Two sides determined to avoid the wooden spoon in the Super Rugby Pacific this season go head-to-head on Saturday, as the Western Force host the NSW Waratahs in Perth.
It's the Waratahs who head into Round 13 of the campaign rock bottom of the table, while the Force are only three points better off after picking up an extra win.
Two teams determined to creep their way into the top eight this season, precious points and bragging rights are on the line as these two Aussie sides go head-to-head at HBF Park.
. What: Western Force v Waratahs
. Where: HBF Park, Perth
. When: 19:35 (AEST), Saturday 18th May 2024
. How to watch: Stan Sports
. Odds: Western Force 1.78, Waratahs 2.05
Force can build after downing Drua
Last week's clash at HBF Park between the Force and Fijian Drua was really a must-win game for the hosts and they duly delivered on their own patch.
Drua are notoriously poor travellers considering their stronger performances at Churchill Park this season and the Force breezed to a 48-10 victory in Round 12.
Now head coach Simon Cron and his troops will be determined to claim another win on home soil this weekend, one that could take the Force above Drua into the top eight if the Reds do their fellow Aussies a favour.
It would be a massive step forward for a Force side that were struggling at the bottom of the table just over a week ago.
Saturday will provide different challenges to those Drua posed and the Force will have to produce a strong performance to overcome a Tahs side that have had the better of this fixture of late.
Force are the slight favourites at 1.78 for the win, while the 1.91 for the hosts to cover -1 in the Line market shows just how close Saturday's contest could prove to be.
Tahs must get back in the saddle
After a 29-21 defeat on home soil against the ACT Brumbies last time out, the Waratahs will be desperate to get back to winning ways against fellow Aussie opposition.
The Tahs have a good record in this fixture, winning all of their last three matches in Super Rugby Pacific against the Western Force.
If the visitors do manage to claim the win in Perth on Saturday, a fourth consecutive win would equal the Waratahs' longest winning run against the Force in the history of this competition.
The Force have the Wallabies duo of Nic White and Ben Donaldson starting in the halfbacks, while former Waratahs star Kurtley Beale lines up against his old club at fullback.
There is quality and experience in this Tahs side and 2.05 looks to be good value for an away victory here.
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