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Excluding the aberration of 2007, games between the Western Force and the Crusaders have been nothing short of epic. This is the big clash on our calendar. This is the one the fans are waiting for. The Crusaders are the benchmark of Super rugby and last year’s win would have to rate as one of the clubs finest and most thrilling. Can the Force do it again and bring back some much needed credibility to their season?
We can definitely expect another blockbuster in front of a bumper crowd. Last year’s match was a sell-out, the 2009 trial between the two teams was a sell-out (on a long weekend no less!) and both matches played at Subiaco Oval drew in crowds of over 27,000. Although perhaps not an entirely pro-Force crowd, it should be 16th man on the field on Saturday night and hopefully lift the team if we are still in the hunt at the 60th minute mark.
The long awaited return of David Pocock, along with watching the Crusaders limping off the plane at Perth airport, will have buoyed the Force in the lead up to the game. Pocock returns for just his 3rd game of the season and his timely return occurs coincidentally with the return of Richie McCaw from an injured foot, which has limited him to just 30 minutes of game time this season. Other Force players who will be available for selection after an injury lay off will be the quintessential grafter, Matt Hodgson, and backs Mitch Inman and David Smith.
The Crusaders meanwhile are not so fortunate with injured players coming back into the side. No less than five All Blacks have been left out of the side in Brad Thorn, Sam Whitelock, Kieran Read, Andy Ellis and Daniel Carter. The loss of the former three is devastating for the Crusaders line-out, while Carter and Ellis’ absence forces Blackadder to persist with a halves pairing that didn’t cut the mustard against the Highlanders last weekend. Several other players, including utility forward Joe Wheeler, are also unavailable.
Despite their injuries, the Crusaders are still a danger team right across the park and this undoubtedly starts with their front row. The undisputed form pigs in the competition have troubled better front rows than the Force’s. Pek Cowan, Nathan Charles and Matt Dunning will have their work cut out for them to gain parity, or at least minimize the damage, from and all All Black front row of Wyatt Crocket, Corey Flynn and Ben Franks. The luxury of having a prop of the calibre of Owen Franks on the bench is not afforded to many teams. It is going to be a tough night in the scrums.
The Force will, however, find some reprieve in the line-outs where Nathan Sharpe and Sam Wykes continue their excellent partnership. The Crusaders have struggled to cope with their injuries in the second row and have resorted to calling in ex-Crusader captain Reuben Thorne to take a place on the bench while Chris Jack, who is arguably over the hill, and Luke Romano, who is arguably a bit too green, take starting honours. There will be an opportunity here for Sharpe to do the same kind of damage he inflicted on the Brumbies two weeks ago and win the battle for territory.
The highlight of the match will, as usual, be the clash of the two back rows and the ensuing scrap-fest at the breakdown. Last weekend we were treated to a showdown between line-out kingpins Victor Matfield and Nathan Sharpe; this weekend will be a master class at the breakdown from David Pocock and Richie McCaw. Pocock is more than ably supported by form forwards, Richard Brown and Ben McCalman- both no doubt keen to impress Robbie Deans. McCaw is also not without strong support from young dynamos Matt Todd and George Whitelock. The Crusaders pair are not short on talent, however you can’t help but feel the Force will have the Crusader’s number here, particularly with Matt Hodgson ready to fire from the bench. You can bet your ass they will need to with the backline that the men in red are about to unleash.
Few sides in world rugby would turn away backs like Israel Dagg, Zac Guildford, $onny Bill-Williams, and Robbie Fruean. Between them there is enough x-factor and talent to make three seasons of a so named television show. There will be no hiding place in defence for the Force backs. James O’Connor in particular will have a tough assignment in neutralizing a rampaging $onny Bill-Williams. He needs to have to confidence in his team mates to be able to come in low and let them worry about the off-loads. The one big hope will be that ascendancy at the breakdown will make their lives a whole lot easier. The Force’s defensive effort against the Bulls was pretty pleasing while our attack has been coming along steadily in the past few weeks. Consistent selection and the return of Willie Ripia have helped a lot here.
Given the strengths and weaknesses of the Crusaders around the park, Richard Graham will no doubt be looking towards a game-plan somewhat similar to that employed against the Brumbies. The Crusaders can attack from anywhere but keeping them locked in their own territory will remove some of that freedom and give us time to scramble in defence if they do make a break. If the boys come out with the same intensity that they showed against the Bulls, we should win the battle between the two packs and wreck havoc on the breakdown as the game wears on. Interestingly, last year’s effort was won on the back of our pack with all three of our tries coming from our forwards. The same mentality and teamwork is a must.
The Prediction
I say this every week, but this game is without a doubt a bookmaker’s conundrum. I don’t envy the vbookie this weekend. The Force have only won three in a row once in their history, while the Crusaders don’t often lose back to back, especially when their finals aspirations are on the line. Then again, the Force did win last year’s fixture and have recently been in a rich vein of form. An injury depleted Crusaders side is not the calibre of beast that we overcame last year. It’s hard not to see this one being close, if not breathtakingly so. Have your heart pills on standby guys. This one is too close to call- I’m going with 3 points in either direction.
The Teams
Force:
1. Pek Cowan
2. Nathan Charles
3. Matt Dunning
4. Sam Wykes
5. Nathan Sharpe (Captain)
6. Richard Brown
7. David Pocock
8. Ben McCalman
9. Brett Sheehan
10. Willie Ripia
11. David Smith
12. James O'Connor
13. Patrick Dellit
14. Nick Cummins
15. Cameron Shepherd
Reserves
16. Ben Whittaker
17. Kieran Longbottom
18. Matt Hodgson
19. Tevita Metuisela
20. James Stannard
21. Rory Sidey
22. Alfie Mafi
Crusaders:
Wyatt Crockett, Corey Flynn, Ben Franks, Luke Romano, Chris Jack, George Whitelock, Matt Todd, Richie McCaw, Kahn Fotuali'i, Matt Berquist, Zac Guildford, Sonny Bill Williams, Robbie Fruean, Sean Maitland, Israel Dagg. Res: Quentin MacDonald, Owen Franks, Joe Wheeler/Reuben Thorne, Jonathan Poff, Willie Heinz, Tom Marshall, Adam Whitelock.
For the fans:
Just to remind you what you have been missing out on these last 7 weeks....
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