Western Force
Western Force
10
SUBIACO OVAL
SATURDAY, 20 MARCH 2010
Full Time
14
Waratahs
Waratahs
 
15
D Haylett-Petty
15
M Bartholomeusz
14
S Staniforth
x1
13
R Cross
11
N Cummins
10
D Hill
9
B Sheehan
8
R Stanford
6
B McCalman
4
S Wykes
3
T Fairbrother
2
R Tyrrell
1
N Henderson
16
B Whittaker
17
K Longbottom
18
T Hockings
19
L Jones
20
C O'Young
21
S Harris
22
M Inman
Preview: Force v Waratahs
VENUE & TIME: Members Equity Stadium, Perth, Saturday March 20, 10.10pm (AEDT).
HEAD TO HEAD: Played 4 – Waratahs 2, Force 1, Draw 1.
LAST TIME: April 18, 2009 (Sydney) – Force 15-14 Waratahs (round 10).
LAST TIME AT VENUE: April 12, 2008 (Perth) – Waratahs 17-12 Force (round 9).
Match Odds: Luxbet: Force: $4.85, Waratahs: $1.18

WALKING WOUNDED: Chris Hickey has named an unchanged 22 for the third straight week as the Waratahs look to continue their climb up the ladder. There is some concern over No.8 Wycliff Palu and veteran prop Al Baxter (calf) but both are expected to take their places in the starting line-up. The Force are still without the services of flanker David Pocock (finger), No.8 Richard Brown (shoulder) and winger Cameron Shepherd (quad) after the Wallabies trio all suffered injuries in the opening round of the campaign.

FORM:
Waratahs Past Five:
Week 5: Win, 73-12 v Lions, Sydney
Week 4: Win, 25-21 v Sharks, Sydney
Week 3: Loss, 48-38 v Bulls, Pretoria
Week2: Loss, 27-6 v Stormers, Cape Town
Week 1: Win, 30-28 v Reds, Brisbane

Force Past Five:
Week 5: Loss, 50-10 v Reds, Brisbane
Week 3: Loss, 37-19 v Chiefs, Perth
Week2: Loss, 47-22 v Hurricanes, Wellington
Week 1: Loss, 24-15 v Brumbies, Perth
Week 14: Win, 33-28 v Highlanders, Perth

Having been booed by their own fans the previous week on the way to a narrow win over the Sharks, the Waratahs took their frustrations out on the hapless Lions with an 11-tries-to-two shellacking in perfect conditions at the SFS. The resounding win lifted Chris Hickey's men into seventh spot on the standings, two points adrift of the top four. While it must be remembered that it was the second time this season that the Lions conceded 70-plus points, the win leaves the Waratahs well placed with home fixtures against the Blues and Cheetahs' to follow this weekend's clash against the men from the west. The Force simply can't play any worse than they did in the first half against the Reds - or can they? Fresh from the bye week, John Mitchell's men hardly looked like a side that had enjoyed the benefit of a fortnight to prepare to face the banana benders, as they stumbled and fumbled their way to a 36-3 deficit at the break. Sure, they are severely undermanned and down on confidence, but at least they had a crack in their previous three losses. To their credit, they did stem the flow of points in the second forty which shows there is still some fight left, but it's hard to see a way out for the Force who are absolute certainties to claim the wooden spoon in 2010.

WHO'S HOT: Drew Mitchell enjoyed his best game in Waratahs colours against the Lions, scoring a record four tries to claim man-of-the-match honours in just his fifth appearance for NSW since moving on from the Force in the off-season. Lock Dean Mumm continued his impressive form from the Sharks game with a dominant display in his side's romp over the hapless Lions, while skipper Phil Waugh was as lively as ever in his 119th appearance for his home state. While you could make a case for including every Waratahs player in this category, it would be a stretch to include any members of the bottom-placed Force line-up after a woeful showing against the Reds.

WE THINK: Based on form there is absolutely no way the Force can turn things around and beat the Waratahs this weekend - but logic and commonsense should never enter the equation when tipping an all-Australian derby. The Force, who are staring down the barrel of a whitewash against the Australian provinces this season, were embarrassed by their performance against the Reds, and the Waratahs are understandably on high alert ahead of Saturday's clash. But with several key players still missing from the hosts' line-up, the visitors should be far too strong in the end. Waratahs by 15.

TEAMS:

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.
Force: TBC
REFEREE: Jaco Peyper
 
Preview: Force v Waratahs
VENUE & TIME: Members Equity Stadium, Perth, Saturday March 20, 10.10pm (AEDT).
HEAD TO HEAD: Played 4 – Waratahs 2, Force 1, Draw 1.
LAST TIME: April 18, 2009 (Sydney) – Force 15-14 Waratahs (round 10).
LAST TIME AT VENUE: April 12, 2008 (Perth) – Waratahs 17-12 Force (round 9).
Match Odds: Luxbet: Force: $4.85, Waratahs: $1.18

WALKING WOUNDED: Chris Hickey has named an unchanged 22 for the third straight week as the Waratahs look to continue their climb up the ladder. There is some concern over No.8 Wycliff Palu and veteran prop Al Baxter (calf) but both are expected to take their places in the starting line-up. The Force are still without the services of flanker David Pocock (finger), No.8 Richard Brown (shoulder) and winger Cameron Shepherd (quad) after the Wallabies trio all suffered injuries in the opening round of the campaign.

FORM:
Waratahs Past Five:
Week 5: Win, 73-12 v Lions, Sydney
Week 4: Win, 25-21 v Sharks, Sydney
Week 3: Loss, 48-38 v Bulls, Pretoria
Week2: Loss, 27-6 v Stormers, Cape Town
Week 1: Win, 30-28 v Reds, Brisbane

Force Past Five:
Week 5: Loss, 50-10 v Reds, Brisbane
Week 3: Loss, 37-19 v Chiefs, Perth
Week2: Loss, 47-22 v Hurricanes, Wellington
Week 1: Loss, 24-15 v Brumbies, Perth
Week 14: Win, 33-28 v Highlanders, Perth

Having been booed by their own fans the previous week on the way to a narrow win over the Sharks, the Waratahs took their frustrations out on the hapless Lions with an 11-tries-to-two shellacking in perfect conditions at the SFS. The resounding win lifted Chris Hickey's men into seventh spot on the standings, two points adrift of the top four. While it must be remembered that it was the second time this season that the Lions conceded 70-plus points, the win leaves the Waratahs well placed with home fixtures against the Blues and Cheetahs' to follow this weekend's clash against the men from the west. The Force simply can't play any worse than they did in the first half against the Reds - or can they? Fresh from the bye week, John Mitchell's men hardly looked like a side that had enjoyed the benefit of a fortnight to prepare to face the banana benders, as they stumbled and fumbled their way to a 36-3 deficit at the break. Sure, they are severely undermanned and down on confidence, but at least they had a crack in their previous three losses. To their credit, they did stem the flow of points in the second forty which shows there is still some fight left, but it's hard to see a way out for the Force who are absolute certainties to claim the wooden spoon in 2010.

WHO'S HOT: Drew Mitchell enjoyed his best game in Waratahs colours against the Lions, scoring a record four tries to claim man-of-the-match honours in just his fifth appearance for NSW since moving on from the Force in the off-season. Lock Dean Mumm continued his impressive form from the Sharks game with a dominant display in his side's romp over the hapless Lions, while skipper Phil Waugh was as lively as ever in his 119th appearance for his home state. While you could make a case for including every Waratahs player in this category, it would be a stretch to include any members of the bottom-placed Force line-up after a woeful showing against the Reds.

WE THINK: Based on form there is absolutely no way the Force can turn things around and beat the Waratahs this weekend - but logic and commonsense should never enter the equation when tipping an all-Australian derby. The Force, who are staring down the barrel of a whitewash against the Australian provinces this season, were embarrassed by their performance against the Reds, and the Waratahs are understandably on high alert ahead of Saturday's clash. But with several key players still missing from the hosts' line-up, the visitors should be far too strong in the end. Waratahs by 15.

TEAMS:

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.
Force: TBC
REFEREE: Jaco Peyper
 
80:00 Full time and the Waratahs have held on to win over the Force by 14-10 with a desperate defensive effort to close out the dying stages.
 
78:00 Penalty to the Force, and O'Connor finds touch 4m out, an outstanding kick.
 
75:00 Scrum feed to the Force close to tryline, but Waratahs have the strength to out muscle the Force, and clear their line to halfway.
 
72:00 Force getting frustrated at the penalty count going against them, and arguing with the ref is getting them nowhere.
 
70:00 Penalty to Waratahs. It's their 3rd infringement for incorrect binding in the scrum, and relieves the pressure for the Waratahs.
 
69:00 Force held up over the line after a spectacular effort on attack, but referring the decision to the TMO to check everything. No try, 5m scrum to Force.
 
67:00 Force on attack now after absorbing sustained pressure by the Waratahs and have the lineout close to the Waratahs tryline.
 
65:00 PENALTY GOAL WARATAHS - Halangahu kicks the penalty goal to increase the Waratahs lead to 4pts.
 
62:00 Scrum feed Waratahs, and they are stringing a good attacking phase together, but the Force's defence still holding.
 
59:00 The Waratahs are on attack on the 22m mark and have the opportunity to score again, but the defence of the Force is standing firm.
 
56:00 PENALTY GOAL WARATAHS - Halangahu converts the penalty into points and the Waratahs hit the lead again taking the score to 11-10. Force penalised for not binding in the scrum.
 
53:00 Lineout not straight from the Waratahs, and the penalty gets the Force out of danger deep in their own territory.
 
49:00 Scrum feed Waratahs just on their 22m line, and the clearing kick gets them out of danger.
 
44:00 Possession starting to be dominated by the Waratahs after a pick and go on the 4th phase of play.
 
43:00 Waratahs have the lineout on halfway, after 2 good breaks by both teams early in the 2nd half.
 
41:00 Waratahs start the 2nd half with a high kick to the 40, and regain possession.
 
40:00 At the half-time break the Force are leading by 10-8 and are looking good, while the Waratahs appear to be struggling a bit and seem a bit lethargic.
 
37:00 Wykes is replaced by Hockings after he was injured in a crunching tackle by Polota-Nau. It looks as if its a cork, but the damage may be worse than first thought.
 
35:00 A timely turnover to the Force on halfway as Cummins pulls off an amazing tackle, then gets to his feet and steals the ball perfectly.
 
32:00 The Force had the Waratahs under the pump for a few minutes there, but the defence held strong and they have forced the error. A big let off for the Waratahs who seem to be struggling a bit.
 
29:00 Waratahs handling errors really hurting them at this stage of the game - they have made 7 errors as opposed to the Force with only 1.
 
27:00 CONVERSION FORCE - O'Connor kicks the conversion to extend the lead to the Force by 10-8.
 
26:00 TRY FORCE - Staniforth scores for the Force.
 
23:00 Barnes is still off target, spraying another penalty goal attempt wide. The Force were penalised for using a knee in the breakdown (as opposed to their hands).
 
19:00 O'Connor tries to kick a penalty goal for the Force but again the ball has sailed wide of the uprights. All kickers seem to be struggling early in the game.
 
17:00 Barnes has pushed the conversion attempt wide, so the score remains 8-3 in favour of the Waratahs.
 
16:00 TRY WARATAHS - Mitchell scores after a tricky grubber turned the defence inside out, great effort with the pickup under difficult circumstances. Confirmed by the TMO.
 
14:00 The Force are gifted another penalty, but this one is on halfway. Sheehan the long range kicker attempts the kick ... it had the distance but it was just wide of the uprights - No goal!
 
12:00 Barnes has missed an easy penalty goal from right in front on the 22m line, after O'Connor was pinged for offside.
 
09:00 PENALTY GOAL FORCE - Obstruction is called against the Waratahs, and O'Connor levels the scores up at 3-all with the penalty from right in front.
 
05:00 Great defence by the Waratahs, holding off and early attack by the Force. They were looking good until they were penalised for holding on to the ball at the breakdown.
 
02:00 PENALTY GOAL WARATAHS - Barnes kicks the Waratahs into an early lead with a penalty goal. The Force were penalised for moving off the mark in the lineout - a harsh call.
 
01:00 The Force kick off to begin the 1st half, and it's a short grubber kick that hasn't quite paid off.
Western Force
Waratahs
Tries
S Staniforth
D Mitchell
 
Conversions
J O'Connor
 
Penalty Goals
D Halangahu (2), B Barnes, J O'Connor
 
50%
Possession
50%
 
 
 
 
6
Scrum Wins
4
15
Lineouts Wins
16
95
Rucks & Mauls
116
120/14
Tackles / Missed
96/17
7
Turnovers
11
13
Penalties Conceded
7
 
 
80:00 Full time and the Waratahs have held on to win over the Force by 14-10 with a desperate defensive effort to close out the dying stages.
 
78:00 Penalty to the Force, and O'Connor finds touch 4m out, an outstanding kick.
 
75:00 Scrum feed to the Force close to tryline, but Waratahs have the strength to out muscle the Force, and clear their line to halfway.
 
72:00 Force getting frustrated at the penalty count going against them, and arguing with the ref is getting them nowhere.
 
70:00 Penalty to Waratahs. It's their 3rd infringement for incorrect binding in the scrum, and relieves the pressure for the Waratahs.
 
69:00 Force held up over the line after a spectacular effort on attack, but referring the decision to the TMO to check everything. No try, 5m scrum to Force.
 
67:00 Force on attack now after absorbing sustained pressure by the Waratahs and have the lineout close to the Waratahs tryline.
 
65:00 PENALTY GOAL WARATAHS - Halangahu kicks the penalty goal to increase the Waratahs lead to 4pts.
 
62:00 Scrum feed Waratahs, and they are stringing a good attacking phase together, but the Force's defence still holding.
 
59:00 The Waratahs are on attack on the 22m mark and have the opportunity to score again, but the defence of the Force is standing firm.
 
56:00 PENALTY GOAL WARATAHS - Halangahu converts the penalty into points and the Waratahs hit the lead again taking the score to 11-10. Force penalised for not binding in the scrum.
 
53:00 Lineout not straight from the Waratahs, and the penalty gets the Force out of danger deep in their own territory.
 
49:00 Scrum feed Waratahs just on their 22m line, and the clearing kick gets them out of danger.
 
44:00 Possession starting to be dominated by the Waratahs after a pick and go on the 4th phase of play.
 
43:00 Waratahs have the lineout on halfway, after 2 good breaks by both teams early in the 2nd half.
 
41:00 Waratahs start the 2nd half with a high kick to the 40, and regain possession.
 
40:00 At the half-time break the Force are leading by 10-8 and are looking good, while the Waratahs appear to be struggling a bit and seem a bit lethargic.
 
37:00 Wykes is replaced by Hockings after he was injured in a crunching tackle by Polota-Nau. It looks as if its a cork, but the damage may be worse than first thought.
 
35:00 A timely turnover to the Force on halfway as Cummins pulls off an amazing tackle, then gets to his feet and steals the ball perfectly.
 
32:00 The Force had the Waratahs under the pump for a few minutes there, but the defence held strong and they have forced the error. A big let off for the Waratahs who seem to be struggling a bit.
 
29:00 Waratahs handling errors really hurting them at this stage of the game - they have made 7 errors as opposed to the Force with only 1.
 
27:00 CONVERSION FORCE - O'Connor kicks the conversion to extend the lead to the Force by 10-8.
 
26:00 TRY FORCE - Staniforth scores for the Force.
 
23:00 Barnes is still off target, spraying another penalty goal attempt wide. The Force were penalised for using a knee in the breakdown (as opposed to their hands).
 
19:00 O'Connor tries to kick a penalty goal for the Force but again the ball has sailed wide of the uprights. All kickers seem to be struggling early in the game.
 
17:00 Barnes has pushed the conversion attempt wide, so the score remains 8-3 in favour of the Waratahs.
 
16:00 TRY WARATAHS - Mitchell scores after a tricky grubber turned the defence inside out, great effort with the pickup under difficult circumstances. Confirmed by the TMO.
 
14:00 The Force are gifted another penalty, but this one is on halfway. Sheehan the long range kicker attempts the kick ... it had the distance but it was just wide of the uprights - No goal!
 
12:00 Barnes has missed an easy penalty goal from right in front on the 22m line, after O'Connor was pinged for offside.
 
09:00 PENALTY GOAL FORCE - Obstruction is called against the Waratahs, and O'Connor levels the scores up at 3-all with the penalty from right in front.
 
05:00 Great defence by the Waratahs, holding off and early attack by the Force. They were looking good until they were penalised for holding on to the ball at the breakdown.
 
02:00 PENALTY GOAL WARATAHS - Barnes kicks the Waratahs into an early lead with a penalty goal. The Force were penalised for moving off the mark in the lineout - a harsh call.
 
01:00 The Force kick off to begin the 1st half, and it's a short grubber kick that hasn't quite paid off.
Western Force
Waratahs
Tries
S Staniforth
D Mitchell
 
Conversions
J O'Connor
 
Penalty Goals
D Halangahu (2), B Barnes, J O'Connor
 
50%
Possession
50%
 
 
 
 
6
Scrum Wins
4
15
Lineouts Wins
16
95
Rucks & Mauls
116
120/14
Tackles / Missed
96/17
7
Turnovers
11
13
Penalties Conceded
7
 
 
'Tahs edge out Force
By Chris Pike at ME Bank Stadium, Sportal
The Western Force gained their first competition point of the Super 14 season but fell agonisingly close of victory as the New South Wales Waratahs held on 14-10 at ME Bank Stadium on Saturday night.

The Force put in their most impressive performance of the season so far after losses to the Brumbies, Hurricanes, Chiefs and an embarrassing 40-point defeat to the Reds, but a try to Drew Mitchell and two second-half penalties to Daniel Halangahu were enough for the Waratahs.

It was far from the free-flowing contest the Waratahs had last week in their 73-12 win over the Lions.

Berrick Barnes also missed three of four shots on goal in the first half, but Halangahu's boot and the strong Waratahs defence was enough to get them home without Al Baxter and Wycliff Palu.

The Tahs now have four wins from six games this season and move into fourth position ahead of the Brumbies with 18 points.

The Force hit the front in the 26th minute thanks to a converted Scott Staniforth try after he intercepted a pass from Barnes, and they kept pressing right to the final siren but the Waratahs defence and some calls from referee Jaco Peyper saw them come up short.

The home side's lineout, in particular, improved greatly after proving to be a major problem so far this season.

In fact, the Force didn't cough one up all night.

Both teams traded converted and missed penalties in the opening 15 minutes, but it was the Force who were looking the most dangerous with scores locked level on three.

The Waratahs scored the game's opening try, though, against the run of play thanks to some brilliance from Halangahu and good hands from Mitchell.

Halangahu put in a wonderful grubber kick into the path of Mitchell, who was able to gather cleanly - despite some close checking from two Force defenders, roll and ground the ball across the try line.

Barnes couldn't convert and the Force drew level thanks to superb reading of the play from Staniforth.

He knew what Barnes was going to do before the NSW No.12 did and as soon as Barnes went to pass, Staniforth was right there to receive it and he ran into open field and covered almost 60 metres to bring scores level at 8-8.

O'Connor converted to put the Force in front and the score stayed 10-8 at half-time.

Neither side could find enough space or continuous possessions to seriously threaten for a try in the opening 20 minutes of the second half, but much of that due to referee Peyper.

The South African continually pulled up both teams for minor infringements and was particularly picky in the scrum which held up the ability of both the Force and Waratahs to get anything going.

The visitors did benefit with two penalties which Halangahu converted at the 56th- and 64th-minute marks, but it was still the Force doing the bulk of the attacking as they searched for their first win of the season.

One attempt was ruled to be held up over the try line and then a late Force attack with a minute to go saw Peyper again call a penalty against the home side.

That was enough for the Waratahs to clear the ball, but the Force stole the lineout and had one last crack.

Peyper again intervened to rule against the Force in the breakdown and the Waratahs secured the four-point victory.

The Force remain at home the next two weeks to take on South African sides the Bulls and Stormers, while the Waratahs return to Sydney for the next fortnight to host the Blues and Cheetahs.

Western Force 10
Tries: Staniforth
Conversion: O'Connor
Penalties: O'Connor

NSW Waratahs 14
Tries: Mitchell
Penalties: Halangahu 2, Barnes
@ME Bank Stadium, Perth; 20/03/10. Crowd: Approx. 18,000.
Western Force
Waratahs
Tries
S Staniforth
D Mitchell
 
Conversions
J O'Connor
 
Penalty Goals
D Halangahu (2), B Barnes, J O'Connor
 
50%
Possession
50%
 
 
 
 
6
Scrum Wins
4
15
Lineouts Wins
16
95
Rucks & Mauls
116
120/14
Tackles / Missed
96/17
7
Turnovers
11
13
Penalties Conceded
7