Force vs Lions Super Rugby 2012 Rnd 14

[Moono75]

Battle of the cellar dwellers for this one and after the season the Force have endured I'm not overly confident tipping them against the Lions. This would be a good scalp to take prior to the next bye and help keep the Force from securing the dreaded wooden spoon.

Some promising play from the boys last week against the Rebs and it was good to see Naps barge over for his first Super Rugby try. Will Tupou looked good bringing some strong running and tough defence, more required this week. With the Honey Badger back and a return of Mafi to the starting side where to for Harvey?

 

[Scotty]

Game last week was a lot higher quality that you would expect for two teams in the bottom half. The Force can do it, they just struggle to consistently put it together on game day.

 

[Moono75]

A win would do wonders for them as losing can catch on after a while. There is definitely some up and coming talent in the squad, Mafi, Salesi Manu, Wara, Angus Cottrell, they may just be a year or two away. If the Lions don't miss as many tackles they may push the Force, especially with Mitchell back in town. I wonder if he will interview for the coaching position

 

[RedsHappy]

Beware of the Lions though, they actually have some impressive players and can string quite powerful passages of play together.

Sitting as I did at Suncorp, they were no walkover for the Reds, they can hold possession very well and frustrate an attack into mistakes and loss of patience. They can kick well and long for the line after a mid-field penalty, then work up a good attacking maul from their line out close to the opposition's line.

This could be a close game for the Force, though I'd expect the Force to win, in part based upon the propellant of desperation.

 

[Moono75]

I fully expect a tough contest from the Lions, with forwards driven play and barging over close to the line. While they stuck close to the Reds, Ewen did give his bench a fair run. Hopefully on the back end of their tour the Force will get over the line. Pocock would not want to front up to another post game interview after a loss.

 

[Brisbok]

Beware of the Lions though, they actually have some impressive players and can string quite powerful passages of play together.

Sitting as I did at Suncorp, they were no walkover for the Reds, they can hold possession very well and frustrate an attack into mistakes and loss of patience. They can kick well and long for the line after a mid-field penalty, then work up a good attacking maul from their line out close to the opposition's line.

This could be a close game for the Force, though I'd expect the Force to win, in part based upon the propellant of desperation.

That's been the problem with the Lions all season. They are capable of stringing 20 minute passages of play together with good ball movement, well structured attack, good interplay between forwards and backs with solid ball retention. They are capable of stretching most defences. However, then it appears that a lack of concentration will creep in and they will have 30 mins where nothing goes right. The knock-ons creep in. Lineout goes astray. Players start missing one on one tackles. Discipline goes out the window. They concede 3 quick tries and the game is taken away from them.

Elton Jantjies and Jaco Taute are very promising players. Unfortunately they are surrounded by too many players that are not quite up to Super Rugby level. Hopefully they can step up this week!

 

[Shiggins]

I hare to say it but I think the lions might be favorites here. If they get it right we are in trouble. If the force can put this back line out we should do ok though.

Sheehan
Seymour
Nalaga
Cummins
Tupu
Wara
Mafi

Harvey on the bench. I would like to see Godwin on the bench too. Is he available?
It wouldn't surprise me if they put Wara on the bench and start mafi on the wing with Harvey at full back but please please don't do it.

The lions are a good team. It's an interesting one cease it depends who turns up. If the lions play 80 min of there best and the once do to we could have a cracker

I'm expecting a big score from both sides but as a loyal man I am tipping the force by 15. I know it's alot but I'm betting on us getting it right. We often do late in the season.




Http://www.youtube.com/shiggins316

 

[Brisbok]

Haha I'm not quite sure how you managed to start by saying the Lions are favourites and then finish with tipping the Force by 15...

Force are definitely favourties in Perth! The Lions have one win all season and have not really looked like winning another. They are playing their last game of a 4 week tour. There is every chance half their minds will already be on the flight home. 15 points is a little bit of a stretch IMO though.

 

[ChargerWA]

Sheehan
Seymour
Nalaga
Cummins
Tupu
Wara
Mafi

Thats definately our best backline.

In addition I want to see Manu start for Maafu, and I think we are in with a good chance.

 

[Moono75]

Haha I'm quite not sure how you managed to start by saying the Lions are favourites and then finish with tipping the Force by 15...

Force are definitely favourties in Perth! The Lions have one win all season and have not really looked like winning another. They are playing their last game of a 4 week tour. There is every chance half their minds will already be on the flight home. 15 points is a little bit of a stretch IMO though.

We only had 11,500 at the game last week. There are more than enough South Africans in Perthfontein to turn a home game into an away game real fast.....

 

[Brisbok]

We only had 11,500 at the game last week. There are more than enough South Africans in Perthfontein to turn a home game into an away game real fast.....

Mate I was at the Reds vs Lions game on the weekend...granted there are not nearly as many South Africans in Brisbane as there are in Perth, but there are still plenty here. I think I saw maybe 4 or 5 Lions shirts all night. Point being - the Lions do not have a particularly active following at the moment! I'm sure many of the Lions fans living in Aus would prefer to stay at home and watch their team get humiliated from the comfort of their own homes than make an effort to go and watch it at the stadiums!

Not sure if you have watched many of the Lions home games on tv this year, but for a big city like Jo'burg, their crowds are pretty dismal.

 

[Waylon]

It's turned into a "who cares" fixture

The only interest is who will win the wooden spoon. Both teams earning the right not to come last

With some luck, both teams will have a crack and play some ruggers

I will be there with nippers.

It won't be a classic, but Perth isn't known as dullsville for nothing. Game on

 

[Moono75]

Mate I was at the Reds vs Lions game on the weekend...granted there are not nearly as many South Africans in Brisbane as there are in Perth, but there are still plenty here. I think I saw maybe 4 or 5 Lions shirts all night. Point being - the Lions do not have a particularly active following at the moment! I'm sure many of the Lions fans living in Aus would prefer to stay at home and watch their team get humiliated from the comfort of their own homes than make an effort to go and watch it at the stadiums!

Not sure if you have watched many of the Lions home games on tv this year, but for a big city like Jo'burg, their crowds are pretty dismal.

They will have an even smaller following when they are punted from the comp next year. Yeah I've seen a few of the Lions games and the crowds are spartan to say the least, but SA has such big rugby venues so touch to fill especially with an extneded losing streak. I guess their Currie Cup win doesn't neccissarily translate into Super Rugby support.

 

[Moono75]

It's turned into a "who cares" fixture

The only interest is who will win the wooden spoon. Both teams earning the right not to come last

Week 20, Force v Blues at Eden Park could be the spoon decider.

 

[Bardon]

Didn't see this story mentioned anywhere on the site so apologies if it's been mentioned before:

Northampton Saints sign Australian Cameron Shepherd
Northampton Saints have signed Western Force and Australia full-back Cameron Shepherd for the 2012/13 season.

The 28-year-old, who can also play on the wing, is the Super Rugby side's all-time leading points scorer and has nine international caps.

Saints director of rugby Jim Mallinder told BBC Northampton: "We've been watching him for a few years now and admired the way he plays.

"We think he'll be able to make a massive contribution."

Mallinder added: "Any player who's played for Australia is talented.

"He's an outside back and he's got a very good kicking game. You'd rather have it that way [with Stephen Myler, Ryan Lamb and Shepherd] than have nobody who can kick goals."

The Premiership Rugby board has decided that, from the 2012-13 season, clubs will be able to exclude one marquee player from their salary cap.

But Mallinder denies that Shepherd is that player.

"We don't make marquee signings - he's a good quality international player and we're looking to make a couple [more] announcements in the near future."

With the departure of Chris Ashton to Saracens, Shepherd seems most likely to fill that spot in the team for the Premiership semi-finalists.

He is the Saints' fourth signing for next season, after Luther Burrell, Sam Dickinson and Gerrit-Jan van Velze.

"Northampton is similar to the Force in that it has a great fan base behind the team and I'm looking forward to showing the Saints supporters what I can do as a player," said Shepherd.

"I've heard lots of good things about Jim Mallinder as a coach and about the Saints as a club.

"You can see that with the quality of player that there is at the club, players like Ben Foden and George Pisi, who are established internationals.

"Jim has got the team playing a great brand of rugby which I believe suits my style of play. I can't wait to get there."

Shepherd won the first of his nine international caps against England - the country of his birth - and he also played for the Wallabies in the 2007 World Cup.

 

[Waylon]

I reckon its this week. Force need to aim up, fire up, gee up, get up............and not fark up

The Blues have to win a few games. Have a look at their side. They beat the Bulls at Loftus...........?

 

[Waylon]

.........and to Northampton, I hope Shepherd is being paid per appearance. Dead set

 

[Moono75]

Blues seem to be in a terminal funk. Talented side but that win against the Bulls was week 3. They have so much more traumatic psychologial baggage to deal with now, espcially after that effort aginst the Saders last week...ouch!

Agree though.....the Force need to fire up for this one now. Perhaps a team bonding trip to Rottnest Island is required to rediscover some of their mongrel. Lock up your quokkas!

 

[Moono75]

.........and to Northampton, I hope Shepherd is being paid per appearance. Dead set

however...the Force's bill for band aids will be significantly lower next year. That said Shep has been a great servant to the club since inception so wish him good luck for next year with Northampton.

 

[The Red Baron]

Geez the Saints couldn't have been watching Shep too closely. I can't even remember what he looks like, it has been that long since he has been on the field.