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Waratahs v Western Force, preview
March 01, 2007 - 2:22am
Story by: Sportal
Venue & time:
Sydney Football Stadium (Sydney). Friday March 2, 2007 19.40 AEDT
Head to head:
Played 1: Waratahs 1, Western Force 0
Last time:
March 17, 2006 (Perth). Waratahs 32 - 7 Western Force
Walking wounded & team changes:
The Waratahs lost skipper Phil Waugh for most of the season with an ankle injury last start and have a number of other key players on the long-term injured list including Wallabies Daniel Vickerman and Alex Kanaar. However, the team has had the benefit of the bye last week so most players have been able to get over any niggling injuries. In addition to rookie Beau Robinson taking Waugh's spot, Waratahs coach Ewen McKenzie has opted to make a few positional changes in the backline. Morgan Turinui returns to the starting side on the wing, Peter Hewat moves to fullback and former flyhalf Daniel Halangahu starts at inside centre. Wallaby David Lyons has recovered from a set of injuries and will play in his first match of the 2007 Super 14 season after being named on the bench.
Loose forward David Pusey has overcome a groin injury and returns to the Force starting line-up at blindside flanker, with Luke Doherty going back to the bench. The only other change sees openside flanker Richard Brown come back into the run-on side, at the expense of Matt Hodgson, who drops out of the 22.
Form:
The Waratahs have only won one of their opening three games. They stitched up the Lions quite convincingly before being beaten by the in-form Sharks and then just fell short in their last contest against the Cheetahs. They have been playing good rugby in patches but need to put in a concerted, 80-minute effort.
The Western Force are one of the form teams of the comp at the moment. They have looked spectacular at times scoring some fantastic tries, but they still seem to panic when the pressure is on. They can beat anyone in the competition on their day, but consistency and patience is what they need to acquire.
Who's hot:
It is hard not to be impressed by Waratahs teenage flyhalf Kurtley Beale. He bamboozled the opposition at times in attack in his debut Super 14 start last match. He has a stack of natural ability combined with lightning fast feet and unpredictability that makes him so dangerous. Other standouts include Wycliff Palu and Rocky Elsom, who took up the strain in the loose last week following the loss of Waugh, while new skipper Adam Freier will want to lead from the front.
Western Force centre Ben Cross (ahh, that would be Ryan!) had a huge game last week. The rugby league convert seems to be finding his feet in Super rugby and created plenty of havoc in the middle of the park. Winger Cameron Shepherd is another one to watch, while Matt Giteau is relishing the flyhalf role. Prop Gareth Hardy has been playing out of his skin as has skipper Nathan Sharpe.
Teams
Waratahs:
1. Benn Robinson,
2. Adam Freier [c],
3. Alastair Baxter,
4. Dean Mumm,
5. Will Caldwell,
6. Rocky Elsom,
7. Beau Robinson,
8. Wycliff Palu,
9. Josh Valentine,
10. Kurtley Beale,
11. Lote Tuqiri,
12. Daniel Halangahu,
13. Ben Jacobs,
14. Morgan Turinui,
15. Peter Hewat
16. Tatafu Polota-Nau,
17. Aaron Broughton-Rouse,
18. Ben Hand,
19. David Lyons,
20. Brett Sheehan,
21. Sam Norton-Knight,
22. Sam Harris
Western Force:
1. Gareth Hardy
2. Brendan Cannon
3. Troy Takiari
4. Rudi Vedelago
5. Nathan Sharpe (c)
6. David Pusey
7. Richard Brown
8. Scott Fava
9. Matt Henjak
10. Matt Giteau
11. Cameron Shepherd
12. Junior Pelesasa
13. Ryan Cross
14. Scott Staniforth
15. Drew Mitchell
16. Tai McIsaac
17. Angus Scott
18. Luke Doherty
19. David Pocock
20. Chris O’Young
21. James Hilgendorf
22. Haig Sare
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