Force v Waratahs Friday April 13th

[MrMouse]

Tahs by 40.

Wow, that's confidence!

I'm hoping and praying that the "good" Tahs turn up, in which case Tahs by 15 with a bonus point. If that other mob turns up it could be anything - except worth the price of admission.

 

[waratahjesus]

I hope Pocock stays on his feet so the breakdown is fair.

I've decided lately I'm to one sided in my criticism of other teams fr cheating and I cheer Pocock on in wallaby colours but the guy makes macaw look like a saint.

 

[MrMouse]

I hope Pocock stays on his feet so the breakdown is fair.

I've decided lately I'm to one sided in my criticism of other teams fr cheating and I cheer Pocock on in wallaby colours but the guy makes macaw look like a saint.

I hope that we accurately interpret the ref's intentions early on then play on the edge like Pocock. Alcock/Jenkins - are you listening?

If we clean out well enough, what Bam does won't matter.

Incidentally, I know that his nickname is from BamBam, but it's so apt.... "Bam! And the ball is gone"

 

[cyclopath]

Now what will you possibly catch with bait as rancid as that, WJ?

 

[Moono75]

I would argue that the Force don't have a culture of playing or are recognised for playing a boring style of rugby. Just look at 2011 try of the year in the Australian conference picked up by the Force for their effort against the Crusaders. The Force just employ the gameplan that they feel gives them the best shot at winning. As a fan I don't mind that because it's not every week.

At the moment we are playing to a style of rugby dictated by the talent of our squad and our ongoing injury concerns (to our backs). You could argue that the Tahs have historically had access to great talent but have not necessarily utilised it to the maximum potential for whatever reasons.

I think WJ predicted the Tahs would win with a bonus point no matter what style of play was employed. We shall see Friday.

 

[MrMouse]

I would argue that the Force don't have a culture of playing or are recognised for playing a boring style of rugby. Just look at 2011 try of the year in the Australian conference picked up by the Force for their effort against the Crusaders. The Force just employ the gameplan that they feel gives them the best shot at winning. As a fan I don't mind that because it's not every week.

At the moment we are playing to a style of rugby dictated by the talent of our squad and our ongoing injury concerns (to our backs). You could argue that the Tahs have historically had access to great talent but have not necessarily utilised it to the maximum potential for whatever reasons.

I think WJ predicted the Tahs would win with a bonus point no matter what style of play was employed. We shall see Friday.

I would argue that in their short history, the Force have done their best to build such a culture, despite having players such as James O'Connor and, before he totally lost it, Matt Giteau. One try does not a summer make.

McKenzie was vilified and eventually sacked because he played "the gameplan that they feel gives them the best shot at winning" and at times "to a style of rugby dictated by the talent of our squad and our ongoing injury concern." This is often forgotten by those who observe his current successes.

I think WJ is, as Cyclo said, trolling. May the best team on the night win.

 

[waratahjesus]

Now what will you possibly catch with bait as rancid as that, WJ?

No one, there isno such thing as Force fan therefore no one to bait. There is only wrong (opinion in forces favor) and right (my opinion)

 

[Moono75]

No one, there isno such thing as Force fan therefore no one to bait. There is only wrong (opinion in forces favor) and right (my opinion)

I didn't realise the qualification was you had to boo your own team. You must be qualifying as a die hard Tahs fan this year.

 

[waratahjesus]

I didn't realise the qualification was you had to boo your own team. You must be qualifying as a die hard Tahs fan this year.

Never booed any team. That makes me a fan. Fans don't hate.

 

[Moono75]

Fans don't hate. That's true and a good one to finish on. Still 3 days to poke sticks at each other before the game.

 

[Forcefield]

Yes, something of a double standard here.
Force play to their strength with a limited style game=resourceful, smart rugby.
Tahs play to theirs and they're boring.
What a load of twaddle.

Disagree. You're looking at that from the wrong angle.

Kicking isn't a particular strength of the Tahs, or so the last few seasons have shown us. Running the ball would have been if the team was actually prepared to do it. Last year you had Kurtley Beale, Lachie Turner, Drew Mitchell, Rob Horne, Berrick Barnes, Luke Burgess. That's 6 Wallabies in the backline, and not just any Wallabies, 6 Wallabies who would easily make a match day 22 last year. Yes a fair few of them were out injured during the season, yet five of them played in the shocker against the Cheetahs. Four played in the snorefest against the Force in Sydney. You got booed and accused of being boring because you failed to live up to the talent in your squad. You could have been so much better. That's what people were pissed off about. It's time for you guys to get over that. It was Waratah 'fans' just as much as everyone else calling you boring. This year injuries have been an absolute bugger for you, sure, but you'll notice that far fewer people are calling the Tahs boring this season.

The Force have 3 former Wallabies this year. None of them have played for the Wallabies since 2008. We don't have an experienced fly-half. Our attack is poor, but that doesn't mean we don't try. We may not play to the capability of the players in our backline but not nearly to the extent of under performance as that of the Tahs last season. We haven't won a lot of games in the last few seasons. Personally, I am entertained in a game of rugby just to see the Force ahead on the scoreboard. That would quickly change, and expectations would increase, if our backline were better than it is.

Any team winning a game they are expected to lose = resourceful/smart rugby.

Any team losing or struggling to win a game they are expected to win comfortably = boring rugby. Unless you are fans of the team that pulled off the upset.

 

[waratahjesus]

The number of wallabies in a side has nothing to do with the intent of the game plan of a team. That's a cop out of epic proportions.

 

[#1 Tah]

^^^ True that. Case in point is the Blues.

 

[tranquility]

Disagree. You're looking at that from the wrong angle.

Kicking isn't a particular strength of the Tahs, or so the last few seasons have shown us. Running the ball would have been if the team was actually prepared to do it. Last year you had Kurtley Beale, Lachie Turner, Drew Mitchell, Rob Horne, Berrick Barnes, Luke Burgess. That's 6 Wallabies in the backline, and not just any Wallabies, 6 Wallabies who would easily make a match day 22 last year. Yes a fair few of them were out injured during the season, yet five of them played in the shocker against the Cheetahs. Four played in the snorefest against the Force in Sydney. You got booed and accused of being boring because you failed to live up to the talent in your squad. You could have been so much better. That's what people were pissed off about. It's time for you guys to get over that. It was Waratah 'fans' just as much as everyone else calling you boring. This year injuries have been an absolute bugger for you, sure, but you'll notice that far fewer people are calling the Tahs boring this season.

The Force have 3 former Wallabies this year. None of them have played for the Wallabies since 2008. We don't have an experienced fly-half. Our attack is poor, but that doesn't mean we don't try. We may not play to the capability of the players in our backline but not nearly to the extent of under performance as that of the Tahs last season. We haven't won a lot of games in the last few seasons. Personally, I am entertained in a game of rugby just to see the Force ahead on the scoreboard. That would quickly change, and expectations would increase, if our backline were better than it is.

Any team winning a game they are expected to lose = resourceful/smart rugby.

Any team losing or struggling to win a game they are expected to win comfortably = boring rugby. Unless you are fans of the team that pulled off the upset.

I completely see where you coming from, give them a belting this weekend Force.

 

[fatprop]

Frustrated Foley asks Waratahs to turn up volume against the Force

Greg Growden

April 10, 2012


"Become loud and proud" ... Waratahs coach Michael Foley.
THE WARATAHS have been told they must become loud and proud, turning into chatterboxes to ensure they continue their perfect West Australian record when they play the Force in Perth on Friday night.
Waratahs coach Michael Foley believes a major factor for his team being so erratic this season is poor communication at crucial moments in matches, with players often forgetting to offer guidance to teammates, resulting in good attacking opportunities being wasted.
This was especially true against the Chiefs in Hamilton last month, with Foley unhappy his players did not convert six chances in the opposition quarter. To overcome that he has stressed at the last two NSW training sessions that the players had to start ''saying things to each other''.

During yesterday's session at Victoria Barracks, Foley yelled at his players: ''There's not enough chat. Say something.''

With the Waratahs heading west tomorrow in a bid to add to their four-match unbeaten record in Perth, they know a complete 15-man effort, revolving around each player working with all those around them, will be required to defeat a side that a few weeks ago in Sydney dominated them in the physical encounters. Crisp and positive communication is required.
Waratahs captain Benn Robinson said yesterday it was imperative the backs and forwards knew exactly what each other were doing.

''Good communication doesn't just revolve around the leaders speaking all the time,'' he said.
''It involves everyone. You see on the park when the players have a connection with each other, and are talking to each other, more options open up. The connection between the forwards and the backs is important. In weeks gone past we have been a bit separated.

''When you have a strong link there, it all seems to flow a lot better. That involves everyone from one to eight talking to the backs all the time and making sure that you are always offering something.''

But the comments shouldn't become abusive. ''If you're forceful with the halfback and No.10 over whether you either want or don't want the ball, then that is all that is required,'' Robinson said.
''There's always room for abrasive comments when things go astray, but you don't want that from all of the players. It's most important to have positive communication because that usually leads to a result all over the field. You don't want to be talking for the sake of talking all the time, but you want to make sure you get your point across …

''The sides who have been together a while automatically have that connection with each other. But as it is now more a case of new players coming in the team every season, you have to work on it.''

Where strong connections will be required is at the tackle area, where Force back-rowers Matt Hodgson and David Pocock were so prominent in their Sydney victory.

''They are a good side at the breakdown and so we have to make sure we're effective there as well,'' Robinson said.

''By having David Pocock and Richard Brown, they do slow sides down there. To counter that, first and foremost you have to be accurate. And if you're not, they'll hurt you.

''We've also had problems with discipline at the breakdown. We've been giving away a few penalties in that area, and if we can clear that up, then we can definitely put some pressure back onto the Force.''
Winger Adam Ashley-Cooper sat out yesterday's training session but will be available for selection.

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/union-news/frustrated-foley-asks-waratahs-to-turn-up-volume-against-the-force-20120409-1wl3f.html#ixzz1rghAqcxz

 

[Lee Grant]

Don't expect too many changes in the Tahs team for Friday.

The 22 is exactly the same.

 

[fatprop]

One paper has Timani starting and Mumm off the bench

 

[Forcefield]

The number of wallabies in a side has nothing to do with the intent of the game plan of a team. That's a cop out of epic proportions.

Hah. Now that is a cop out. The number of Wallabies is a simple illustration of the difference in talent between our two backlines. Stop making excuses for the Waratahs. You had the cattle to play more skillful, more exciting rugby. You chose not to. You chose conservatism. Repeatedly.

We don't have a good attack. We need to recruit better. In the mean time we are not going to roll over and surrender to the Waratahs by not hammering you at the breakdown and by repeatedly running a pedestrian attack at a brick wall defence. That would just be stupid.

For the record I think the Waratahs will win it by 10.

 

[The Red Baron]

Don't you guys know that it is everyone elses fault when the Waratahs lose?

Force by 6.

 

[Moono75]

Forcefield I agree. The Tahs have never been low on talent they just haven't employed it to their best advantage, be that playing culture, coaching or injuries. The number of Wallabies in a team is a good indication of the talent base of your squad and sets the expecatation level as to how you should perform as a team in the competition. Sure there are exceptions to the rule....the dissapointing Blues this year for instance. Given the talent in the two oppposing squads over the years I would point to the Tahs as being the underacheivers.