Bulls V Force RD 3

[qwerty51]

Elsom

 

[kiap]

I agree that something must be changed in the locks and centres and that Ebersohn must be given a chance (at least for being Force best kicker) but:
- Ma'afu in only if he's really fit
- Alcock should be in the starting XV
- could Tupou be replaced by Christie at fullback?
- Charles wasn't very precise in feeding the lineout lately

I also agree that Rasolea will hardly be worse than Stanley at 13, but still wonder what is Force best combination of centres.

p.s. is there any official explanation why Tuatara-Morrison did not even get a plane ticket to South Africa? Yes the Force signed him to play matches like the one in Pretoria next week.

Yeah, think everyone's asking the same sort of questions. I'd like to see Alcock get more time at 7. Foley might eventually do that, but probably not this week.

When fit and motivated, Ma'afu is still the best scrummager and he should be put to use. Not saying he should start every game but he'll be needed against the likes of the Bulls. It's incumbent on Foley to keep Ma'afu in the mix and with some incentive regardless of whether he's leaving at the end of the season.

Charles's throwing was bad but I think he'll stay off the pine due to lack of depth. Force need to tighten up the lineout this week; cut down the long throws if they are not working.

Christie thrown into the 15 jersey against the Bulls mid-tour? I'd say no. It wouldn't do him too many favours this week. Stick with the same back three for now.

Stanley will probably also get a reprieve for this week. But the Force have a bye next week and should be using that time to make some changes and solidify them. CTM ..... who knows? ..... he looked good in the trials and should be given a shot.

 

[GaffaCHinO]

this is the backline that needs to start

9 Alby
10 Sias
11 Tupou
12 Kyle
13 Honeybadger
14 Junior
15 Alfie

 

[Forcefield]

I quite like Stanley. Thought his touches against the Kings were good. Thought his kicking was good.

 

[ChargerWA]

Pics I saw of Ma'afu pre-season he looked fitter than ever. But i'm still not a fan.

Gaffachino's backline will do me with Alcock into 7 and Hodgo to 6.

 

[Moono75]

Stanley is right up there in the competition for try assists and linebreak assists. Gotta give these guys time to play together and get the combinations cemented. Charles needs to settle as he is first in turnovers (9) and second in missed tackles tackles (8) after two games.

 

[Blue]

VODACOM BULLS: Zane Kirchner, Sampie Mastriet, Lionel Mapoe, Wynand Olivier, Bjorn Basson, Morne Steyn, Francois Hougaard, Pierre Spies, Jacques Potgieter, Arno Botha, Juandre Kruger, Flip vd Merwe, Werner Kruger, Chiliboy Ralepelle, Morne Mellet.
Replacements: Willie Wepener, Frik Kirsten, Grant Hattingh, Jean Cook, Jano Vermaak, Louis Fouche, Jan Serfontein

Mastriet was good in Currie Cup and finally gets his chance.
Mapoe is on loan from the Lions. Very good on attack but not flash on defense.
Arno Botha - my favourite young forward at the Bulls. He could lock down a spot soon. Lots of similarity between him and Ed Quirk. Similar kind of player. Immensely strong human being.
Jan Serfontein is an out and out 13. IRB Junior player of the year in 2012. Big talent. Should start but typical conservative Bulls approach will see him get little time this year unless he gets on as a sub and shoots the lights out.

 

[thierry dusautoir]

I think it is a matter of horses for courses and you don't go to South Africa and play a forward pack with no one over 6'5. I think the kings game showed us this last week. And although hodgson and Alcock are good players they both can't start against the bulls. They could both finish but I think the force need the biggest pack for the opening exchanges. My starting line up:

1. Cowan
2. Charles
3. Manu
4.lynn
5.mmm
6. Cottrel
7. Alcock
8. Mcalman

With hodgson, wykes and Faulkner come out later

 

[en_force_er]

Admittedly I didn't watch the last 15 against the Kings but why do you guys hate Christie? The bloke's a great smokey and came from nowhere to be an okay Super rugby starter.

On a more relevant note, I think the Force will be much more competitive but still lose this week and get at a respectable scoreline around 12-20.

 

[thierry dusautoir]

Admittedly I didn't watch the last 15 against the Kings but why do you guys hate Christie? The bloke's a great smokey and came from nowhere to be an okay Super rugby starter.

On a more relevant note, I think the Force will be much more competitive but still lose this week and get at a respectable scoreline around 12-20.

It's not hate but I get the feeling that perhaps at super xv level he would be better served at 12 or 15. And it's frustrating as Ebersohn is a proven performer at 10 on the bench

 

[Moono75]

I think it is a matter of horses for courses and you don't go to South Africa and play a forward pack with no one over 6'5. I think the kings game showed us this last week. And although hodgson and Alcock are good players they both can't start against the bulls. They could both finish but I think the force need the biggest pack for the opening exchanges. My starting line up:

1. Cowan
2. Charles
3. Manu
4.lynn
5.mmm
6. Cottrel
7. Alcock
8. Mcalman

With hodgson, wykes and Faulkner come out later

Yes I would agree with that lineup but I guess you mean Maafu at 3 as I don't think Manu travelled to SA. Cottrel has been a reliable lineout option from memory. Only query is if they will play Hodgson as Captain off the bench.

 

[thierry dusautoir]

Pek should start at captain hodgson to take over when he comes on

I wish it was Manu but will settle for maafu

 

[en_force_er]

Is Ebersohn a proven performer? I mean, he was dropped to 3rd in the pecking order at his last franchise.

I have a sneaking suspicion the Force might be realising why he was dropped. Not because he's a terrible player but maybe because he's just not that good.

He's a fringe Super rugby player who would thrive in France, nothing more and nothing less.

 

[Moono75]

Is Ebersohn a proven performer? I mean, he was dropped to 3rd in the pecking order at his last franchise.

I have a sneaking suspicion the Force might be realising why he was dropped. Not because he's a terrible player but maybe because he's just not that good.

He's a fringe Super rugby player who would thrive in France, nothing more and nothing less.

He can't be any worse that David Harvey. Lets wait till he's had a chance to get a few games under his belt before making any definative call. He was a junior Springbok so has some pedigree, plus he can kick and we need that.

 

[tranquility]

Is Ebersohn a proven performer? I mean, he was dropped to 3rd in the pecking order at his last franchise.

I have a sneaking suspicion the Force might be realising why he was dropped. Not because he's a terrible player but maybe because he's just not that good.

He's a fringe Super rugby player who would thrive in France, nothing more and nothing less.

Sias is a fine player. A bloke by the name of Goosen just made life a little difficult for him.

 

[thierry dusautoir]

Is Ebersohn a proven performer? I mean, he was dropped to 3rd in the pecking order at his last franchise.

I have a sneaking suspicion the Force might be realising why he was dropped. Not because he's a terrible player but maybe because he's just not that good.

He's a fringe Super rugby player who would thrive in France, nothing more and nothing less.

I think your very much under rating the player and your facts may be a little off......it wasn't like he was dropped for anybody. He was dropped Johan Goosen who isn't some random slouch but an excellent player who would be welcome as a starter at any SA franchise. When Ebersohn was dropped as most players are he wasn't happy and he had a falling out with the coach; hence his further relegation. He was a proven performer for the cheetahs in both currie cup and super rugby.

Of course he is no Dan Carter but he is very serviceable and gets the job done, which is what the force need.

 

[I like to watch]

Of course he is no Dan Carter but he is very serviceable and gets the job done, which is what the force need.

I think this is a good assessment. He is up to this level,but is no world beater.This being the case, he will have to wait for Christie perform poorly or get injured.
He will definitely get his chance,his supporters just need to be patient.

 

[Braveheart81]

I think this is a good assessment. He is up to this level,but is no world beater.This being the case, he will have to wait for Christie perform poorly or get injured.
He will definitely get his chance,his supporters just need to be patient.

Or show that he is a good goalkicker.

The Force could easily be two from two if they'd had a high success rate with their kicks.

 

[Brisbok]

The thing about Sias is that he appears to be a confidence player. Before Goosen came along, he was the undisputed first choice 10 at the Cheetahs. He started every game that he was available for, he was a 70-75% plus goalkicker and he directed things well for the Cheetahs.

Then Goosen came along late 2011 and Sias was pushed down the pecking order at the Cheetahs and his whole game suffered. He got limited game time and when he did come on he was a shadow of the player he used to be. His goalkicking and decision making were poor. Even when Goosen got injured halfway through last season and Sias got a decent run in the 10 jersey, he could not re-discover his form from previous seasons and he then had to battle it out with the 3rd choice 10 at the Cheetahs for the remainder of the Super Rugby season.

Now this season he sat on the bench for 80 mins against the Rebels, was dropped from the match day squad completely for the Kings game and might potentially get some game time off the bench in the cauldron that is Loftus.

I'm not so sure that in this scenario he will make the immediate impact Force fans are hoping for...

 

[No.8]

Bulls by 15-20