Force v Bulls. Perthfontein.

[Lee Grant]

Yeah, that was Luke and yeah, we want all our players to have a better injury record than poor old 3M, don't we? Not bad for 18, is he, but I hope that folks don't become instant LJ experts and expect too much of him before he comes a more seasoned player in 3-4 years time.

One item of interest is where he will end up playing as a pro. He was a lock mostly in schools rugby last year because tall timber is scarce there, but I have seen him play 6 or 8 with equal facility. Did anybody see Eales as a schoolboy player, and Jones also? I didn't see Eales, and wonder how the two compared at that age, not that it matters a whole lot.

Another item of interest is how he goes at Sydney Uni. I assume they will put him in grade as soon as he becomes available as Dennis and McCalman are short arses for 2nd rowers. Caldwell will be available this year though Mumm wont be playing a lot of club rugby, as usual. Then McCalman, Dennis, McCutcheon and Davidson should all be available for the backrow - and dare I say it - Phil Waugh. Go you little Aussie battlers.


Agree on Sharpe. He has been bagged in the past and a lot of it has been deserved because he has gone missing at the coal face waiting to be a ball runner too often. Not a lot of bagging has been earned this year however.

 

[Blue]

What's this young fella's height? Still has a couple of cm to grow one would imagine.

Sharpe's name is a pretty easy one to write down on a Wallaby team sheet at the moment.

 

[PhucNgo]

Just had a look at the highlights on foxsports.com.au - Steyn's try should have been disallowed. He was clearly held and did not reach out to score the try, but rather used his legs to propel himself. Amateur refereeing.

Agreed, but to be pedantic he used his knees. Either way it really was a poor piece of refereeing.

 

[PhucNgo]

But seriously tho, I thought this was an excellent game to watch. Right up there with the draw against the Crusaders. Disagree that the Bulls were below par, they came out of the blocks on fire in the first 20. My take was that the Force were just awesome in defence right across the park (with a couple of exceptions). Forwards took it right up to the Bulls and were competitive throughout. The young guy no one seems to have mentioned so far is Whittaker, who really stepped up. Rightly tho the problem that everyone has identified is their lack of potency in attack. My take on this is that Hill is the weak link. His kicking was poor to average, as were his option taking, distribution and defence. I thought he played a lot better in the previous weak and therefore am hopeful, but maybe it was the pressure of a classier Bulls outfit which revealed his inadequacies, maybe. Jury's out.

 

[Lee Grant]

What's this young fella's height?

He's listed as 200cms but he doesn't look that tall when you stand near him. He's only 108kgs (only, compared to his height) but he plays a heavy game. He should put on another 4-5 kgs by the time he is in his prime; he's rangy but not skinny like Wykes.

 

[Reddy!]

I think for one of the first time ever in the game against the Bulls, I saw Sharpe actually stay upright after contact, and run a few more metres with a tackler hanging off him. Normally he goes straight to ground when he comes into contact with defenders. Was refreshing to see.

Sharpe and Mumm would be the starting Wobs locks at the moment. I love how form makes selecting teams easy.

 

[Pfitzy]

Agreed, but to be pedantic he used his knees.

Agreed, but to be pedantic your knees are part of your farkin LEGS!!!

 

[Sully]

I think for one of the first time ever in the game against the Bulls, I saw Sharpe actually stay upright after contact, and run a few more metres with a tackler hanging off him. Normally he goes straight to ground when he comes into contact with defenders. Was refreshing to see.

Sharpe and Mumm would be the starting Wobs locks at the moment. I love how form makes selecting teams easy.

The Missus said Sharpe was having a big night. Then I said "But he falls over in every single tackle" Then the Bastard hits a tackle and stays up and keeps running!!! WTF haven't seen him do that for years. I'm sweeping my lounge room for bugs because someone is listening to us!


ps: It's not paranoia if someone is really out to get you.

 

[Lee Grant]

Good one Sully - one of your best. :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: