NSW Waratahs coach Michael Cheika is tipping a rough first round ride for his defending Super Rugby champions, at home to a Western Force side hoping to create a bit of franchise history.
Heading into Sunday’s game in Sydney, Cheika has steadfastly refused to use terms like going back-to-back and defending a title, arguing his side start afresh with no points to defend.
He has retained almost all his key players apart from lock Kane Douglas and the Tahs reportedly hope they can get him back from Ireland for at least a portion of their 2015 campaign.
NSW won their last nine matches of 2014 and come up against a Force side that looked set to make a maiden finals appearance until they lost three of their last four games.
Former NSW coach Michael Foley will ensure the Force are well structured and a strong setpiece unit.
“I think it’s going to be a really difficult match,” Cheika said.
“The Force are obviously on an upward curve and when you see their team they’ve got a lot of quality.
“They’ve got an all Australian front row now that (prop Tetera) Faulkner got capped on the (Wallabies 2014 end-of-year) tour. Ben McCalman was excellent on the trip as well.
“(Centre) Kyle Godwin is a player that I worry about a lot. He’s got a lot of x-factor.”
The Force have never won their opening match in their nine previous years in the competition.
“It’s not a great stat to have, but it’s certainly something we’re looking to change this weekend,” Force and Wallabies back rower McCalman told AAP.
“We know the Waratahs are a very physical side and look to start well, so the focus for us is starting well and matching the challenge and hopefully scoring some points.”
Star-studded NSW will field a formidable starting lineup, of which only winger Taqele Naiyaravoro hasn’t played Test rugby.
He replaces the departed Alofa Alofa, while the only other changes to last year’s run-on side for the final, revolve around a new second row combination of captain Dave Dennis and fellow Wallaby Will Skelton.
They fill the spots previously occupied by Douglas and Springbok forward Jacques Potgieter, who moves to blindside flanker in place of Stephen Hoiles.
Veteran Hoiles is one of six forwards on a Tahs bench which includes the only new face in their 23-man squad, lock and former NZ Warriors NRL player Sam Lousi.
The Force start their campaign without two of their most influential players.
Skipper and Test back rower Matt Hodgson, the competition’s leading tackler and pilferer last season has a hamstring injury, while Wallabies winger Nick Cummins isn’t available yet due to commitments to his Japanese club.
