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Assuming that todays announcement of the following Squad of All Blacks being rested for "conditioning" during the first seven weeks of the 2007 Super 14 is allowed to happen, what are the implications for the Force?
Forwards: Jerry Collins (Wellington), Jason Eaton (Taranaki), Carl Hayman (Otago), Andrew Hore (Taranaki), Chris Jack (Tasman), Richie McCaw (Canterbury), Chris Masoe (Wellington), Keven Mealamu (Auckland), Anton Oliver (Otago), Greg Somerville (Canterbury), Rodney So'oialo (Wellington), Reuben Thorne (Canterbury), Ali Williams (Auckland), Tony Woodcock (North Harbour).
Backs: Dan Carter (Canterbury), Byron Kelleher (Waikato), Leon MacDonald (Canterbury), Aaron Mauger (Canterbury), Malili Muliaina (Waikato), Josevata Rokocoko (Auckland), Sitiveni Sivivatu (Waikato), Piri Weepu (Wellington)
The published schedule for the Force is:
Round 1 Highlanders (Home)
Round 2 Stormers (Away)
Round 3 Bulls (Away)
Round 4 Cats (Home)
Round 5 Waratahs (Away)
Round 6 Hurricanes (Home)
Round 7 Reds (Home)
Round 8 Bye
Round 9 Sharks (Home)
Round 10 Crusaders (Away)
Round 11 Chiefs (Away)
Round 12 Brumbies (Away)
Round 13 Cheetahs (Home)
Round 14 Blues (Home)
So, Round 1 the Highlanders Front Row will be without Oliver and Hayman with the likely replacements being Jason Macdonald at Hooker (9xS14) and Chris King at Tighthead (25xS14). As a Home fixture we should be looking to turn this into our first Home victory having pushed them to 25-22 Away last season.
Round 6 against the Hurrcanes is our main advantage with Jerry Collins, Jason Eaton, Andrew Hore, Chris Masoe, Rodney So'oialo and Piri Weepu all rested.
Possible replacements will be 2. Luke Mahoney, 4. Luke Andrews, 6. Ross Kennedy,7. Serge Lilo, 8.Thomas Waldrom and 9. Brendan Haami.
Again, as a Home fixture we should be really looking to capitalise on the Hurricanes much weakend scrum to turn around the '06 29-5 Round 2 drubbing.
Round 10. Unfortunately we will be heading to New Zealand to play a rested Crusaders who will be looking to pick up any available points in a bid to defend their title and will have the upset of the Subiaco draw in their minds as well. This will be a real test of character for the Force.
Round 11 will also be a toughie however the majority of the Chiefs (and especially all the Forwards) will have been playing throughout the season so I don't think there will be much change in opportunity here.
Round 14 will see the resumption of hostilities with what is becoming our "hate" team. Again, as with the Chiefs, the rest period shouldn't have much impact on the outcome and, following a probable Home win over the Cheetahs, the Force should be looking to notch a win over our bogey team at Subiaco to finish the season on a high.
On balance I think the Force will benefit in Round 1 and 6 and won't be affected in Round 11 and 14. The negative will be against the rampaging Crusaders in Round 10 however, in reality, we were probably only an outside chance of an upset there anyway.
For the other Australian teams in that Round 1-7 window, the Brumbies play the Chiefs R1A, the Blues R2H and Hurricanes R4A.
The Waratahs luck out playing all the NZ teams from Round 8 onwards.
The biggest beneficiaries are the Reds with the Hurricanes R1H, Crusaders R2A, Blues R4A, Highlanders R6A and only the Chiefs in Round 8 however that is at Home prior to their Bye and following a trip to Subiaco.
Personally, I think it is probably a bad decision for New Zealand Rugby and the Super 14 however, if it gives the Force a bit of a leg up on the ladder then so be it.
Discussions on the actual policy have been going on here: http://thewholeforce.com/showthread.php?t=4116
Perhaps the discussion on this thread can remain on the implications for the Force?