In probably a new first for the Australian division of the Super 14 both the Western Force and Waratahs run-on sides selected for Saturday’s game in Perth are the same as last weekend.
For Tahs supporters that’s all well and good but for the Force there’d be a sense of disquiet. How could you pick the same guys that were pulped by the Reds the other day?
John Mitchell say’s he’s backing his player’s ability to respond to the challenge and is putting accountability back on the same playing group. This is in effect Mitch-speak for ‘there isn’t anyone else who’s up to the task’.
They’ve lost Pek Cowan (shoulder), Matt Dunning and new boy Jono Jenkins (broken ankle) to injury in their continued horror run on the road to perdition.
For NSW, Chris Hickey’s team came through their last match with only one injury concern. No 8 Wycliff Palu strained his hamstring, but that injury is not as serious as was first thought and he’s in the side.
“You analyse everyone’s performance after every game but after an effort like that against the Lions it was always fairly likely we’d stick with the same squad,” said Hickey.
They were on fire last weekend against an abysmal Lions defensive outfit and scored a record 11 tries in the process.
Their expansive play got the blood pumping, which is unusual for recent NSW efforts; but hey, you take it when you can get it.
I think that the Tahs will be keen to go another round with this style of play, but the Reds match aside, let’s remember that the Force have been in the game until the last 20 minutes each time.
I wouldn’t be doing the ‘Mr Entertainer’ thing until the platform was laid or there were overt signs of disintegration.
“You can’t assume anything going into these all-Australian matches,” said Hickey. “Last year we were six places ahead of the Force on the ladder and they beat us by a point, so we’re definitely not going to be starting the match with any level of complacency.
The reality is that on current form the Force will not be able to match the talent that the Tahs have especially in the set piece and out wide.
The Tahs scrum is without doubt one of the best in the competition and if Tyrrell’s lineout yips continue the glut of possession will be telling.
Hopefully for the Force, David Hill’s second outing will allow him to build some sort of combination with JOC and the other backs, and the forwards win some pill. There were long periods in last week’s match where they were completely bereft of ball.
John Mitchell still has confidence in his team despite both results from last week. He said “You would think that from previous performances some players will want to respond because they weren’t happy with the last performance.”
“The critical thing for us is that we haven’t got through much content in attack, and haven’t got a lot of reward.”
That’s Mitch-speak for ‘I’m not happy Jan; they were shit and better get their act together or I’m history’.
Lance F says: “I don’t think it’ll be a Tahs’ whitewash but a comprehensive win by 20 or so points”.
Late News Friday, 19 March: Palu (hamstring) and Baxter (calf) have been ruled out of tomorrow’s match. Both failed fitness tests. They have been replaced by Ben Mowen (playing off the back) and Sekope Kepu. Dan Palmer and Lachy McCaffrey come onto the bench.
WESTERN FORCE V WARATAHS
Saturday 20 March 2010 (Kick-off 7:10pm AWST, 10:10pm AEDT, 9:10 QLD) Members Equity Stadium, Perthfontein
Waratahs:
15. Sosene Anesi 14. Lachie Turner 13. Tom Carter 12. Berrick Barnes 11. Drew Mitchell 10. Daniel Halangahu 9. Luke Burgess 8. Wycliff Palu 7. Phil Waugh [c] 6. Dave Dennis 5. Kane Douglas 4. Dean Mumm 3. Al Baxter 2. Tatafu Polota-Nau 1. Benn Robinson
Reserves:
16. Damien Fitzpatrick 17. Sekope Kepu 18. Will Caldwell 19. Ben Mowen 20. Josh Holmes 21. Kurtley Beale 22. Rob Horne
Western Force:
15. Dane Haylett-Petty 14. Scott Staniforth 13. Ryan Cross 12. James O’Connor 11. Nick Cummins 10. David Hill 9. Brett Sheehan 8. Richard Stanford 7. Matt Hodgson 6. Ben McCalman 5. Nathan Sharpe 4. Sam Wykes 3. Tim Fairbrother 2. Ryan Tyrrell 1. Nic Henderson
Reserves:
16. Ben Whittaker 17. Kieran Longbottom 18. Tom Hockings 19. Luke Jones 20. Chris O’Young 21. Sam Harris 22. Mitch Inman
You can down load your G&GR Team List here , so if your over in Perth and going to the game, print out a whole bunch, fold them in half and impress your mates, saving yourself money at the same time. But if your not at the game, and your just staying home or watching from the pub then print it out anyway. You can still impress your mates…or your wife…dog..anyone. Enjoy!
