Waratahs plan to be smarter against Force
Feb 24, 2017 - 3:22 AM A smarter NSW Waratahs side are determined not to again fall into the traps set by Western Force in their opening round Super rugby clash on Saturday.While the Force have been among the perennial stragglers they have a good record against the Tahs.
They won three straight against NSW before losing in Perth last year and have won three and drawn one of seven games in Sydney.
Upset wins apart, Force have frequently succeeded in frustrating NSW and slowing them down, especially at the breakdown.
The Force will reportedly play a more expansive game under new coach David Wessels, but the Tahs are preparing for another battle. .
"(Force have) a massive kicking game and trying to pressure us in our 22, we've come up with plans to counter that and just be smarter is what we want to do," said Waratahs' prop Sekope Kepu said..
"Know when to play and know when to run and kick."
The Waratahs made a late change to their bench with potential debutant Senio Toleafoa replacing back rower Brad Wilkin, who suffered an ACL knee injury for a second straight season.
Coming off the bench for Force will be long serving former Waratahs hooker and Test front rower Tatafu Polota-Nau, who Kepu couldn't recall ever packing down against in a competitive game.
"I'm sure there will be a bit of face rubbing, but thats all part of the game," Kepu quipped.
"He's a massive addition to them and not only on the field but off the field as well.
"He brings the morale and the culture and the weirdness that he does to the team."
Kepu's return from a season in France will be vital for a NSW pack that apart from Polota-Nau, has lost three other Wallaby forwards from last season in Dave Dennis, Benn Robinson and Wycliff Palu.
"Whilst we improved late last year we still want to turn ourselves into a really world-class pack and we're far from that at the moment," Blades said.
Force will field several other new faces, with former rugby league player Curtis Rona among their backline recruits.
The Waratahs are seeking to reassert themselves at Allianz Stadium after losing four home games last season.
"One of our goals is to make this a fortress and bring back the home ground advantage," ,Kepu said.
Source: AAP
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