Brumbies v Force Rd2 Saturday 22 February GIO Stadium, Canberra 7:35pm

[Sword of Justice]

I think the force could surprise more than a few teams this year. Whoever is in charge of their list has added a lot of experience. Even the young guys have good experience behind them such as Grealy and Potter.

 

[TSR]

They have a really good roster, right. If they have a bit of luck with injury, there is no reason to think they can’t go well but I think a lot of us are reluctant to expect too much until we see them string a few good performances together back to back and until they play a Kiwi team or two (I feel the same about the Reds & Tahs though).

Losing Hoopert & HJH (Harry Johnson-Holmes) before a shot was fired is a pretty big blow and I think their scrum may still prove to be an Achilles heel along with depth, but their best 23 is a strong team.

 

[Mr Pilfer]

Force could have easily been 0-2 and then being a pretty short season and only top 6 you are pretty much season over, but now they have a sniff and a lot of confidence let’s see what happens. Agree though need no more injuries.

The returning wallabies for the Brumbies were a bit rusty but they really miss Valetini just for those carries over the advantage line.

 

[Sword of Justice]

I’m on the road so only got to see the mini match (which was only the tries given it was such a high scoring game). What happened at set piece?

 

[griffins]

Force could have easily been 0-2 and then being a pretty short season and only top 6 you are pretty much season over, but now they have a sniff and a lot of confidence let’s see what happens. Agree though need no more injuries.

The returning wallabies for the Brumbies were a bit rusty but they really miss Valetini just for those carries over the advantage line.

Hooper was actually doing a pretty good job before the KO. Aside from the hookers they lacked punch when he went off.

 

[Silverado]

Are the Brums still the better team on paper?

Like the quote goes, unfortunately they played them on grass

 

[cyclopath]

I think they still are. I don’t think we should get too carried away with the loss. Most of their best plays didn’t play any trial games which has to make a difference. As Adam said above I suspect Larkham’s strategy will pay off in the longer run. But the risk is that in a comp where it is such a sprint dropping a game at home that you were favoured to win can cost a home semi or final.

I think we just give credit where it is due - the Force put pressure on all over the field and we’re good enough to get the win.

Still - the beauty of sport is that you get to dust yourself off and try again next week. None of the Brumbies players suddenly became mugs and, if anything, maybe this will serve to give them a bit of a kick along.

Agree with this take. Brumbies are a very good team and squad. The Force were exceptional in closing that out, but I reckon if that game played out 10 times, the Brumbies would probably win it more often than not. That's no slight on the Force, by the way. Both are good teams.

 

[Purce]

I haven't managed to catch the game yet however I'm interested to hear how Meredith went at 10?

 

[Thalium]

I haven't managed to catch the game yet however I'm interested to hear how Meredith went at 10?

Not great. Shows signs of promise but needs time in the saddle.

 

[Derpus]

I haven't managed to catch the game yet however I'm interested to hear how Meredith went at 10?

Didnt really see why BR rates the kid so highly but seemed solid enough. Didnt see to play first receiver much with Wright often stepping in.

 

[Yoda]

Are the Brums still the better team on paper?

Ha… poor old Brumby Runner is MIA. He’s still checking the team ‘on paper’ in the program and wondering how they lost!

 

[Yoda]

Agree with this take. Brumbies are a very good team and squad. The Force were exceptional in closing that out, but I reckon if that game played out 10 times, the Brumbies would probably win it more often than not. That's no slight on the Force, by the way. Both are good teams.

Maybe, but you sound a little like Tim Horan last night when he said to Cron, “Do you think teams will take you seriously now that you have won away from home”… let’s see how the Brumbies respond with their two away Kiwi games…

 

[Thalium]

Maybe, but you sound a little like Tim Horan last night when he said to Cron, “Do you think teams will take you seriously now that you have won away from home”… let’s see how the Brumbies respond with their two away Kiwi games…

Horan comment there was terrible he also asked Pietsch the same thing.

 

[Yoda]

Horan comment there was terrible he also asked Pietsch the same thing.

As I’ve said for a while, just because you were a great player doesn’t mean you will be a great commentator. He’s far too biased and comes out with ridiculous statements. He’s had a good run. Move him on.

 

[Heavyd]

Let’s hope the people of Perth get around the Force next week and turn up in good numbers to reward their players efforts.

 

[cyclopath]

Maybe, but you sound a little like Tim Horan last night when he said to Cron, “Do you think teams will take you seriously now that you have won away from home”… let’s see how the Brumbies respond with their two away Kiwi games…

That was not at all what I was saying.

 

[Equalizer]

I stand by my bad takes. Cmon though it was looking like one with that start.

There was always going to be a comeback, especially from the Brumbies who have been Australia's most consistently good Super team. I prefer to focus on how.composed the Force were to stay on task.....even,.....EVEN....after 4 yellow cards, including playing with 13 men and still getting the job done and scoring the winning try. Time for a little respect instead of the usual tripe like 'the Force survive etc'. They survived nothing. They came out hit the game hard, overcome the adversity and pushed on to win. Nothing gifted to them. They came out and took that W! GO You Force!

 

[Yoda]

There was always going to be a comeback, especially from the Brumbies who have been Australia's most consistently good Super team. I prefer to focus on how.composed the Force were to stay on task.....even,.....EVEN....after 4 yellow cards, including playing with 13 men and still getting the job done and scoring the winning try. Time for a little respect instead of the usual tripe like 'the Force survive etc'. They survived nothing. They came out hit the game hard, overcome the adversity and pushed on to win. Nothing gifted to them. They came out and took that W! GO You Force!

Yep.

 

[dru]

I’m on the road so only got to see the mini match (which was only the tries given it was such a high scoring game). What happened at set piece?

Force had the lineout, no doubt for me.

Still the Brumbies scrum was easily superior - BUT the Force stayed square and kept winning their own ball even if getting pushed back. And then at the end, with (was it) Pietsch packing on the side they overturned a Brumby feed and that let the Force close the game out. If you are a Force fan, get hold of the clip and leave it playing on your PC on repeat. For ever.

 

[Happy]

The Force played well and deserved the win. The Brumbies were poor in the line out, kick off receipt and game management. The only positive is that they scored 6 tries and blew another 3. They only lost by a penalty kick at the end. Defence for both sides was not great.

I believe the Force are the first team in Super Rugby to win 2 in a row while conceding over 40 points both games. They need to tighten that up if they are to continue winning as they aren’t going to score 6 tries every game.