I'm not the biggest fan of the rebels.mainly because they have all these handouts. The force have had to struggle to build a team while the rebels have just bought whoever they want. It doesn't matter where they are from. The amount of marquee players aloud is ridiculous. To be honest the rebels have one of the best looking teams on paper when the likes of occonner and saffy aren't injured. if you look at the good players in aus rugby we have none. It's hard out west to bring in or keep great talent. Hopefully it doesn't stay like this forever. Also it shits me that perth missis out on all these competitions that the other franchises compete in. Eg the brumbie runners. Perth gold misses out. Terrible by the ARU. We are being set up to fail!
However, about the game. I think the rebels deserved the win by a whisker.
Http://www.youtube.com/shiggins316
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What a load of total tripe.
Front row is composed of people nobody wanted, a bit like the Force. Second row similarly and my word how they have developed in Melbourne. Backrow a marquee Welsh discard, a marquee English discard (that had been sacked from his previous club) a League convert in his first two years, A Shute Shield trier or two who have never been given a start in NSW or elsewhere.
9 - did he get a start at his previous fanchises
10. started with a discarded Englishman and we found out why he was discarded. Then tried a Brumbies/Wallabies tradesman who is inspirational for make the best of his mediocre skills. Along come the two wunderkinda the only truly Marquee signings.
12. filled by a tradesman who I remain unconvinced about. Moved to the wing and was badly found out.
13. the underrated youngster who couldn't get a start before the Rebs. and the old man who nobody wanted anymore.
14. A league convert in his first years
15. Another old man who nobody wanted.
We could continue but why bother the rest of the squad is similar.
The Force now, there is a top line pack. An all recent Wallaby backrow. As much as I laugh at it, the incumbant Wallaby THP. The best LH Lock in Oz. The fact that the Force fixated on signing Giteau first and then JOC (James O'Connor) was their undoing whenthey should have concentrated on keeping players like Inman. Just imagine what they would do with finishers like Mafi, Warra and Nalaga if they had some penetration in Midfield. I think it likely that the Force will be the wooden spooners this year and they should be rightly disappointed by this, and looking internally they could sheet a lot of blame at Richard Graham for destablising them mid year. I must say however they are playing far better since sacking him. Note to the Reds sack Graham after three weeks to improve performance.