He has no problem tackling anyone.
Force v Reds, Round 3 HBF Park, Perth 7:35pm
- Thread starter Dctarget
- Start date
JRugby2
Ron Walden (29)
You know what, I think you’re onto something here
LeCheese
Peter Sullivan (51)
Ehhh he did well last week - Moana Pasifika aren’t exactly known for their soft carries.
Strewthcobber
David Codey (61)
As I recall in the first game last year the Force back row went very hard at the Reds breakdown, while the Red's back row were paying a bit too much attention to their ball running roles, and not enough on securing the ball. Was this the game that Harry Wilson dropped the kickoff twice as well?
They obviously addressed this, and then some in the second game with a Ryan hatrick and the Red's back row getting 3 of their own
Will be interesting to see the tactics play out.
They obviously addressed this, and then some in the second game with a Ryan hatrick and the Red's back row getting 3 of their own
Will be interesting to see the tactics play out.
The_Brown_Hornet
John Eales (66)
No you don't. Reds clearly favourites!
Nuh-ah, I can read. Better locks, better halves, and better back three. Force clear favourites.
Adam84
John Eales (66)
Heremia Murray is an interesting one, he played well versus Bristol but that was on the wing, and most of his ITM Cup appearances were on wing also.
Anderson offers a bit more staunch in defence and might be used as a bit more of a crash ball player to get across the advantage line now that Paisami is gone, not that he was very effective in that role last week but he at least carried strong.
The Ghost of Raelene
Michael Lynagh (62)
Do they?
Just had a squiz over the last 5 match ups and its 4/1 to the Reds with the Reds having scored 221 points to the Force 106. I know theres been coahing changes and personnel but other than the 40 v 31 win to the Force last year in Rd 5 it's pretty one way traffic ending with a spanking 59 v 13 in rd 14.
Wilson
Rod McCall (65)
Yeah, the Reds biggest issue with the Force in recent times (since their readmission) has been not taking them seriously on occasion, usually when heading to Perth. Last years trip and 2021's trip when we had the comp sewn up are both times where we came in cruising and got caught unawares as a result. The flow on from this is usually a couple of demolition jobs in the return fixtures, with the Reds making no mistake about it. Reds have also done better off poor preparation for these games - the 2022 game coming in off flooding all week in Brisbane is a perfect example. The team was absolutely on song that night despite a very interrupt lead up and O'Connor effectively ended Kyle Godwin's wallaby aspirations.
Given last years loss and the way the coaching and playing staff have been stressing the need to improve on those unexpected losses from last year (Moana, Force, Drua), I don't think the team will be switched off for this one, particularly after the Force's win over the Brumbies. None of that is to say I think it'll be a walk over, but I don't expect them to have the same problems as this fixture last year (or that the Brumbies had last weekend).
TSR
Steve Williams (59)
Yeah - maybe I’m over egging the pudding. But the Force have given us a couple of headaches and last year was a classic example.
And it’s 2 v 3 on the table isn’t it? Hopefully it’ll be a cracker.
I'm not sure Ardie Savea is in the same league as Nick Champion de Crespigny.
The Ghost of Raelene
Michael Lynagh (62)
Agree @Wilson . Will be a good test for the Force for the rest of the year now. Not flying under the radar and teams have to bring it for the fixture. You can benefit at times from being a side that others arent as worried about even though they would never admit such a thing.
How good is that part. Australia may never lose again
LeCheese
Peter Sullivan (51)
Wright is expected to be back, LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) is out until I think ~week 8. Others not due for another couple of weeks I don't think. Henry would've been handy to have this week.
Wilson
Rod McCall (65)
Wright is expected to be available but may return via the development side, Salakaia-Loto won't be back till at least round 6 or 7.
Dctarget
David Wilson (68)
Week 8, fk me. There's half the season. JTA (Jeffery Toomaga-Allen), Gibbon, Hodgman?
The Ghost of Raelene
Michael Lynagh (62)
I feel like Wright coming back into a derby game is just a recipe for another 10 weeks out for that guy. Shame Club Rugby hasn't started yet and he could be given good minutes and ramp up the intensity and confidence in the body. I worry about guys that have had so many back to back injuries and then the lack of confidence and what it can contribute to other injuries when your'e just not as sure.
Gibbon, JTA (Jeffery Toomaga-Allen) and Hodgman will have the biggest impact when back. Having such depth in the front row is unreal. LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) is good but the Reds have the luxury of a guy like Uru who seems more physical these days and then the likes of Brial and Bryant around to fill out a bit of that role even though they aren't Locks.
Gibbon, JTA (Jeffery Toomaga-Allen) and Hodgman will have the biggest impact when back. Having such depth in the front row is unreal. LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) is good but the Reds have the luxury of a guy like Uru who seems more physical these days and then the likes of Brial and Bryant around to fill out a bit of that role even though they aren't Locks.
I heard that the Reds Academy is playing a prem team this weekend (they played wests last weekend). He could have a trundle there. But honestly if he's medical right to go then he's right to go. It would just be fitness that's an issue, but he can do a job off the bench for either Fraser or Uru IMO.
Ignoto
Peter Sullivan (51)
Week 8 probably isn't right, I thought I saw it was week 6 which lines up as 8 weeks post break.
JTA (Jeffery Toomaga-Allen) I thought was after round 4? Haven't heard any peep out of Gibbon or Hodgman.