The 2016 season is halfway done for both these teams, although the unkind among us would say it is already done and only the formalities remain.
The Waratahs will be desperate to retain some hope of making the play-offs while the Force will be hoping to rub the Tahs’ collective nose in it, aiming to continue their recent record against the Waratahs of W-W-W.
Their overall record against the Tahs is five wins and a draw from 15 starts; so if you are that way inclined it may pay to put a few dollars on the home side sneaking away with a win.
Or possibly not.
Western Force – can they keep their streak going?
Teams & Details
The Force have a competent and competitive forward pack and will cause the Waratahs some problems here while the Tahs” backline looks too slick for the Force particularly in the centres and wings.
As I see it, we have two teams who are struggling and two coaches under pressure. Experience tells me those are not usually precursors for a great match.
The Force will play their usual abrasive, down in the trenches, hand to hand battle in the forwards led by their resilient and inspirational skipper Matt Hodgson.
They have a way of distracting the Tahs and it will take a more disciplined effort from all 23 Tahs players to remain focussed on trying to move the ball quickly from the breakdown to their potential match-winners wearing the high numbered jerseys.
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Force
1. Francois van Wyk
2. Heath Tessmann
3. Tetera Faulkner
4. Steve Mafi
5. Adam Coleman
6. Angus Cottrell
7. Matt Hodgson (c)
8. Ben McCalman
9. Alby Mathewson
10. Peter Grant
11. Semisi Masirewa
12. Junior Rasolea
13. Ben Tapuai
14. Marcel Brache
15. Dane Haylett-Petty
Reserves:
16. Harry Scoble
17. Chris Heiberg
18. Jermaine Ainsley
19. Rory Walton
20. Brynard Stander
21. Ryan Louwrens
22. Kyle Godwin
23. Albert Nikoro
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Waratahs
1. Paddy Ryan
2. Hugh Roach
3. Tom Robertson
4. Dave Dennis
5. Will Skelton
6. Jack Dempsey
7. Michael Hooper (c)
8. Jed Holloway
9. Nick Phipps
10. Bernard Foley
11. Rob Horne
12. Kurtley Beale
13. Israel Folau
14. Reece Robinson
15. Andrew Kellaway
Reserves:
16. Tatafu Polota-Nau
17. Jeremy Tilse
18. Angus Ta’avao
19. Dean Mumm
20. Wyclff Palu
21. Matt Lucas
22. David Horwitz
23. Matt Carraro
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Match Details
Match : Force v Waratahs
Date : Saturday 9 May 2016
Venue : nib Stadium, Perth
Kick Off local: 17:40 (AEST 19:40)
Referee: Rohan Hoffman
Assistant Referees: Andrew Lees, Matt O’Brien
TMO: Peter Marshall
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Tatafu Polota-Nau – Michael Cheika will be interested in his recovery
It is telling that neither the Force nor the Waratahs feature in the top 10 for any of the following Super Rugby statistics in 2016:
- Most points by an individual player
- Most tries by an individual
- Most points from goal kicking
- Defenders beaten
- Clean breaks
The portents for exciting running Rugby are not great but there’s sure to be plenty of effort and some brutal collisions at the breakdown.
Wallaby coach Michael Cheika will no doubt be interested in the recovery of Tatafu Polota-Nau whilst he also casts his eye over fringe candidates such as the Force’s lock Adam Coleman (who remains extremely effective at line-out time and has been developing an offload game of sorts).
Force fullback Dane Haylett-Petty will relish the opportunity to impress as will Tahs flanker and skipper Michael Hooper whose recent form has been criticised by former Wallaby coach Bob Dwyer.
Young guns such as Kyle Godwin and Harry Scoble for the Force and Andrew Kellaway and Tom Robertson for the Tahs will also look to push their case for inclusion in a Wallaby camp.
Adam Coleman – worth a watch
Why should I bother?
Good question.
I’ll be watching because we will see some future Wallabies here. We’ll see Adam Coleman step up against Dennis and Skelton and demand serious consideration for a Gold jersey in 2016.
We’ll see the under-rated but experienced Force backrow of Hodgson, McCalman and Cottrell attempt to cause all sorts of mayhem against Tahs backrowers Michael Hooper, Jed Holloway and Jack Dempsey .
These three will need to compete ferociously and intelligently to protect Waratahs’ ball. The battle of the backrows will be vital. Expect a torrid tussle.
Ben McCalman – part of of the vital backrow contest
Prediction
I’m torn on this, but I’ll call it for the Force on the basis that they should secure enough primary possession to allow their usual game to prosper and that the Tahs will fall into “that thing they do” when they seem to be almost mesmerised by their opponents.
At some stage the Tahs will snap out of it and start to run the Force off their feet but will the Force have established enough of a lead?
Force by 3.
Statistics courtesy of Opta Sports
