Force v Highlanders at NIB - Round 13

[teach]

Sopoaga is going to have to have a blinder to justify subbing Banks. oops Banks still on.
Should stop writing reports and trying to watch the game

 

[ACR]

Gotta feel that the knees to Morahan's head there is as deserving of a yellow as Arnold's hit.

Somewhat agreed, if he whacks him definitely. You can't slide in like that.
Tackling players on the ground is a particular peeve of mine at the moment (due to last week).

 

[Dismal Pillock]

 

[Simon.]

8 tries to nil and the Force probably have a better chance of making the finals than the Highlanders.

 

[Shaker]

Devastating. Even more so after last week. Despite the injuries, despite the weather, even despite the opposition, that was the worst i've seen the Force play. Clueless in attack, swiss cheese in defence, aimless kicking, bad set pieces, everything was bad tonight. No silver lining, no positives.

Bury this game film in cement and forget it ever happened.

 

[cyclopath]

Surely it's the Shiggs-Boson Brain-Fark-Quark?

 

[Dismal Pillock]

Shaker above has pretty much covered it.


The Force didn’t look like scoring a try. Even when they were hot on attack inside the 22. Their physiques look “different” to other teams in the comp. Not like pro players. More like big high school kids.

Hammington wasn’t flash.

Faddes started the game like he’d been drinking solidly for the entire flight over.

 

[Inside Shoulder]

That Arnold effort was just ridiculous. I don't understand how a pro player can be so stupid.

 

[Moono75]

Worst performance i have seen for a long time. where was the team from last week? Im soggy wet and.need some rum.

 

[Moono75]

You really suck ARU.....killing Oz rugby week by week

 

[todd4]

If only the game went on a bit longer I'm sure we'd have seen a fightback.

 

[Moono75]

what fucking crumpet doesent schedule a bye after flying around the world. The ARU....cause they have no ideas!

 

[todd4]

Where's Shiggins when you need him?

 

[ChargerWA]

Well that was heinous 8 hour round trip to watch the boys get pumped while sitting in the rain.

It was boys v men. The Highlanders positioning was the difference. They trust each other to make their tackles and their line doesn't compress. The Force continually find themselves watching the player their inside man is covering and end up with an overlap.

I'm tempted to make excuses and say they were jet lagged, we lost our 3rd choice flyhalf before 10mins and our 4th choice 50 mins later and couldn't rebound from 2 dumb yellow cards, but fuck that. There is just no excuse for their basic lack of skill execution, ability to make their tackles and poor positioning during play.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

what fucking crumpet doesent schedule a bye after flying around the world. The ARU..cause they have no ideas!

Crusaders flew back from SA, played the 'canes then up to Suva for the Chiefs. I get why you're pissed & yes the Force get screwed pretty much every year travel-wise but that's not down to ARU, it's SANZAAR.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Where's Shiggins when you need him?

You know what happens when you red-line your engine for too long, don't you........

"Mr S.Higgins left Perth on Wednesday intending to drive to Sydney & give ARU a piece of his mind. He made it to the outskirts of Adelaide before this happened".

Didn't see the game but the highlights, match reports & comments all suggest it was an old-fashioned arse kicking which is sad 'cos I've always wanted the Force to be a force in Aus rugby if only for our game to for once get established in a new(ish) territory before the freakin' Loig boys roll into town.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Force fans may want to skip this......

 

[RugbyReg]

what fucking crumpet doesent schedule a bye after flying around the world. The ARU..cause they have no ideas!

You can't blame them for everything. SANZAAR set the schedule and each club approves it.

 

[Rugbynutter39]

Well that was heinous 8 hour round trip to watch the boys get pumped while sitting in the rain.



It was boys v men. The Highlanders positioning was the difference. They trust each other to make their tackles and their line doesn't compress. The Force continually find themselves watching the player their inside man is covering and end up with an overlap.



I'm tempted to make excuses and say they were jet lagged, we lost our 3rd choice flyhalf before 10mins and our 4th choice 50 mins later and couldn't rebound from 2 dumb yellow cards, but fuck that. There is just no excuse for their basic lack of skill execution, ability to make their tackles and poor positioning during play.

Sadly after last week's win the Force had a chance to make a real statement with a performance to be proud of against the Highlanders and send the ARU a message.

Opportunity most definitely lost.

 

[Brumby Runner]

It was boys v men. The Highlanders positioning was the difference. They trust each other to make their tackles and their line doesn't compress. The Force continually find themselves watching the player their inside man is covering and end up with an overlap.

This is exactly what is wrong with the compressed, sliding defensive patterns adopted by the Wallabies and many of the Aus franchises. Well past time for a change in structures in this country.