Super 14 Preview: Waikato Chiefs vs Western Force—Round/Week Four

Chiefs (12th: lost three) vs Western Force (Fourth: won two, lost one)
Venue: Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
Kick-off: Friday 6 March, 7.35pm (local), 5.35pm (AEDT)
Head to Head: Played Three: Chiefs two, Force one
Last year: Western Force 22, Chiefs 21 at Perth

The opening match of the round has the potential to be a tremendous contest. The Chiefs wallow in 12th position, potentially looking at a fourth straight loss. This would equal their shocking start in 2002, but would lag behind the disaster of 1999 where they opened with five defeats.

But, as most people would agree, this is not indicative of the operations talent.

The Force meanwhile, somehow sits in fourth spot. It is almost as if the reward of being only the second Australian team to defeat the Brumbies in Canberra has given them the gratis of this coveted berth.

A loss at home to a patched up Blues side showed some glaring inadequacies early in the season, and they then fumbled their way to a 16-10 win over a Cheetahs side (with absolutely no disrespect intended) who look a sure bet for the wooden spoon.

But the fire and brimstone approach against the Brumbies, led by a master class performance by Matt Giteau, showed the Perth franchise may yet have arsenal to challenge for their maiden semi-final. Certainly with Giteau at the helm, for while Dan Carter is injured he is unquestionably the world’s premier first five eighth.

The Chiefs have played the most decorated side in Super Rugby history—Seven time champions Canterbury, the best Australian side of recent years—two times runners up NSW, and arguably the best South African team—2007 runners up and current Currie Cup champions the Sharks.

A 6 point loss to Canterbury away was followed by another road trip to a four point loss to NSW. Throughout both games the Waikato based team was in a position to beat the 2008 finalists. Then the Sharks came to town, and for the third straight week, it was the opposition’s composure that handed the Chiefs their third straight heartbreak.

At times the Chiefs look simply magnificent, but it is almost as if there is something missing; a final stroke on the painting, a loose bit of mortar in the foundation.

With All Black Richard Kahui back this week and Captain Mils Muliaina not far off, their test representative laden team certainly has the offensive firepower to win at enough games in their traditional late season charge.

But it must start tonight.

Meanwhile it is a Force team missing only Richard Brown, who will miss the entire tour.

No doubt the Force, still such a young franchise, will look to further improve on their recent record. The win against the Brumbies was their first against the ACT. While two years ago the Force was humiliated in their New Zealand tour (including 64-36 destruction in Waikato), last year they beat the Blues and Highlanders away to win their first games in New Zealand.

Certainly the should have a bit more confidence this time round, even more so considering that this is Coach John Mitchells old stomping ground.

The Force will be a tough opponent, but the Chiefs will be too desperate to let this slip and will win by 10 points.

Chiefs: 15 Sosene Anesi, 14 Lelia Masaga, 13 Richard Kahui, 12 Callum Bruce, 11 Sitiveni Sivivatu, 10 Stephen Donald, 9 Brendon Leonard, 8 Liam Messam (c), 7 Serge Lilo, 6 Tanerau Latimer, 5 Kevin O'Neill, 4 Craig Clarke, 3 James McGougan, 2 Aled de Malmanche, 1 Ben May. Replacements: 16 Hika Elliot, 17 Joe Savage, 18 Toby Lynn, 19 Colin Bourke, 20 Toby Morland, 21 Mike Delany, 22 Jackson Willison.

Force: 1. Pek Cowan, 2. Tai McIsaac, 3. Ben Castle, 4. Tom Hockings, 5. Nathan Sharpe (c), 6. Tamaiti Horua, 7. David Pocock, 8. Matt Hodgson, 9. Josh Valentine, 10. Matt Giteau, 11. Cameron Shepherd, 12. Junior Pelesasa, 13. Ryan Cross, 14. Nick Cummins, 15. Drew Mitchell, Reserves: 16. Luke Holmes, 17. AJ Whalley, 18. David Pusey, 19. Richard Stanford, 20. Chris O’Young, 21. James O’Connor, 22. Haig Sare