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Western Force dealing with outbreak ahead of Waratahs game
By AAP
The Western Force will be aiming to overcome a COVID-19 disruption and the heartbreak of their two most recent losses when they take on the NSW Waratahs in Perth on Saturday night.
Force coach Tim Sampson, Wallabies enforcer Izack Rodda, and scrumhalf Issak Fines-Leleiwasa are all isolating and will miss the match against NSW after being deemed close contacts.
The Perth-based franchise are in desperate need of a win after their one-point losses to the Melbourne Rebels and Brumbies left them clinging to eighth spot with a 2-5 record.
Given the Force's hardest part of the fixture lays ahead of them, a win is a must against the Waratahs.
NSW (4-3) moved up to fifth spot following their 38-14 win over Fijian Drua before the bye.
The Waratahs have been bolstered by the return of captain Jake Gordon from a hamstring injury, while Michael Hooper is in the starting side for the first time this season after making an appearance via the bench against the Drua.< /p>
The Force's poor starts against the Rebels and Brumbies proved costly.
The Brumbies led 20-3 after 17 minutes, while the Rebels opened up a 13-0 lead after 20 minutes before the Force kicked into gear.
Force forward Brynard Stander said there had been a focus on fixing the poor starts.
"It's obviously been really narrow, the margins," Stander said.
"It's important we stay together as a group regardless of the results.
"The Tahs are a quality side. They've shown that in the last four or five weeks.
"But we've also shown we're a quality side. Tomorrow night's difference is going to be who wants it more. I think there's a lot of fire in our bellies at the moment."
Force vice-captain Kyle Godwin will notch his 100th Super Rugby appearance when he steps out against the Waratahs.
Stander wants to mark the occasion with a victory.
"Being able to share the field tomorrow night with a club legend Kyle in his 10 0th is going to be cool," Stander said.
"W e all want to get behind him and hopefully get the best result possible, not just for Kyle, but also the club."
Force attack coach Mark Ozich will take charge in Sampson's absence, while captain Feleti Kaitu'u and winger Toni Pulu have been named to return to the starting line-up.
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Latest Comments
They won’t be rested Ed. Gathie was forced to ditch that practice, by WR, LNR, or whoever, IDK.
It’s very simple and you obviously know this, they do what’s best for the athlete. Galthie is just doing his part in making sure they don’t break, you know, like a team effort.
Just as LNRs teams are.
Bottom lines? The players don’t get a lot of rest as their season is so long, yes, but Galthie can select any player he wants in an International window. You just have to ask yourself does Galthie want to select that player or ensure they are rested? You just need to stop being obtuse, and some French white knight guy, what you say is simply untrue.
Why not just word it properly?
Go to commentsI can see where you are coming from.
The ANZAC myth has been used by sports teams for years. Some to a greater degree e.g. the old Rugby League ANZAC test, some other sports will make passing reference in the advertising or commentary etc.
I don’t think the ANZACs (looking down from heaven) see themselves as sacred cows. I think they would rather see a game of rugby in their honour. What better time to hold a Bledisloe cup match?
ANZAC day is about both remembering the ANZAC’s sacrifice, and their descendants celebrating the freedom we have because of that sacrifice. If a Bledisloe ANZAC test was done in a tasteful way. I see no issue with it.
I don’t think rugby league deserved to host an ANZAC test as rugby league organisations encouraged their players not to go to WWI (Australia didn’t conscript for WWI).
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