Tahs suffer back-row blow for Force clash

[The InnFORCEr]

Nick Taylor The West Australian

April 8, 2014, 11:15 am



NSW Waratahs have lost No.8 Wycliff Palu ahead of Saturday’s Super Rugby match with Western Force at nib Stadium.

His match-up with in-form Force No.8 Ben McCalman was a clash Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie, who will be at the ground, would have been watching closely.

Palu was rested from the Waratahs round eight win over the Stormers after injuring his ankle in the loss to the Sharks in Durban the previous week.

He has failed to recover from the injury and return to Sydney in a bid to get him fit for the following weekend’s match against the Bulls at Allianz Stadium.

http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/spo...r-force-clash/



I can see the headlines already "Force beat Waratahs B Team"

[andrewg]

Nick Taylor The West Australian

April 8, 2014, 11:15 am






I can see the headlines already "Force beat Waratahs B Team"

Ask me if I care......4 points plus 4-try bonus will be just fine against whoever the Tahs get onto the field!!!

[kipper_mckinnon]

I really hope Folau plays.
Want to see him in the flesh and even score a couple of tries.
Then when we beat them fair and square they cant moan about their main man not playing !!!!

[Alison]

Great that McKenzie will be there! Means our boys have definitely made an impact this year. Let's hope he likes what he sees and can persuade the NSW-ARU alliance to up our quota somewhat!

[jargan83]

Great that McKenzie will be there! Means our boys have definitely made an impact this year. Let's hope he likes what he sees and can persuade the NSW-ARU alliance to up our quota somewhat!

Wallaby coaches have come to Perth in the past

[UNCLE BOOG]

Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie, who will be at the ground

Ill be sure to brush my hair then!

[AndyS]

Palu injured - whoever would have thought such a thing?!?!

Ah well, at least McKenzie will get a realistic preview ahead of the tests...

[The InnFORCEr]

I don't see how Palu will even get a look in with Benny Mac and Higgers in blistering form.

I would also like to see Izzy on the field on Saturday, without him they will have a encyclopaedia of excuses if they lose.

[Alison]

Wallaby coaches have come to Perth in the past

Yeah I know, but not when they've been in such red hot form as they are at the moment.

Just seen a list of Wallaby "Probables & Possibles" on the FoxRugby site & they only have Benny, the HB & Morahan from the Force. *sigh*.

[The InnFORCEr]

Thank goodness Fox Sports don't pick the team then!

[Alison]

This was the list they proposed!

Let's talk Wallaby Probables v Possibles. Why? Well Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie has floated the idea. Kinda.
McKenzie told The Daily Telegraph today he is thinking about organising an inter-squad game next year as part of the Wallabies’ World Cup preparations. Read the full story here.
He reckons it would be different to the All Blacks’ Probables vs Possibles matches of the past, but isn't quite sure how it will play out yet.
So until we have a concrete plan and process, let's call it ... Probables v Possibles.
Who would make your Wallabies Probables and Possibles teams, right now? Here's one of each that I have come up with to get the ball rolling.

WALLABY PROBABLES
1. James Slipper
2. Stephen Moore
3. Ben Alexander
4. James Horwill
5. Rob Simmons
6. Scott Fardy
7. Michael Hooper
8. Scott Higginbotham
9. Will Genia
10. Quade Cooper
11. Nick Cummins
12. Matt Toomua
13. Tevita Kuridrani
14. Adam Ashley-Cooper
15. Israel Folau

WALLABY POSSIBLES
1. Scott Sio
2. Tatafa Polota-Nau
3. Sekope Kepu
4. Kane Douglas
5. Luke Jones
6. Jake Schatz
7. Liam Gill
8. Ben McCalman
9. Nic White
10. Bernard Foley
11. Joe Tomane
12. Christian Lealiifano
13. Chris Feauai-Sautia
14. Luke Morahan
15. Kurtley Beale


Read more: http://thecrowd.foxsports.com.au/t5/...#ixzz2yH59NxGm

[SNOB]

Written by Greg, Tim, Kearnsy and Clarkie no doubt.

[Kept One]

It appears that the people who have been tipping against the Force all season have picked the team. Lets hope Ewen McKenzie has more sense otherwise it will be another 4 more years.

[Macattack]

I couldn't leave Benny Mac out of the team at the moment, he is in fantastic form. I know Higginbothm is playing well, but Benny's work rate has been far higher (no bludging on the wing that i have seen). Unfortunately, I doubt I would pick the Badger atm; although he hasn't seen much ball, his defence has not been top shelf, so I would prolly look elsewhere. Angus and Matty must be close, I think both have outplayed Shatz for the last three weeks (Fardy has also been impressive and his size helps, so he is prolly in front) - Let's hope our two have been noticed at the top.

[travelling_gerry]

Pek gotta be there too!