2020 Super Rugby Round 4, Western Force v Brumbies, Sat 25 July, Leichhardt Oval 7:15pm AEST

[RugbyReg]

Funny thing - apart from the last couple of posts anyone reading this thread would assume the Force had beaten the Brumbies. It certainly seems to be very hard for some posters to have a good word to say about the Brumbies.

I think it's more people are just very effusive about seeing the Force back playing against the teams. It's not just the Brumbies - has happened basically all the games the Force have played this year.

Interesting suggestion that Valetini was MOM. THought he was very lazy in defense at times. Simone, Powell, TK, Samu, Frost were all stronger shouts I reckon.

 

[Brumby Runner]

I think it's more people are just very effusive about seeing the Force back playing against the teams. It's not just the Brumbies - has happened basically all the games the Force have played this year.

Interesting suggestion that Valetini was MOM. THought he was very lazy in defense at times. Simone, Powell, TK, Samu, Frost were all stronger shouts I reckon.

Reg, a bit like calling a cyclone a small weather event because it's only rated as a Category 4.

 

[KOB1987]

Funny thing - apart from the last couple of posts anyone reading this thread would assume the Force had beaten the Brumbies. It certainly seems to be very hard for some posters to have a good word to say about the Brumbies.

In a game where the score was 4 tries to nil, and the losing side failed to bother the scoreboard, comments are being made about the likes of Campbell, Maddocks, DHP, JOC (James O'Connor), Harrison. Never saw any one of them out there tonight, and to be truthful, few of them have been sighted in games they have played.

Is it really too hard for some to acknowledge the quality of the Brumbies players and the team as a whole?

One more comment from me about Sio. I did highlight earlier his inclination to pull down on the opposite THP causing scrums to collapse. He either has an anatomical issue that makes his left elbow bend, or it is a move he cannot get out of his game. I reckon the solution might be to convert him to the TH side. He is strong enough to hold the scrum up, and his open field play is getting back to the levels he was at a couple of years ago. I notice Sword of Justice commented that Sio and Slipper were alternating in the TH spot, but I didn't personally notice it. Slipper had played a game or two in the TH spot earlier this year when Ala'alatoa was out.

Thought the debutants Keunzle and Frost had excellent games. Joe Powell again had a wow of a match, which won't be acknowledged by many here. His box kicking has developed into the most accurate and challenging of all the Aussie No 9s. And who can fault his vision and support running after the first two tries tonight?

Rob Valetini again MOTM for me.

What Reg said.

Those players were mentioned in the context that Banks has been very quiet of late, including last night and therefore was entirely relevant to this thread considering he has been anointed by many as the heir apparent to the Wallabies 15 jersey.

As for your other point, I thought the Brumbies as a whole were outstanding last night and several other players certainly did put their hand up for a gold jersey.

 

[TSR]

Funny thing - apart from the last couple of posts anyone reading this thread would assume the Force had beaten the Brumbies. It certainly seems to be very hard for some posters to have a good word to say about the Brumbies.

In a game where the score was 4 tries to nil, and the losing side failed to bother the scoreboard, comments are being made about the likes of Campbell, Maddocks, DHP, JOC (James O'Connor), Harrison. Never saw any one of them out there tonight, and to be truthful, few of them have been sighted in games they have played.

Is it really too hard for some to acknowledge the quality of the Brumbies players and the team as a whole?

One more comment from me about Sio. I did highlight earlier his inclination to pull down on the opposite THP causing scrums to collapse. He either has an anatomical issue that makes his left elbow bend, or it is a move he cannot get out of his game. I reckon the solution might be to convert him to the TH side. He is strong enough to hold the scrum up, and his open field play is getting back to the levels he was at a couple of years ago. I notice Sword of Justice commented that Sio and Slipper were alternating in the TH spot, but I didn't personally notice it. Slipper had played a game or two in the TH spot earlier this year when Ala'alatoa was out.

Thought the debutants Keunzle and Frost had excellent games. Joe Powell again had a wow of a match, which won't be acknowledged by many here. His box kicking has developed into the most accurate and challenging of all the Aussie No 9s. And who can fault his vision and support running after the first two tries tonight?

Rob Valetini again MOTM for me.

I’m lost on the Valetini thing and I think you’re being over-sensistive about the
rest. Brumbies get (and deserve) plenty of praise. But it doesn’t mean every player is a Wallaby shoe in or immune to scrutiny/comparison. They are are very good team where almost every player is in line for Wallaby consideration, but the competition for a lot of the spots is spread across the other 4 teams. The Brumbies are also the most cohesive of the Australian teams and the coaching staff are doing a great job.

I thought Simone & Samu were outstanding. Number 12 is becoming a real position of depth for Australia (I’m considering O’Connor & To'omua as still being best at 12). Joe Powell was very good and Tom Wright as well. Kuenzle did very well in his first start. Edit : plus TK. Very solid & lots of good stuff off the ball.

 

[Rugbynutter39]

I think it's more people are just very effusive about seeing the Force back playing against the teams. It's not just the Brumbies - has happened basically all the games the Force have played this year.

Interesting suggestion that Valetini was MOM. THought he was very lazy in defense at times. Simone, Powell, TK, Samu, Frost were all stronger shouts I reckon.

"I think it's more people are just very effusive about seeing the Force back playing against the teams"

I would tend to agree and i think some WA rugby fans can get caught up in the past and this east coast conspiracy thing and are blind to how much support we are seeing for the Force for their involvement in this competition and what they bring to it- and moreso proving having Force back is right thing and good thing for Australian pro rugby for all concerned (including WA rugby and its supporters).

 

[Rugbynutter39]

Tom Wright is electric.

Some wingers between he, Daugunu, and Koroibete.

Wright vs Daugunu for vacant wing position - Koroibete a 100% lock on the other wing position of course.

 

[Forcefield]

I liked that the game wasn't a snorefest despite the scoreline being pretty one sided. The last few weekx have shown both teams ard fairly well-coached, but the Brumbies are just that bit more cohesive and have better cattle. Passion will only get you so far.

I worry that without bringing back a big chunk of overseas-based players (and we don't have the money for that), if we enter 5 Aus teams vs 5 NZ teams the majority of clashes will be like this game. I wonder if it isn't worth persisting with GRR with a view to the Force rejoining a few years down the track if the Super Rugby competition expands

 

[Boof1050]

"I think it's more people are just very effusive about seeing the Force back playing against the teams"

I would tend to agree and i think some WA rugby fans can get caught up in the past and this east coast conspiracy thing and are blind to how much support we are seeing for the Force for their involvement in this competition and what they bring to it- and moreso proving having Force back is right thing and good thing for Australian pro rugby for all concerned (including WA rugby and its supporters).

Totally agree Nutter.
I'm prepared to give the new RA administration a go, hopefully a new positive era, great for ALL of australian rugby!!
Must say both backrows were fantastic last night. Pete Samu enormous, Great to see Will Miller get a start and prove his worth(best thing he did leaving the Tahs). Ferris was immense as well.

 

[Rugbynutter39]

Totally agree Nutter.
I'm prepared to give the new RA administration a go, hopefully a new positive era, great for ALL of australian rugby!!
Must say both backrows were fantastic last night. Pete Samu enormous, Great to see Will Miller get a start and prove his worth(best thing he did leaving the Tahs). Ferris was immense as well.

Yeh agree on Miller best move leaving for Brumbies as always otherwise going to be behind Hooper getting limited minutes.

Need to also move some of the Brumbies 10's onto other franchises - as BK looks ready for starting super rugby role as does Noah. Force or Reds could be destination for BK maybe. I also think Lockey McCaffrey needs to go to another oz franchise to get starting gig as thought he was bloody good when came on and should be looking to play somewhere where can get regularly starting gig.

 

[Boof1050]

I've always rated McCaffrey, looks like a player that can certainly play whats in front of him much like Liam Wright. Mate that Kuenzle looks the goods as well.
But most importantly how was the old stomping ground Leichardt Oval? I remember going there as a kid to watch the AMCO cup league games and Balmain.

 

[Rugbynutter39]

I've always rated McCaffrey, looks like a player that can certainly play whats in front of him much like Liam Wright. Mate that Kuenzle looks the goods as well.
But most importantly how was the old stomping ground Leichardt Oval? I remember going there as a kid to watch the AMCO cup league games and Balmain.

Yeh Leichardt oval just up the road for me so always taken opportunity to go to games there when played (which been NRC games, Wallaby trial games of probables vs possibles, Tahs Trials games and now Super Rugby Au games). I will probably also go to the Rebels vs Force game at leichardt next Friday as close to the action and more casual way to watch rugby by grabbling a beer or snack and just the fact it is 5 minutes from my house makes it so accessible.

 

[TSR]

I liked that the game wasn't a snorefest despite the scoreline being pretty one sided. The last few weekx have shown both teams ard fairly well-coached, but the Brumbies are just that bit more cohesive and have better cattle. Passion will only get you so far.

I agree. I thought it was a really good game to watch.

I think the last two weeks have been very big ticks for the Brumbies team.

Last week the were well below their best, but were still able to play some good passages and had the composure at the end to get the game won.

This week they played a very solid opposition and yet were comfortable winners in the end.

Both weeks they got very good input from the bench.

 

[Brumby Runner]

What Reg said.

Those players were mentioned in the context that Banks has been very quiet of late, including last night and therefore was entirely relevant to this thread considering he has been anointed by many as the heir apparent to the Wallabies 15 jersey.

As for your other point, I thought the Brumbies as a whole were outstanding last night and several other players certainly did put their hand up for a gold jersey.

KOB, I appreciate that Banks has not been scorching oppositions lately but,apart from one penalty that missed touch, did he do anything wrong last night? Very sound under the high ball. Still prefers to run the ball back but has a huge clearing kick when needed. Don't remember any defensive lapses either. Reckon he makes as many metres in contact as DHP. Think he's still the frontrunner for Wallabies at 15.

 

[Rugbynutter39]

BR the fact Banks "did not do anything wrong" is hardly inspiring as our first choice FB. I just recall any game where we have thought Banks is MOTM material ie at best fleeting glimpses of talent in a match but not sure I have seen the whole 80 min performance that saids to me he must be Wallaby Fullback.

All the pundits generally believe he should be our starting Fullback but just not completely convinced he is the real deal. Hopefully he proves he can be.

 

[KOB1987]

Incumbency does count for something and I just feel that DHP has been solid enough, and the other options including Banks not spectacular enough, for him to be dislodged from his spot. At this stage anyway, there are still 5 games to go, at least 6 for The Brumbies.

 

[Brumby Jack]

^ Banks has been ok but did miss a chunk of the off -season with a foot injury so he's slowly working his way back in.

The one good thing to see is that there is healthy competition for spots in the back 3 and that can only be a good thing for the Wallabies in the long run.

 

[molman]

Hmm.. I actually thought most of the thread before your post was about Kayo not working for a lot of people. Also, as Reg said, likely there were some more comments around the Force players as this (comp) has been our first chance to see how they fair at this level, against the known players from the other franchises.

KOB, I appreciate that Banks has not been scorching oppositions lately but,apart from one penalty that missed touch, did he do anything wrong last night? Very sound under the high ball. Still prefers to run the ball back but has a huge clearing kick when needed. Don't remember any defensive lapses either. Reckon he makes as many metres in contact as DHP. Think he's still the frontrunner for Wallabies at 15.

My comment (can't speak for the others) was a reflection of pre-COVID Banks to Super Rugby AU Banks and the fact that he hasn't inserted himself in the same manner. He was making a reasonable number of line-breaks before, at least one a game, running some really nice lines. I haven't see this aspect of his play in this or his earlier games. He looks a little lethargic compare to what I recall of him earlier in the year.



DHP is different in that he generally makes more meters per run on averages and makes more tackle busts having the ability to actually make some more ground when he runs the ball back and is generally is less likely to conceed a turnver. DHP also kicks significantly more than Banks, particularly earlier this year, though you could debate how effectively. He (DHP) also tends to get more involved defensively, making more tackles, but he also misses a few too.


Both are reasonably secure under the high ball, though I suspect that DHP is a little better both in aggregate stats and on the field.


They are both good players with different virtues and positve qualities.


The discussion drifted to players like DHP, JOC (James O'Connor) etc.. for the very reason KOB mentioned. We were reflecting on Bank's form and the Wallabies 15. Just chewing the fat about Wallabies prospects. I'm not sure Banks atm is demanding the spot in the manner you could argue he looked to be earlier in the year.

I thought the players who really put their hands up for Gold consideration from that game in particular were Wright and Powell. I thought the later had a really good game.

 

[Brumbieman]

Beat me to it BJ - was going to point out Banks was coming back from stress fractures, so he's hardly been doing a lot of running.
A few weeks and a couple of games and he'll be back on form

 

[Brumby Jack]

^ Peter Hewat said last night that Banks has added a bit more weight to his upper body when he wasnt able to get out and run