Western Force v Blues, preview

May 03, 2007 - 3:31am
Story by: Sportal

Venue & time

Subiaco Oval, Perth, Friday May 4, 21:05 AEST (19:05 WA).

Head to head

Played 1 – Force 0, Blues 1.

Last time

April 14, 2006 (Albany) – Blues 39-8 Force.

Walking wounded & team changes

Force coach John Mitchell has made a couple of rotational changes in the forwards with flankers Luke Doherty and David Pocock starting with Richard Brown and Matt Hodgson on the bench. But the most significant switch sees champion playmaker Matt Giteau back at flyhalf with Junior Pelesasa at inside centre and regular No.10 James Hilgendorf among the reserves.

Luke McAlister returns from his fractured cheekbone at just the right time, since Sam Tuitupou would probably not have made it anyway after damaging his neck last week, but the big talking point in the Blues team is that, once again, Joe Rokocoko, Ali Williams and Keven Mealamu are not starting; Rokocoko is not even in the 22.

Form

The Force's season really ended with those back-to-back hidings from the Crusaders and Chiefs. A comprehensive win against the Cheetahs has seen them bounce back to form but it may just be one game too late get the year back on track. They need a 41-point winning margin in this match to make the semis. But even if they don't make the play-offs, the second-year team has performed with distinction and is clearly one of the two best Aussie teams in the 2007 competition.

The Blues season has hit not so much a pothole as a meteorite crater and needs to be sorted out right now, as in last week! The formula for the Blues is simple, as they still control their own destiny: win and you’re in, lose and you give someone else a chance.

Who's hot

Matt Giteau has been the Force’s best attacking weapon over recent weeks and cut some merry capers against the Chiefs and Cheetahs, who didn’t guard the inside channel particularly well. Making breaks through there may be tougher this week, but no doubt he’ll have a few looks. David Pocock has been strong all year for the Force and looks a real prospect while veterans like Nathan Sharpe and Scott Staniforth are playing well, while centre Ryan Cross had one of his best matches last week.

The Blues have fallen off the pace recently but Troy Flavell, Doug Howlett, Jerome Kaino and Daniel Braid have been consistently strong. Isaia Toeava has shown flashes of power and brilliance in most games but occasionally has ball retention issues, a little like Ma’a Nonu at the Hurricanes; he will, no doubt, put the Force’s midfield defence to a searching examination this Friday with his strong running and line-breaking ability but Ryan Cross and friends may also target him as a possible source of turnover ball.

Teams

Western Force:

1. Gareth Hardy,
2. Tai McIsaac,
3. Troy Takiari,
4. Rudi Vedelago,
5. Nathan Sharpe (c),
6. Luke Doherty,
7. David Pocock,
8. Scott Fava,

9. Matt Henjak,
10. Matt Giteau,
11. Digby Ioane,
12. Junior Pelesasa,
13. Ryan Cross,
14. Scott Staniforth,
15. Drew Mitchell.

16. Luke Holmes,
17. AJ Whalley,
18. David Pusey/Matt Hodgson,
19. Richard Brown,
20. Chris O’Young,
21. James Hilgendorf,
22. Haig Sare.

Blues:

1. Tony Woodcock,
2. Derren Witcombe,
3. John Afoa,
4. Greg Rawlinson,
5. Troy Flavell (c),
6. Jerome Kaino,
7. Daniel Braid,
8. Nick Williams,

9. Steve Devine,
10. Isa Nacewa,
11. Rudi Wulf,
12. Luke McAlister,
13. Isaia Toeava,
14. Doug Howlett,
15. George Pisi.


16. Keven Mealamu,
17. Nick White,
18. Ali Williams,
19. Justin Collins,
20. Taniela Moa,
21. Ban Atiga,
22. Anthony Tuitavake.

Referee: Jonathan Kaplan