I'm looking out the hotel window at the same building I was the last time I was here. New buildings in the distance reflect the opulent and progressive times that have pervaded here in the west in the last few years. But having said that I am in the same hotel, same floor, same room as before and perhaps there is a message in this.

Adam Freier comments to me at breakfast, which we are eating at 6am due to the time zone changes, that it seems as if it were yesterday that he sat in the same place, at the same time, eating the same food and he probably was talking to me as well.

He reckons he can visualise like it was yesterday. It was actually two years prior that he was eating his three pieces of soy toast with jam but it does indicate how time moves on but the moments remain the same.

Tonight's game is another of those moments that occur. As I write this moment takes on supreme importance in the lives of both squads because the game has many layers of significance.

Progressing in the competition is foremost, generating momentum and confidence is another.

Bragging rights are on offer momentarily, we have to wait until season's end to sign that one off for sure.

Wallaby spots are also up at the end of the competition, this game will only add to the weight of positive or negative evidence for Test inclusion. It will not be the sole reason as I've suggested before about local derbies not being selection trials.

So the key outcomes revolve around competition and momentum. Both of us are level pegging but the Tahs have a game up their sleeve with the Force yet to have the bye.

Momentum is required by both teams so a repeat of last year's 16-all draw would not suit either of us.

John Mitchell has already tried to claim the "outcasts and black sheep" of Australian rugby tag. Us against the east coast. Despite the grab for underdog status they remain the bookies favourite if only just.

So what is going to stop deja vu and the Waratahs repeating 2006 all over again?

The Force have some very good players, particularly in attack. They run and pass more than any other team in the competition. They make more linebreaks and get across the advantage line more often. For all this colour and movement they are sixth on the try scoring list and sixth on the total score list. In other words they haven't been able to convert their good lead up work.

The Waratahs are less impressive statistically but more effective at converting into points. The Waratahs sit fifth on try and point scoring.

In the defence stakes both teams are at the top of the tackling statistics in terms of percentage success yet the Tahs have had to make more tackles than anyone else and the Force have had to make the least.

The potential impact of these numbers on fatigue and work rate is very interesting. Shifting the percentage here either way could have a big bearing on the outcome of the match. I can feel some tactics coming on.

There's not much in it so experience will count. Funnily the Waratahs will field the experienced pack and the Force the experience backline so there are some more clues here to investigate.

Matt Giteau is clearly a key player for the Force and we have taken note. But we've haven't ignored the rest of the team because to do so invites disaster.

This is a big game for so many reasons and I'm pretty excited to see it unfold.

But enough of the speculation. There will be a winner tonight and that makes the game anything but routine.