Super Rugby R4 2025: Waratahs v Force @ SFS, Saturday 8 March
- Thread starter Braveheart81
- Start date
Yep. It's bizarre.
The Tahs weren't great but I think it was comfortably their best performance for the year mostly because they did a better job converting their attacking chances.
The Force produced the worst performance out of the three games that the Waratahs have played and that contributed to the lopsided result. I think you have to give the Tahs forwards some credit for their physicality. The Force couldn't get their short passing game going and kept dropping the ball.
The Ghost of Raelene
Michael Lynagh (62)
Nic White also reverted to being just a dummy half this match. He seemed back to a bit of form to start the year. Kicking game was good but he poses no threat at the base. Teams can pressure Donaldson if you don't have to worry about White.
BDA
Jim Lenehan (48)
A few things from this game that stood out:-
1. O'Donnell was a machine. He's definitely got my attention now.
2. Tupou looks badly out of form. IMO it's quite obviously it's a direct result of his poor fitness. Hands on hips 10 minutes in, rushing out of the line to make a hit and missing completely, ineffective at the ruck. doing very little to assist in defence and attack and just seagulls. dropping the pill in contact - all telltale signs of him just being knackered from minute one. The coaches really need to get him to improve his fitness immediately.
3. Best performance from a Tahs side in years IMO. Leap years ahead of their first two outings.
1. O'Donnell was a machine. He's definitely got my attention now.
2. Tupou looks badly out of form. IMO it's quite obviously it's a direct result of his poor fitness. Hands on hips 10 minutes in, rushing out of the line to make a hit and missing completely, ineffective at the ruck. doing very little to assist in defence and attack and just seagulls. dropping the pill in contact - all telltale signs of him just being knackered from minute one. The coaches really need to get him to improve his fitness immediately.
3. Best performance from a Tahs side in years IMO. Leap years ahead of their first two outings.
The Ghost of Raelene
Michael Lynagh (62)
2. Tupou looks like a guy semi phoning it in. When are we going to hear an announcement about an overseas contract?
He's routinely getting creased when he runs the ball too. Whether from a pass or a pick and go there's nowhere near the explosiveness he had previously.
The Ghost of Raelene
Michael Lynagh (62)
Will a game at Suncorp fire him up? I hope so and reckon the competitor in him has to.
The Ghost of Raelene
Michael Lynagh (62)
Got that look doesn't he. Big, strong carrier who makes the guys around him better. He had a couple moments v the Drua in defence but who doesn't and was his Tahs debut. Other than that he's a gun out there.
Even though it seems a position of depth I said i the pre season I though he and Ropata will push their way into the game day squad by the end of the year. hard to drop Henry the way he's going when JAS is available and Foketi back. Walton also stepped up for what seemed like his best game I can remember. Those 2 outplayed their centre counterparts. Stewart made one good line break but other than that not much.
Even though it seems a position of depth I said i the pre season I though he and Ropata will push their way into the game day squad by the end of the year. hard to drop Henry the way he's going when JAS is available and Foketi back. Walton also stepped up for what seemed like his best game I can remember. Those 2 outplayed their centre counterparts. Stewart made one good line break but other than that not much.
The Ghost of Raelene
Michael Lynagh (62)
I think and hope Lancaster does. Only 21 so he will get better. Pietsch was 25 before he seems to have really clicked. Yes he had time in the 7s...
Walton is what he is and his performance was strong on the weekend. If it keeps up it he'll make it hard for Foketi which is a good thing.
Walton is what he is and his performance was strong on the weekend. If it keeps up it he'll make it hard for Foketi which is a good thing.
I'm not convinced.
The backline was fine but largely I think the Force played pretty poorly.
Creighton was fine but assuming that Edmed did lose the starting job due to illness I'd be reinstating him. Creighton threw a long pass for the first try to Jorgensen but the pass left Max with a lot of work to do to score.
The second and third tries he had no involvement.
The fourth try to Lancaster he was involved but not pivotal to the try.
I don't think Edmed did anything amazing when he got on but was fine.
The main issue to me is that Creighton's goal kicking was pretty poor which has been something Edmed has done well this season.
I guess takeaway is that if Edmed was genuinely dropped then you would persist with Creighton. If the decision was based around Edmed being sick and missing key sessions last week then I don't see any reason not to reinstate him in the starting jersey.
The backline was fine but largely I think the Force played pretty poorly.
Creighton was fine but assuming that Edmed did lose the starting job due to illness I'd be reinstating him. Creighton threw a long pass for the first try to Jorgensen but the pass left Max with a lot of work to do to score.
The second and third tries he had no involvement.
The fourth try to Lancaster he was involved but not pivotal to the try.
I don't think Edmed did anything amazing when he got on but was fine.
The main issue to me is that Creighton's goal kicking was pretty poor which has been something Edmed has done well this season.
I guess takeaway is that if Edmed was genuinely dropped then you would persist with Creighton. If the decision was based around Edmed being sick and missing key sessions last week then I don't see any reason not to reinstate him in the starting jersey.
The Ghost of Raelene
Michael Lynagh (62)
Not sure Tane is a 12. The second play maker style rarely works and you just need a 12 who can threaten the line but has a decent pass on them. Don't think the Tahs would improve going back to the Halangahu, Barnes 10, 12 style. If Tane was to slot in anywhere else at a push it could be 15 as he's super fit and a decent defender.
Opens up more conversation about some of these guys should be pushed to play 9 IMO like van Poortvliet in England. Need to get them in their late teens some of these 10s I reckon would be good 9s.
Also I thought the backline looked better due to the back 3 looking threatning and the Force had some poor choices. Donaldson had a poor game on his recent form and Grealy as did grealy. Then both Wingers had scrappy showings and Jorgo made them pay.
A mutterer
Chilla Wilson (44)
Donno didn't look great but then neither did most of the Force backs. Which is fair enough as they were behind forwards who were getting belted in tackles and being pushed backwards.
The Ghost of Raelene
Michael Lynagh (62)
Good point. We've tried to give passes to the Tahs backline for years because the pack has been marched backwards. Surprising but positive sign for the Tahs when going into it you would have said the Force from the Second Row and Backrow have been lauded. Tizzano was still strong but I'd want Dolly back. Good energy guy for them that is an improvement on Horton and been playing better than BPA currently.
Tell you what Syd Uni always wanted to be a Super Rugby side and they originally half 2/3 of the Rebels but now it seems the Force is the spot. 9 in the squad?
Tell you what Syd Uni always wanted to be a Super Rugby side and they originally half 2/3 of the Rebels but now it seems the Force is the spot. 9 in the squad?
Derpus
Phil Waugh (73)
Largely agree although I thought Lawson kicked reasonably well out of hand too. We definitely managed territory better than the Force.
Maulalltheway
Tom Lawton (22)
if you want a crab at 12 this will work....