NRC 2nd Semi - Queensland Country v western force

[ForceFan]

There's some good profiling going on at the Western Force website with new players getting airtime.
Here's Rodney Iona.

Stronger for Queensland Country - 15 October 2018

https://www.westernforce.com.au/stronger-for-queensland-country/

 

[ForceFan]

Leon Power

Bringing Their A-Game to Queensland - 17 October 2018

https://www.westernforce.com.au/bringing-their-a-game-to-queensland/

 

[ForceFan]

Local product - Clay Uyen

Uyen Hitting the Ground Running - 18 October 2018

https://www.westernforce.com.au/uyen-hitting-the-ground-running/

 

[Forcefield]

Would have liked a home final, but if I am honest, I'd prefer to play QLD Country away than the Canberra Vikings at home. Looking at how good the Country backline is, I hope the Force side have learnt something from last weekend's poor tactical choices.

 

[ForceFan]

Enjoying the consistency in selection.
Good team which needs to produce a better result than last week.

 

[RugbyReg]

QUEENSLAND COUNTRY:

1. James Slipper, 2. Effi Ma’afu, 3. Kirwan Sanday, 4. Harry Hockings, 5. Angus Blyth, 6. Angus Scott-Young, 7. Tom Kibble, 8. Caleb Timu, 9. James Tuttle, 10. Hamish Stewart, 11. Chris Feauai-Sautia, 12. Duncan Paia’aua (c), 13. Jordan Petaia, 14. Filipo Daugunu, 15. Jock Campbell
Replacements: 16. Richie Asiata, 17. Harry Hoopert, 18. Jake Simeon, 19. Rob Puli’uvea, 20. Harry Wilson, 21. Tate McDermott, 22. Tom Lucas, 23. Patrick James
WESTERN FORCE:

1. Harry Lloyd, 2. Heath Tessmann, 3. Kieran Longbottom, 4. Fergus Lee-Warner, 5. Jeremy Thrush, 6. Tevin Ferris, 7. Chris Alcock, 8. Brynard Stander, 9. Ian Prior (C), 10. Andrew Deegan, 11. Rod Davies, 12. Rodney Iona, 13. Henry Teafu, 14. Brad Lacey, 15. Jack McGregor
Replacements: 16. Feleti Kaitu’u, 17. Cameron Orr, 18. Chris Heiberg, 19. Leon Power, 20. Henry Stowers, 21. Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, 22. AJ Alatimu, 23. Clay Uyen

 

[dru]

Hey, I really hope that Country win this this but there is a little "fight against the machine" in me that thinks wouldn't it be good for the Force to go all the way. All the way.

Doing alright Force if you have a died in the wool Qld-er confused on loyalty.

In the mean time, Slipps to crush the front row, Blyth and Hocking are finally going going to show their muscle, AS-Y is going to have a blinder and the awesome Country back line is simply going to rip.

Country by 12. God I wish I was up in Qld tomorrow to see this live. You blokes who can get there, lucky, lucky bastards.

PS got to love the Force promo vids, Reds do alright as well.

 

[Brumby Runner]

Dru, I am predicting a real battle in the front row. Slipper (at TH?) against a real up and comer in Harry Lloyd at LH for the Force. Slipper will have size and experience on his side, but I don't think Lloyd has been bested at scrum time during the whole of the NRC. It will certainly be a test for him in this game.


EDIT : Just noticed James is listed to play LH. Maybe they won't have the opportunity of going head to head.

 

[dru]

Dru, I am predicting a real battle in the front row. Slipper (at TH?) against a real up and comer in Harry Lloyd at LH for the Force. Slipper will have size and experience on his side, but I don't think Lloyd has been bested at scrum time during the whole of the NRC. It will certainly be a test for him in this game.


EDIT : Just noticed James is listed to play LH. Maybe they won't have the opportunity of going head to head.

Yeah it's s bit odd that they have been swapping Slipper around, though if I recall correctly he packed at TH irrespective of the number in an earlier game?

Should be a cracker.

 

[dru]

OK let's get it on.

 

[dru]

Woohoo Petaia scores at 1 min30.

A couple of nice nice hands at 9 and 10 on the back of a ruck turnover.

Stewart misses the conversion by mm from far out on his bad side. Looked good though.

 

[dru]

Earlier Force chose to run it rather than exit from the 25.

Stewart takes the kick and exits - awesome clearance to the 50.

 

[dru]

Force dropped the first line out. First scrum.
Slipper packing at LH.

Scrum roughly parity.

In general play Slipper is looking pumped. I'd add Longbottom is a beast.

 

[dru]

YC to Rocket for a punch? Missed it myself.

 

[dru]

Battle of the pigs in the rucks is savage both sides

 

[dru]

Injury Tuttle gone after a great start. McDermot gets 70mins.

Big change in complexion of the Country attack though.

Yeah well, that just destroyed veiwing pleasure. Second YC to Force. Possibly deserved but not rugby with 13 v 15.

 

[Aurelius]

Who does this ref think he is, Wyatt Earp?

Two yellows in the first ten minutes doesn't bode well for much of a contest.

 

[footy1>31]

Ridiculous yellow card, pretty silly to appoint a QLD ref educated at Nudgee College for a QLD v interstate final - surely someone from NSW would be more appropriate

 

[dru]

Good not just an echo chamber here. ;-)

 

[Aurelius]

Ridiculous yellow card, pretty silly to appoint a QLD ref educated at Nudgee College for a QLD v interstate final - surely someone from NSW would be more appropriate

Really?

Anyhow, first time for Force get the ball in QLD's half they make good ground before turning it over. Got to get better at the cleanouts.