2020 Super Rugby Round 2 - Waratahs v Force

[kiap]

Good matchup, better game than last night. Tahs controlled the field better 2nd half.

 

[WorkingClassRugger]

Force never really in it in the 2nd half. Tahs controlled the play nicely. Much better game than last night. Enjoyed the physicality.

 

[Derpus]

Game of two halves. Force great Tahs awful in the first - vice versa in the second. With a few more recruits i can see the Force regularly challenging the Au teams, if the opportunity presents itself.

Ralston and Stander my picks from the Force. Hooper and Ramm for the Tahs.

 

[molman]

Well done Tahs. Much better second half. Bench made a difference. Lots to work on, but was good to see them work their way back into the game. That try right before half time was key.

 

[qwerty51]

Force were a bit better than I expected. Can see them falling apart later on with little depth.

 

[WorkingClassRugger]

Hunt showed just how momentum building clever kicking and utilising the laws can be.

 

[Derpus]

Will Harris quiet again. Don’t think he’s up to this level of footy just yet.

Yeah he's clearly not at the same level as McRight and Wilson yet. Id probably put Dempsey back in at 8.

 

[qwerty51]

I can’t even fathom where the Tahs would be without Hooper. He does everything. He’s their best defender and best attacker.

 

[Rugbynutter39]

Well that was an enjoyable contest...

Welcome back force - great to have you back

 

[Rugbynutter39]

Hunt showed just how momentum building clever kicking and utilising the laws can be.

Hunt showed his value for smart footballer with nice exploitation of 50/22 rule - expect hunt to start next week.

 

[Dctarget]

Pretty entertaining game. Did I see Simmons lay a decent hit on? It took the Waratahs about 60 minutes to work out they could make serious metres doing the simple stuff which was nice. Great to have the Force back.

 

[qwerty51]

I'd get rid of both Newsome and Walton tbh. Said it last week and it's the same. There's no punch in the centres. Tepai 12. Hunt 13.

Tepai needs game time to learn. Start Dempsey over Harris too.

 

[Brumby Runner]

I have a feeling it's about right, and the Tahs will win comfortably.

My logic (apart from being one-eyed) is that for all their inexperience the Tahs are fielding a settled line-up with match practice. The Force are fielding a new 9-10, will surely be rusty (when was their last game?) and there are a number of new combinations across the park.

I want to see them do well but I have a feeling they will compete for 60 minutes before the Tahs score a few late tries and run away with the game.
.

Close Barb. Tahs got up late, but didn't run away with the game.

I thought Jono Lance was way below par. Tahs' greater experience at this level saw them through.

 

[cyclopath]

I'd get rid of both Newsome and Walton tbh. Said it last week and it's the same. There's no punch in the centres. Tepai 12. Hunt 13.

Tepai needs game time to learn. Start Dempsey over Harris too.

Have to agree with this, especially the changes in the backs. Hunt showed his value, and brought that slightly unhinged, no self-preservation energy. Of course, easier to do when game becomes less structured, but showed the smarts too with those 2 50/22s. Definitely need some more punch in midfield.

 

[Brumby Runner]

Wait I thought we ditched the mark rule???

Not sure if anyone else has answered Wilson, but I understand the mark is not given only where the kick is taken inside the opposition 22m.

 

[molman]

Not sure if anyone else has answered Wilson, but I understand the mark is not given only where the kick is taken inside the opposition 22m.

Yes, that is the new rule as I understand it.

 

[ForceFan]

Good win Tahs.
Never let the Force get out of 2nd gear after half time.

 

[molman]

I'd get rid of both Newsome and Walton tbh. Said it last week and it's the same. There's no punch in the centres. Tepai 12. Hunt 13.

Tepai needs game time to learn. Start Dempsey over Harris too.

I think if Tepai was ready they'd play him. Suspect there are reasons. Agree that Harris has been quiet. That said I don't mind having someone like Dempsey come off the bench. I don't mind Newsome but I'm not sure him and Walton together has the balance needed.

I actually thought Staniforth brought some nice impact off the bench which was nice to see. Hunt obviously had a nice impact too with his disregard for body and smart heads up play.

 

[Up the Guts]

Good to get out to some live rugby. Funny watching blokes sit a couple of seats apart from each other and then pass around a chip packet. The reorientation of the SCG is definitely an improvement. Got the feeling at the ground that the Tahs were going to come over the top at the end even when they were down by 14 in the first half.

Ramm motm at the ground (you could vote multiple times so a few Joeys’ old boys may have got him over the line), he was easily the biggest attacking threat for the Tahs’ backs and someone who has really impressed me. Quite a hoof on him as well.

 

[molman]

Good to get out to some live rugby. Funny watching blokes sit a couple of seats apart from each other and then pass around a chip packet. The reorientation of the SCG is definitely an improvement. Got the feeling at the ground that the Tahs were going to come over the top at the end even when they were down by 14 in the first half.

Ramm motm at the ground (you could vote multiple times so a few Joeys’ old boys may have got him over the line), he was easily the biggest attacking threat for the Tahs’ backs and someone who has really impressed me. Quite a hoof on him as well.

How was the SCG reorientated? (must admit I didn't look that closely at the background stands).


I thought Maddocks had another reasonable game. Be curious how the attacking structures looked live? seemed to be going really deep and wide in that first half.