The moment has arrived when the Force’s marquee signing, Willie Ripia, is finally free from injury and making his long-awaited debut.
Ripia is an exciting player with a bit of that ‘X-factor.’ He can manage a game, take the ball to the line and has a cultured boot, although there have been question marks about his consistency. The Force will be mightily relieved that he’s finally on the park in this most important match-up; however, I wouldn’t get too carried away this early.
In a surprise move for some, coach Woody Graham has selected Rabbit O’Connor at fullback and switched Cameron Shepherd to the wing. This shouldn’t be that much of a surprise, as Graham had suggested this very thing when discussing the backline configuration before the season started.
The media-touted KB v JO’C match-up at flyhalf is obviously now a damp squib. Never mind, JO’C will no doubt inject himself all over the place and may even reprise his first receiver/flyback role when Willie goes flaccid.
There was some suggestion that Richard Brown, a natural No. 7, would move to cover for the injured Matt Hodgson, but Jono ‘Johnson’ Jenkins (Triple J) has been selected at openside in his run-on debut. You’ll remember him from last year in Brisbane when he unfortunately broke his leg in his first appearance. You’d wish him ‘good luck’, but not in the theatrical way.
Alfie Mafi is the casualty for Ripia and Ben Whittaker returns to the starting fifteen in a switch with the impressive Nathan Charles. The Force are really fired up for this one. The forwards rocked up for today’s 9.30am training session an hour early and ripped into it. My mail is that this session was one of the best of the season. It’ll need to be against a clearly superior side like the Tahs.
The Force must learn to play with more composure, because a couple of times this season they’ve blown it when they could have prevailed at the death. Last week’s 25-26 loss to the Rebels was a classic example. If they lose this match, they can kiss goodbye any faint hopes of a half-decent finish.
The Tahs are again without the talismanic Phil Waugh. The ‘soft underbelly’ that pervaded the early Reds seems to have spread to the Tahs when they’re a Waugh-free zone. I suppose there’s not much he can do from the sideline but someone needs to fire them up. It would seem to me that Berrick Barnes would be the answer if he weren’t injured; certainly the Acting Captain doesn’t look as though he has the authority.
In the only changes to the starting XV, Kane Douglas has replaced Pat O’Connor after his lesson rest and Pat McCutcheon is in for the Waugh-horse. Chris Alcock comes onto the bench in a five/two setup. This young flanker debuted last year against the Cheetahs and has plenty of raps on him. It’s also good to see Le Fuse return to the fray after injury. You know, I’ve been a fan of his over recent times, but he needs to bring more consistency to his game.
Despite their sitting in a reasonable position on the table, it’s fair to say the Tahs have been hot and cold this year . Their scrum looked more polished last week and it was good to see Benn Robinson back into some form. Something must be done to keep TPN from injuring himself all the time — he’s another Tongan Torpedo!
Last week against the Chiefs they lost some focus, which could have proved fatal against a more polished side. From memory, last year’s encounter with the Force was a dirge. Let’s hope both sides give the ball some air and we see plenty of action. Yeah, sure.
The Tahs have too much class for a meat-and-two-veg Force outfit but anything less than total commitment could result in disaster. On the Force side, I would have said home town advantage would be a factor but the Rebels have debunked that idea.
Lance says: “Tahs to serve up a Balmain bug tart with spinach and watercress puree. Oh, and win by 14. Burp”
Waratahs:
1. Benn Robinson 2. Tatafu Polota-Nau 3. Sekope Kepu 4. Dean Mumm 5. Kane Douglas 6. Ben Mowen 7. Pat McCutcheon 8. Wycliff Palu 9. Luke Burgess 10. Kurtley Beale 11. Drew Mitchell 12. Tom Carter 13. Ryan Cross 14. Atieli Pakalani 15. Lachie Turner
Reserves: 16. Damien Fitzpatrick 17. Al Baxter 18. Sitaleki Timani 19. Dave Dennis 20. Chris Alcock 21. Brendan McKibbin 22. Daniel Halangahu
Western Force:
1. Pek Cowan 2. Ben Whittaker 3. Tim Fairbrother 4. Sam Wykes 5. Nathan Sharpe 6. Richard Brown 7. Jono Jenkins 8. Ben McCalman 9. Brett Sheehan 10. Willie Ripia 11. Cameron Shepherd 12. Gene Fairbanks 13. Nick Cummins 14. David Smith 15. James O’Connor
Reserves: 16. Nathan Charles 17. Kieran Longbottom 18. Tom Hockings 19. Tevita Metuisela 20. James Stannard 21. Rory Sidey 22. Pat Dellit
Saturday, 9 April 2011 at nib Stadium, Perth 8.05pm (AWST) 10.05pm (AEST)
Referee: Garratt Williamson (New Zealand)
Assistant Referees: Steve Walsh (Australia), Julian Pritchard (Australia)
TMO: Steve Lesczcynski (Australia)
*Western Force will run out in a new jersey on Saturday night with the unique design being worn to aid the work of EightyTwenty Vision, a club-aligned charity co-founded by David Pocock.
