The Force will be facing a tough challenge in the Highlanders under the pressure cooker roof of Forsyth Barr. Last week’s heavy loss will have the Force wanting to restore some pride, while the Highlander’s will be aiming to dismantle another Australian team.
THE FORM
The form guide on this one does suggest the possibility of an upset with the Force being a past bogey team for the Highlanders at home.
The positives for the Force are the Highlanders haven’t beaten them in New Zealand in nearly a decade! They have won four of their five trips to Highlanders territory with their last away loss against them coming in Round 9, 2006. The Highlanders haven’t hosted and beaten an Australian side by more than a converted try since Round 6, 2012 which gives some hope to the Force if they can stay in the game and keep building pressure.
This is the type of defence the Force need to show
Working against the Force is there atrocious defensive record missing 1 in 4 tackles against the Chiefs, and conceding 125 points in their last three games, two of which have been against New Zealand opposition (in which 94 of those points were conceded).
On the other side of the history book it’s ominous for the Force. The Highlanders have won their last seven matches at home and have outscored their opponents by 49 points in the opening half of matches this season (78-29), the most of any team in the competition while the Force have been outscored by 18 points in the same period.
KEY MATCH UPS
Forwards: The Highlanders have made five changes to the starting forward pack for this game which may provide the Force forwards the opportunity to exert some pressure up front. The set piece will be a critical factor in the game for the Force, and they should be able to dominate the set piece and utilise it as a platform to launch.
Halfbacks: This will be a battle worth watching as old foes meet again. Given the chance, the off the ball banter and niggle could be an entertaining aside.
Hodgson v Pryor: It will be interesting to see the old wiley dog go up against the young buck Pryor who has been in decent form of late. Slowing the service by limiting the quick ball to the Highlanders backs will be an absolute priority for the Force, so I expect to see Hodgson’s head-down in most of the breakdowns. Highlanders have also been keen to attack at the breakdown so it could be an interesting contest.
The backlines: This is more of a one dimensional match up. On the Highlanders side it’s watching the likes of Smith and Fekitoa in full flight against how well the Force backs can defend and contain any breaks.
WHY SHOULD I BOTHER?
Apart from offering a free set of steak knives it’s fortunate that it’s the only Friday game!
This game is worth watching as there is that chance of an upset based on previous history. The Force surely have to bounce back to restore some pride, but realistically the game will be all about the Highlanders attack.
PREDICTION
As much as I would love to be predicting the first real upset of the year it’s not going to happen.
History says this game is usually close but the Force have lost their defence this year and it’s really hurting them. Coming off a series of hard games, they will be struggling to maintain the energy needed to compete and it just doesn’t add up to a happy ending (I am so tempting fate!).
The Highlanders defence has improved this season so the Force will struggle to get on the board, but I think will get across the line for at least one try.
Highlanders by 15
MATCH DETAILS:
Highlanders
1. Brendon Edmonds , 2. Liam Coltman , 3. Siosiua Halanukonuka , 4. Alex Ainley , 5. Tom Franklin , 6. Elliot Dixon , 7. Dan Pryor , 8. Liam Squire , 9. Aaron Smith , 10. Lima Sopoaga , 11. Pat Osborne , 12. Rob Thompson , 13. Malakai Fekitoa , 14. Matt Faddes , 15. Ben Smith (cc)
Replacements : 16. Ash Dixon , 17. Daniel Lienert-Brown , 18. Josh Hohneck , 19. Joe Wheeler , 20. Shane Christie (cc) , 21. Fumiaki Tanaka , 22. Hayden Parker , 23. Jason Emery
Western Force
1. Pekahou Cowan , 2. Heath Tessmann , 3. Tetera Faulkner , 4. Ross Haylett-Petty , 5. Adam Coleman , 6. Angus Cottrell , 7. Matt Hodgson (C) , 8. Ben McCalman , 9. Alby Mathewson , 10. Peter Grant , 11. Semisi Masirewa , 12. Solomoni (Junior) Rasolea , 13. Ben Tapuai , 14. Luke Morahan , 15. Dane Haylett-Petty
Replacements : 16. Nathan Charles , 17. Chris Heiberg , 18. Jermaine Ainsley , 19. Sitiveni (Steve) Mafi , 20. Richard Hardwick (debut) , 21. Ryan Louwrens , 22. Ian Prior , 23. Albert Nikoro
Match: Highlanders v Force @ Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
Date: Friday 1 April 2016
Kick-Off: 19:35 local
Referee: Brendon Pickerill
AR1: Nick Briant
AR2: Paul Williams
TMO: Chris Wratt
Stats by Opta Sports
