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Western Force

Tim Anstee is one of the superstars tonight in the Force shirt. He is age 23 who plays blindside flanker at No.6.

He is happy with the requirements needed to produce. When Tim came in to look after his defensive play. So the Waratahs cannot slip past the Force own field. Got a good look at what they play. And helped his troops nail down the ball to turnover.

Communication not just important to protect the Force defense. And wipe away the Waratahs executions. He can apply the same traits going forward. When Tim has that tall reach & physicality to run.

A good example of his version of attacking approach. That would be once again as said earlier communication. You see Jeremy Thrush offload him with the inside pass. Then Tim activates his attacking instincts through the gate. It might not be the touchdown the first time. But at least he was not isolated. When he found Fergus Lee Warner for the big finish.

Although Anstee did get the touchdown himself later on. There is also talk up where it is an important aspect to test in any sport. Tim got a good read on how to split the Tahs defense. Before the Force line out was good. And you can see a brilliant offload immediately. As Tim exactly planned it right on the money.

It was Tim Anstee’s first start of the 2021 Super Rugby AU. After he made some minutes two weeks ago at home v Brumbies. He is settling very well into the XV game from the 7s tour. Gives him the tools of using the physicality & pace on all areas. And his run tonight shows that he can make a name for himself in Super Rugby. He is still learning from guys who played at International level. That will be a big benefit for his career in the long run.

Fergus Lee-Warner

Another Western Force star who stands out is Fergus Lee-Warner. He stars in a robust forwards unit with Tim Anstee.

He has got the tall height to look at the Tahs attacking setup. The home team lost these chances. Before he was able to help his troops turnover the ball. Thanks to the support he needed to form those blocks.

And he pays them the same work rate in the attack. Just like Fergus need a lot of powerful bodies to cancel the Tahs potential touchdowns. Used the physical trait and some pace in the final third.

Where you see Tim Anstee also running on the same page as Fergus. After a brilliant inside pass from veteran Jeremy Thrush on his opposite lock role. Gave his hand up to Anstee. With excellent talk up to let Fergus find his touchdown zone himself.

It goes to show that he is such an all-rounder in the Force side. Possessing all of the above attributes needed to produce a winning run. Especially when he follows their lead off captain Brynard Stander.

Well done on looking after his troops and help back himself up. In case of what the Tahs throw at them in return. Before presenting their own version. And wows them with valuable points on the board.

Jack Dempsey

It is hard yet again to see the Waratahs got shut down short. Despite some improved progress tonight. After coming here with two heavy defeats beforehand.

The one individual player who puts so much effort is Jack Dempsey. He looked after the Tahs defense with a great start.

Especially when he and his forwards unit able to spot the Force mistakes. And took their chances with the line-out. Where Dempsey was able to push the maul forward. Before giving his team-mate Dave Porecki for the 1st touchdown.

So this is great team-work and direction to guide his troops upfront. Not just the mind reading off the Force missed chances on occasions. Then apply with the physical strength to turn it around.

Same thing happens when he contributes going forward. Has got the physicality to break through the Force dummies. Just not enough support hand ups around him to help with the consistency. Where Jack forced to be isolated. While his backline dropped the ball. And saw his troops unfortunately beaten to the punch.

Not the night he wanted when he sat down upset in the dressing room. It is not his fault. Just issues way beyond the Tahs on field performance. All they can do now is show up as a different NSW side in Week 5. As next week is their week off.

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Tomorrow night is a very crucial night at BankWest Stadium in Parramatta. All eyes are on the NSW Waratahs. This is their first home game of 2021. And just came back with two heavy losses against them.

Even though these defeats come from the Reds & Brumbies. It is still not acceptable to see themselves as low-tier. With heaps of pressure annoying head coach Rob Penney. As they host the Western Force.

While Force also came in with a loss in Round 1 v Brumbies at home. They did not play last week due to a bye. But the Perth-based team have yet to win a game in Super Rugby AU. Since their re-admission last year. Hoping an influx of marquee International signings will lift them up.

Waratahs

Angus Bell is out with an ankle injury so Tetera Faulkner steps in his spot. With Harry Johnson-Holmes stays on as tighthead prop. Plus Dave Porecki in for Tom Horton as the 1st choice hooker.

Sam Caird retains his second row role at No.4. As Hugh Sinclair displaced Jack Whetton. Lachie Swinton & Carlo Tizzano in the flanker roles. And Jack Dempsey rounds out the Tahs defense at No.8.

Jack Grant starts in scrum-half alongside Will Harrison at No.10. James Ramm & Jack Maddocks on the wings. When Maddocks swapped his full-back role with Mark Nawaqanitawase. And both Tepai Moeroa & Alex Newsome in the middle.

Subs

Tom Horton has a chance to bounce back ahead of Porecki. If he jumps off later tomorrow night. Sio Tatola & Chris Talakai as back up props. Jack Whetton in the 2nd choice locks. So does Jeremy Williams who plays loose forward. Henry Robertson behind Grant. Tame Edmed ready to kick if Harrison comes off. And Triston Reilly as utility reserve back.

Western Force

Their front three was intact from Round 1 v Brumbies. Tom Robertson & Santiago Medrano in the props. Alongside Felati Kaitu’u where he will be 1st choice hooker.

Jeremy Thrush & Fergus-Lee Warner in the second row/lock. Tim Anstee & Kane Koteka as flankers. Before Brynard Stander rounds out the Force defense.

Tomas Cubelli starts at 9. With Tom McIntyre in first five-eighth. Toni Pulu & Byron Ralston on the wings. Richard Kahui & Tevita Kurindrani playing centrally. And Rob Kearney at full-back. With a few changes to complete their starting XV.

Subs

Andrew Ready as the back up hooker behind Kaitu’u. Angus Warner & Greg Holmes in the 2nd choice props. Ryan McCauley at second row. Tomas Lezana dropped back here after he started two weeks ago. Ian Prior as the reserve half-back. Domingo Mitotti as backup for Tom McIntyre. And Marcel Brache ready to find some minutes anywhere at the backline.

Final Thoughts

It will be a hard game to see which winless team comes out first. With 7 weeks left that first win of 2021 would mean a sign of resurgence. As the Tahs & Force are in a long way from reaching the Top 3. If it means trying to reach the Playoffs spots.

You got a young and inexperienced side who are tipped for the long run. Which does remind me of the Reds 2-3 years ago. When Brad Thorn first took over as head coach. And on the other side you got a very experienced team. At least for the majority who played Super Rugby & International level before. While some youth get to learn from this senior group.

Despite what Force has got on their disposal. It would be the Tahs who will bounce back by 10 points. And they hope to get the ball rolling. Especially with some youngsters settling in to the first team setting. Having once been dominant before a few years back in Super Rugby.

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Brumbies too good with the best of their attacking masterclass.

They took these chances well when the Waratahs looked misfiring at the back.

And the results are there with superior communication from their forwards. Having noticed the Tahs weaknesses in which turned into plenty of lost penalties/ball possession in the final third.

Able to plant a few phases before helping out the Brumbies backline unit dictate their play on all areas.

These are the moments that saw the Brumbies take home an easy win 61-10. Now they lead the Super Rugby AU ladder ahead of the Reds. With two home games over the next two weeks. When they take on the Melbourne Rebels next Saturday night. While the Reds take the week off from tomorrow. Before they come down here for Week 4 the week after. In which is going to be a very wild grand final revisit.

That is a side the Brumbies will not view the Rebels as an easy task. Rebels almost produced a shock win v the Reds two days back. When Matt Toomua cashed these penalty goals. Mistake after mistake from the Reds ill-discipline. As well as the unbalanced XV not firing off than expected in the 1st half. Even though it was a tryless portion. Reds still do not see this part of performance as good enough.

Fortunately for the Reds they came back from behind in the last 40. When there was attacking encouragement. Their backs may not been involved a lot for the majority. They still made mistakes going forward that conceded points in some ways. In contary to the forwards producing the hard work. Especially with the double touchdown from Alex Mafi. But the late change from Suliasi Vunivalu saw a better Reds side in the end. It is 1/2 strength that the Rebels unable to match.

Brumbies would still need to watch their discipline. And keep connecting the whole squad unpacking the attack. Plus the defense to be aware of the opppositon mistakes. Just like they did last night. If they want to keep their winning streak alive. Because in Round 6 last year the Brumbies were beaten by Rebels 30-12.

Waratahs on the other hand seen a misfiring backline let down the forwards hard work. Especially when the away side got the early lead. But then things went upside down ever since. Hard going through the first two games away from home. Ahead of a first home game of 2021 on Friday v Western Force who have yet to win a game as well.

Interesting to see if the Tahs can find the home ground advantage as a route to get themselves back on track. If the Tahs lose v Force, there will be lots of pressure from head coach Rob Penney. Not a good look here from the once dominant team as of late.

Roll on Week 3 now of Super Rugby AU.

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