Forget about ghostbusters, the Western Force want to turn themselves into hoodoo busters this season – and the NSW Waratahs are the ones standing in their way.
The Force are yet to win in a season opener, and they face a tough task to break that nine-year drought when they take on the defending champion Waratahs in Sydney on Sunday.
The Waratahs will run out boasting a side laden with Test stars.
In contrast, the Force will be missing two of their most important players – injured skipper Matt Hodgson, and star winger Nick Cummins, who will return from Japan later this month.
The Waratahs thrashed the Perth-based franchise 43-21 in last year’s season opener, but Force coach Michael Foley is hopeful of causing an upset this time around.
“You would love to win the first game of the season. It would be a novel thing,” Foley said.
“We certainly didn’t play well (in round one last year).
“The Waratahs obviously went on to become champions. At the time we didn’t realise they were going to be that.
“We didn’t play our best rugby and then we lost our second game at home – and then we came out and put five wins together, which the club had never done.”
The Force missed out on a finals berth by just two competition points last season, but hopes are high within the franchise they will break their duck in 2015.
Lock Sam Wykes will captain the side in the absence of Hodgson, who will miss the first two months of the season with a torn hamstring.
Hodgson was an inspiration last year, and the fringe Wallabies flanker is set to play an important role off the field during his recovery.
“He’ll probably sit in the box with us,” Foley said.
“We had Alby Mathewson up there with us last year, so that was an experience.
“Hodgo is a lot quieter than Alby, so that should go a little bit better.
“From time to time we’ve had guys sit up there with us. It’s interesting having a players’ perspective during the match.
“Hodgo’s definitely got aspirations to move into coaching, so it will be a good little first step for him.”
THE FORCE’S TALE OF WOE IN SEASON OPENERS
*2006 – Lost 25-10 to the Brumbies in Perth
*2007 – Lost 8-7 to the Highlanders in Perth
*2008 – Lost 17-10 to the Sharks in Durban
*2009 – Lost 25-19 to the Blues in Perth
*2010 – Lost 24-15 to the Brumbies in Perth
*2011 – Lost 21-20 to the Reds in Brisbane
*2012 – Lost 19-17 to the Brumbies in Canberra
*2013 – Lost 30-23 to the Rebels in Melbourne
*2014 – Lost 43-21 to the Waratahs in Sydney
*2015 – Can they break the duck against the Waratahs in Sydney?
