Force not scared of Waratahs firepower
AAP
Justin Chadwick February 17, 2014, 1:57 pm
On paper it looks mighty daunting, but Western Force halfback Alby Mathewson insists his side have nothing to fear heading into Sunday's Super Rugby clash with the NSW Waratahs in Sydney.
The Waratahs are spoilt for choice when it comes to their backline, with internationals Israel Folau, Kurtley Beale, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Rob Horne, Nick Phipps and Bernard Foley giving them awesome strike power.
In contrast, the Force backline features just three internationals - winger Nick Cummins, one-Test Wallaby Luke Morahan and former All Black Mathewson (four caps).
NSW also boast a host of talent among their forwards and are raging favourites to beat the Force.
But Mathewson said the Waratahs had chinks in their armour that could be exposed.
"Attacking wise, the Waratahs are really strong. They've probably got Wallabies on the bench," Mathewson said.
"But they've got to tackle as well.
"We've seen some things that we can exploit in the backline.
"They move players around on defence to protect them. It's obviously for a reason.
"There's no reason why our backs can't go head-to-head with them.
"We've got the Honey Badger (Nick Cummins), who's a Wallabies winger.
"Luke Morahan has been unreal for us through the pre-season. And with Junior (Rasolea) and Kyle (Godwin) there, I don't think there's anything to worry about."
The Force's backline is expected to feature at least two new players, with Morahan likely to be given first crack at fullback, and former Brumbies playmaker Zack Holmes set to take over at five-eighth.
The match will mark Mathewson's 100th Super Rugby appearance.
The former Blues and Hurricanes halfback has never missed a Super game through injury, but was sporting two black eyes on Monday after a bruising encounter against the Argentinian Pampas on Friday night.
"It was just a face clash. I was making sure my nose wasn't broken," Mathewson said.
"It was just watery eyes with a cut and blood."
http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/spo...ahs-firepower/
