Force v Blues - 2011R04

[The Mayor of Perth]

(who is the ref?). can the Force find a reliable offensive weapon.

Nathan Pearce, Stuey and Pritchard on the lines, Georgie upstairs.

David Smith, get the ball to him in space. And Shep, who is up there with Rokocoko in the try scoring stakes, is due.

 

[Newb]

Lam might talk a good game, but i haven't seen much out of the blues of late for all of their quality on paper.

 

[Bullrush]

Lam might talk a good game, but i haven't seen much out of the blues of late for all of their quality on paper.

beat the Crusaders in Round 1 and took points away from SA....it's early days but they look better than the Reds, Brumbies and last weeks Tahs.

 

[Lance Free]

2011 Super Rugby – Week 4

Western Force v Blues

Saturday, 12 March 2011 at nib Stadium, Perth

Kick-off: 7.05pm (WA) 9.05 (QLD) 10.05 (NSW/ACT/VIC)

1. Pek Cowan
2. Ben Whittaker
3. Tim Fairbrother
4. Sam Wykes
5. Nathan Sharpe
6. Richard Brown
7. Matt Hodgson
8. Ben McCalman
9. Brett Sheehan
10. James O’Connor
11. David Smith
12. Gene Fairbanks
13. Nick Cummins
14. Alfie Mafi
15. Cameron Shepherd

Reserves

16. Nathan Charles
17. Matt Dunning
18. Tevita Metuisela
19. Jono Jenkins
20. James Stannard
21. Matt Brandon
22. Pat Dellit

Referee: Nathan Pearce
Assistant Ref 1:Stuart Dickinson
Assistant Ref 2:Julian Pritchard
TMO : George Ayoub

 

[Newb]

i'm refering more to the past 2 seasons since he took over. you're right it's too early to judge this season, though they look better.

question is keeping the train on the tracks for the whole season.

 

[RugbyReg]

interesting that it is Brown playing 6 with McCalman at 8.

 

[Bullrush]

i'm refering more to the past 2 seasons since he took over. you're right it's too early to judge this season, though they look better.

question is keeping the train on the tracks for the whole season.

Fair enough...I think it's taken a couple of season for Pat Lam to really instill the culture he wants in the team and get used to the step up from NPC to Super rugby. Looking at what he did with the Auckland NPC team though, I'm confident he's on track this year.

Please God.

 

[Lance Free]

Blues team announced:

1. Tony Woodcock 2. Keven Mealamu 3. Charlie Faumuina 4. Anthony Boric 5. Ali Williams 6. Jerome Kaino 7. Daniel Braid 8. Chris Lowrey 9. Toby Morland 10. Luke McAlister 11. Rene Ranger 12. Benson Stanley 13. Jared Payne 14. Joe Rokocoko 15. Isaia Toeava

Reserves:

16. Tom McCartney 17. John Afoa 18. Kurtis Haiu 19. Luke Braid 20 Alby Mathewson 21. Stephen Brett 22. Sherwin Stowers.

 

[Bullrush]

Blues team announced:

Isaia Toeava, Joe Rokocoko, Jared Payne, Benson Stanley, Rene Ranger, Luke McAlister, Toby Morland, Chris Lowrey, Daniel Braid, Jerome Kaino, Ali Williams, Anthony Boric, Charlie Faumuina, Keven Mealamu (captain), Tony Woodcock.

Reserves: Tom McCartney, John Afoa, Kurtis Haiu, Luke Braid, Alby Mathewson, Stephen Brett, Sherwin Stowers.

11 All Blacks on the run-on and 2 on the reserves.....and I'm still nervous....lol

 

[Lance Free]

I don't think there'll be too much doubt as to who will win this one, unless there's an upset based on jet lag, complacency or too much focus on next week.

Or all of the above....

 

[Bullrush]

I don't think there'll be too much doubt as to who will win this one, unless there's an upset based on jet lag, complacency or too much focus on next week.

Or all of the above....

Or so the Blues can keep the Win/Loss ratio even....as they have been prone to do in the past

 

[ChargerWA]

I loved when they played Ranger at 13 last year. I know he doesn't probably pass enough to play there, but I reckon he makes better ground when he only has to beat players. Playing on the wing forces him to double back into traffic making him less effective, it's like playing next to the line hampers his style a bit, even though he is fast, he doesn't pin his ears back and trust he can beat a player on the outside.

I tipped the Blues, for the Force to win the Blues will have to revert to type and go cold.

 

[NanoBear]

Holy crap. Did you say Blues or Blacks?
Talk about stacked.
Then again, it is world cup year. Must be time to start coughing...

Probably a good thing I can't get to the game this week

 

[Moono75]

Not sure how to call this game. The Blues can be inconsistant. Lets hope they have a bit of jet lag following trip to SA. Force team still looks good on paper. Some quality individual players....they just aren't quite clicking as a team at the moment. Definitely need to get David Smith into the game get some more variety when in attack, a couple of little chip kicks, grubbers through with players running on, put the Blues under some pressure. As with the Sharks game last week the Force bombed a try when right on the try line. Sometimes just keep it in the forwards and smash it over.

Go the Force....season defining game. Lets get one in the win column.

 

[Bruce Ross]

2011 Super Rugby – Week 4
TMO : George Ayoub

TMO - how do you get a gig like that? George seems to have permanently entrenched himself in that role. You can have a quiet snooze all through a game, then when the phone rings you can watch the replays a few times and then pontificate before nodding off again. I don't think they'd be able to prise George out of the TMO box with a crowbar.

 

[The Mayor of Perth]

interesting that it is Brown playing 6 with McCalman at 8.

Yes it is. When Wykes came on for Poey last week the Wolfman slotted into 6. Brown has only started at 6 for the Force a handful of times (all in 2007) - only four times at home for 4 wins!

 

[Ash]

I find it interesting as to how the Blues have shuffled their backs this year. Always thought of Payne as more of a fullback, with Ice a utility back who has not settled in his best position of either out centre, wing or fullback. Brett's more of a five eighth, whereas I reckon that Lucky Luke is more of a second-five type close to the Mauger mould, and Benson Stanley is more of an Australian-style inside centre. Somehow they ended up with Payne at 13, Lucky Luke at 10 and Ice at full back. Ranger and Rok are fair enough out and out wingers, but neither really play the second fullback sweeping role either. Very much a strong tackle busting backline from the Blues.

 

[Lance Free]

TMO - how do you get a gig like that? George seems to have permanently entrenched himself in that role. You can have a quiet snooze all through a game, then when the phone rings you can watch the replays a few times and then pontificate before nodding off again. I don't think they'd be able to prise George out of the TMO box with a crowbar.

Nice little earner for a 'retired' ref Bruce? And he probably gets to stay at the Hilton with all expenses paid for a couple of nights (+ business class flights). Would be interesting to see how much the TMO is actually paid for the gig?

 

[Bullrush]

I find it interesting as to how the Blues have shuffled their backs this year. Always thought of Payne as more of a fullback, with Ice a utility back who has not settled in his best position of either out centre, wing or fullback. Brett's more of a five eighth, whereas I reckon that Lucky Luke is more of a second-five type close to the Mauger mould, and Benson Stanley is more of an Australian-style inside centre. Somehow they ended up with Payne at 13, Lucky Luke at 10 and Ice at full back. Ranger and Rok are fair enough out and out wingers, but neither really play the second fullback sweeping role either. Very much a strong tackle busting backline from the Blues.

I like Ice at full-back but I'd like to see Ranger at 13 more...maybe him and Payne around....but I trust Pat Lam knows what he's doing too...

I think he's the first coach to really kept Ice at one position....the guy has been too good for his own good...

 

[fatprop]

I find it interesting as to how the Blues have shuffled their backs this year. Always thought of Payne as more of a fullback, with Ice a utility back who has not settled in his best position of either out centre, wing or fullback. Brett's more of a five eighth, whereas I reckon that Lucky Luke is more of a second-five type close to the Mauger mould, and Benson Stanley is more of an Australian-style inside centre. Somehow they ended up with Payne at 13, Lucky Luke at 10 and Ice at full back. Ranger and Rok are fair enough out and out wingers, but neither really play the second fullback sweeping role either. Very much a strong tackle busting backline from the Blues.

They look very strong and should rack up 4 tries against the Force, Payne is playing that Conrad Smith style organisation/continuity role very well, Ice looks great at 15. I wouldn't be surprised if both weren't in the ABs this season.