Former All Blacks lock Jeremy Thrush will be the fresh and incendiary figure thrown at the NSW Waratahs to disrupt their pack on Sunday afternoon in Sydney.
Western Force coach Tim Sampson made it clear that Thrush offered far more than a lineout target, grunt in the forwards and experience for his return at Leichhardt Oval.
“Our physicality was probably a little disappointing (in the loss) against the Reds last week. We know Jeremy likes to get stuck into the thick of it and he takes other guys with him,” Sampson said.
The 1.98m Thrush and his distinctive mo are ready for their first start of 2022 after getting over a niggling calf problem.
Thrush’s knack last year for a big tackle, a rumble from the lineout and just messing with the peace of the opposition was significant to go with all the basics he does so well.
He's an accomplished All Black of 11 Tests who plays much younger than his 36 years. Sampson is delighted he can unite all his big bodies in the pack with Thrush and Izack Rodda as locks and in-form Fergus Lee-Warner at blindside flanker.
No other Australia side fields a tight five with Test experience in every position. In the front-row, Tom Robertson, captain Felei Kaitu’u and Argentinian Santiago Medrano have the punch to cause the Waratahs scrum some problems.
The importance of Sunday’s match can’t be overstated.
With eight of the 13 teams in Super Rugby Pacific making the finals, it’s not being presumptuous to suggest five Kiwi teams, the 3-0 Reds and 3-0 Brumbies are in the box seat for seven of the spots.
That may well pitch the 1-2 Waratahs and 1-2 Force into conflict for a single spot by late May.
Sampson respects the progress made by the Waratahs after their winless 2021.
“They are a team playing with a lot confidence. Jake Gordon has been immense for them and the pack has been really good through the middle of the field,” Sampson said.
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Sampson is backing Issak Fines-Leleiwasa and young ReesjanPasitoa to keep building their partnership in the halves.
“They are excitement machines but, first and foremost, they must control the game and adjust as the game progresses,” Sampson said as a former flyhalf.
Cranking up the line speed that dropped off against the Reds will also be important to put pressure back on Izaia Perese and the Waratahs backs.
The Waratahs will definitely feel the same way about the importance of the match.
