David Pocock and Richie McCaw both return to action this weekend in a mouthwatering loose forward encounter.
We’ve got Force Test players Poey, Richard Brown, Ben McCalman and bench man Matt Hodgson locking horns with No. 8 McCaw, George Whitelock (one Test) and Matt Todd, who is surely a Test player in waiting.
Not only that, the long awaited Rabbit O’Connor/Sonny Bill Williams encounter is upon us. Two players with completely different skill sets, styles and attributes, both creative in their own way. One has fast feet, the other brute force. One has a hairdo to die for, the other very long arms….
The intriguing thing about this match is that we’re actually in a position to canvas a potential Crusaders loss. Now, if this was four weeks ago we’d be laughed off the blog. How the hell would a depleted and workmanlike Force defeat the best province in the world?
The answer of course is they wouldn’t. But times have changed and the moonboot is now firmly on the other foot. Canterbury have had a reversal of fortune with injuries to Brad Thorn, Andy Ellis, Dan Carter and Sam Whitelock. Kieran Read has also been mysteriously resting of late. McCaw was out of action recently as well.
A loss to a fired-up Highlanders in their local derby last week was a surprise, notwithstanding that the Dunedinites were also in a depleted state. Things have got so bad that they’ve even called up retired AB captain Reuben Thorne from club coaching-land to fill the gap.
And there’s more: history suggests the Crusaders have a few issues when they come to Perth. We’ve seen them lose to the Force last year and draw (“we wuzz robbed” according to some) on an earlier occasion.
Now, we all know that the current Crusaders conundrum is but a temporary aberration, but why wouldn’t you make hay while the sun shines? The Force, in a situation where the planets align only on very rare occasions, are close to full strength — and doesn’t that make a change?
But let’s not get too excited, because if you run through the Crusaders’ named XXII you’ll find some very familiar names — like the aforementioned loosies, plus Flynn, Franks (x 2), Jack and a back division of near Test quality.
And I think that’s where the crunch will come. Man for man, the Crusaders’ backline looks far more penetrative than the Force’s.
The other thing is that you cannot underestimate their set piece and counter-rucking skills. The Crusaders scrum is the best in the competition and should provide a stern challenge to the competent Force eight. Wyatt Crockett is back in All Black calculations largely because of his scrum prowess. It’s a shame The Fox isn’t there to contest, but I assume he’s out of calculations due to his impending departure.
McCaw has been selected in the not unfamiliar position of No. 8, replacing Joe Wheeler, who has been bracketed on the bench with Thorne. In the front row, Corey Flynn and Ben Franks come in at hooker and prop for Quentin MacDonald and Owen Franks respectively. Luke Romano starts at lock alongside Chris Jack.
In the backs, Sonny Bill Williams starts at second five-eighth ahead of Adam Whitelock, and Sean Maitland comes back to the right wing, replacing Tom Marshall. Willi Heinz is promoted to the reserves bench as halfback cover.
For the Force, Nathan Charles comes into the starting side for Ben Whittaker, whose clavical injury appeared to be only fleeting. In another change David Smith returns from injury to his wing spot. It’s good to see Paddy Dellit retain his starting spot.
The Crusaders are on their way to a South African mini-tour and on the face of things, appear to be vulnerable just now to the Force resurgence. I can see a particular weakness in the halves. Although happy to jump on the bandwagon, I’m now having some second thoughts. The Force will need to play with intensity and discipline for the whole 80 minutes to win this one.
The other question is: when is Rabbit announcing his intentions for next year and beyond? What a fillip to the Force would a re-signing be?
Western Force: 1. Pek Cowan 2. Nathan Charles 3. Matt Dunning 4. Sam Wykes 5. Nathan Sharpe (c) 6. Richard Brown 7. David Pocock 8. Ben McCalman 9. Brett Sheehan 10. Willie Ripia 11. David Smith 12. James O’Connor 13. Patrick Dellit 14. Nick Cummins 15. Cameron Shepherd. Reserves: 16. Ben Whittaker 17. Kieran Longbottom 18. Matt Hodgson 19. Tevita Metuisela 20. James Stannard 21. Rory Sidey 22. Alfie Mafi.
Canterbury Crusaders: 1. Wyatt Crockett, 2. Corey Flynn, 3. Ben Franks, 4. Luke Romano, 5. Chris Jack, 6. George Whitelock, 7. Matt Todd, 8. Richie McCaw (c), 9. Kahn Fotuali’i, 10. Matt Berquist, 11. Zac Guildford, 12. Sonny Bill Williams, 13. Robbie Fruean, 14. Sean Maitland, 15. Israel Dagg. Reserves: 16. Quentin MacDonald, 17. Owen Franks, 18. Joe Wheeler / Reuben Thorne, 19. Jonathan Poff, 20. Willi Heinz, 21. Tom Marshall, 22. Adam Whitelock.
Referee: Vinnie Munro (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Nathan Pearce (Australia), Julian Pritchard (Australia)
Television match official: George Ayoub (Australia)
