky Dunning, playing his 99th Super rugby match, back at tighthead for an injured Fairbrother. Both Fairbrother and ‘Rabbit’ O’Connor are touring and should be back next week.
‘Spanner’ Staniforth is another who’s back on deck and returns to the right wing with Cummins on the left and Cam Shepherd getting his first run at fullback.
This is probably his best position and they must be confident that’s he’s finally overcome all his injuries and able to do a bit of kicking.
Unfortunately for the Lions they’re in some disarray with five enforced changes from last week’s side and Carlos Spencer struggling at fullback with a dodgy hammy.
Ross Geldenhuys returns from injury to take Gert Muller’s place in the front row after Muller was ruled out with a rib cartilage injury. Hooker Hans van Dyk is also unavailable after he tore a calf muscle while midfielder Marius Delport is out with a hamstring strain.
Lock Franco van der Merwe hasn’t recovered from a back injury in time and will be replaced by George Earle.
Deon van Rensburg takes Delport’s place in the midfield, while the Lions will make a late decision on the availability of hooker Charles Emslie.
Winger Wandile Mjekevu has been released to train with the Springbok Sevens and is replaced by Tonderai Chavhanga.
This match is being played at Ellis Park, a huge stadium which hosted the Rugby World Cup Final in 1995 (see Convictus Invictus) which is now called Fizzy Drink, Lolly Water or some such park.
There’ll be plenty of empty seats that’s for sure as the pulling power of the Force is limited over there (maybe they’ve all gone to Perthfontein), the Lions have been in the doldrums for years and 11 v 14 on the ladder probably doesn’t help.
The Force record against the Lions is 2 wins, 1 draw and a loss. They took them apart last year 55-14 at home.
The Lions can become joint holders of a very unflattering record if they lose Saturday’s match.
A defeat will see them equal the record of 11 consecutive defeats in a Super Rugby campaign. The Bulls are the current holders (in the Super 12 in 2002).
They don’t have too many game breakers in their side – Carlos is past it – but watch their captain Baywatch Grobbelaar who’s probably been their best player all year and like Pamela Anderson, is fairly upfront…..
Lance says: Force by 17.
Saturday, 1 May 2010 at Coca-Cola Park, Johannesburg – Kick-off: 5.05pm (SAST) / 11.05pm (AWST)
Western Force
1.Pek Cowan 2.Ben Whittaker 3.Matt Dunning 4.Sam Wykes 5.Nathan Sharpe (c) 6.Matt Hodgson 7.David Pocock 8.Richard Brown 9.Brett Sheehan 10.David Hill 11.Nick Cummins 12.Ryan Cross 13.Mitch Inman 14.Scott Staniforth 15.Cameron Shepherd.
Reserves: 16.Nathan Charles 17.Kieran Longbottom 18. Tom Hockings 19.Ben McCalman 20.Justin Turner 21.Sam Harris 22.Mark Bartholomeusz
Transvaal, Gauteng, Golden Cats, Cats Golden Lions
Carlos Spencer; Michael Killian, Deon van Rensburg, Walter Venter, Tonderai Chavhanga; Herkie Kruger, Jano Vermaak; Derick Minnie, Wikus van Heerden, Cobus Grobbelaar (Capt), George Earle, Nico Luus, Ross Geldenhuys, Charles Emslie/Hannes Franklin, JC Janse van Rensburg.
Reserves: Hannes Franklin, Heinke van der Merwe, Jacques Lombaard, Justin Wheeler, Jacques Coetzee, Jaco Taute, Bernardo Botha.
Referee: Craig Joubert (RSA)
