NRC Final - Western Force v Canberra Vikings - UWA Sports Park - Saturday, 26 Oct - Noon (WST)

[ForceFan]

Something to talk about this week as it's the only game in town.

GO YOU FORCE!!

 

[Slim 293]

Now that the RWC is done.......... Sio, Alalatoa and Fainga'a for the Vikings?

 

[chibimatty]

Looking forward to this next week, especially as none of the RWC quarters went the way I was hoping

 

[Uh huh]

Now that the RWC is done.... Sio, Alalatoa and Fainga'a for the Vikings?

Arnold as an injury replacement for Swain would seem fair as well.

 

[SteveWA]

As I understand it, no RWC players are eligible for NRC selections. There were at least two of the Force’s at the game last Saturday - Marcel and Henry.

 

[ForceFan]

Will be interesting to see how this unfolds.

None of Sio, Alalatoa, Fainga'a nor Arnold were named in the NRC squad for Canberra Vikings.

Marcel Brache (USA), AJ Alatimu and Henry Taefu (both Samoa) were all named in the initial NRC squad for the Western Force.

 

[ForceFan]

Vikings poised for hot start in final clash
October 22, 2019

In a clash between the ladder leaders of the 2019 NRC season, the Canberra Vikings are looking to put themselves in the best position to take out the title decider.

The 2017 runners-up head into this weekend’s match following a thrilling come-from-behind win over reigning NRC Champions Fijian Drua, with Junior Wallabies playmaker Noah Lolesio’s clutch conversion after the 80th minute sealing a dramatic 28-27 win at Viking Park.

Vikings flanker Will Miller is assured his team, packed with five capped Wallabies and over 15 Super Rugby contracted players, are well-placed heading into Saturday but are wary of the threat that the home side pose.

Read more.......

Footnote:
Last week's WF team had 7 players with Super Rugby experience and 2 players with Test experience.

 

[ForceFan]

Composure key to Grand Final success
October 21, 2019

Force star Jeremy Thrush is urging his teammates to take a composed approach into this weekend’s NRC Grand Final against Canberra Vikings.

.........The Force is looking to stay dominant and clinical throughout this Saturday’s game.

Read more.....

 

[Uh huh]

I don't think there's any disputing that the Force is a better organised, better coached side. While the Vikings have a few spectacular performers, they've been let down by team cohesion, particularly at the set piece. If McInerney and Swain are back, it will go a long way to redressing some of the issues they had against the Drua. If not, I expect the Force to win reasonably comfortably.

 

[Brumby Jack]

No Pulu for the Vikings after tweaking a hamstring at training. Rob Valetini also missing with an ankle issue.

1. Bo ABRA
2. Lachlan LONERGAN
3. Angus WAGNER
4. Blake ENEVER (c)
5. Nick FROST
6. Pete SAMU
7. Will MILLER
8. Angus ALLEN
9. Ryan LONERGAN
10. Noah LOLESIO
11. Mack HANSEN
12. Irae SIMONE
13. Len IKITAU
14. Tom WRIGHT
15. Tom BANKS

REPLACEMENTS

16. TP LUTERU
17. Fred KAIHEA
18. Tom ROSS
19. Will SANKEY
20. Luke GERSEKOWSKI
21. Joe POWELL
22. Bayley KUENZLE
23. Lincoln SMITH

 

[Uh huh]

No Swain, McInerney, Valetini or Pulu. I foresee the Vikings getting reamed in the set piece and not having the strength at the breakdown, tackle busting or finishing to make up for it.

This honestly should be a fairly comfortable win for the Force.

 

[ForceFan]

The game's getting some good promotion in the West.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

Well I'll be there. Looking forward to the back row battle in particular.

 

[ForceFan]

Good team for the Final.
Pleasing to see Stander in the starting XV.
Liking the consistency in selection.

 

[ForceFan]

‘Bull’ unleashed for Grand Final

October 24, 2019

Explosive backrower Brynard Stander will make a return to the starting XV as the Western Force’s only change for Saturday’s NRC Grand Final against the Canberra Vikings.

Read more.....

 

[Brumby Runner]

Harrison Lloyd and Angus Wagner going, literally, head to head is one of the tantalising battles to look forward to. Both will be in the opposite team next year.

Other great tussles will be Henry Stowers against Pete Samu, and Issak Fines against Lachlan Lonergan as both will be vying for the bench No 9 spot at the Brumbies next year.

Think it will be closer than their previous meeting, but with the injury toll at the Vikings, Force to win by less than one converted try.

 

[ForceFan]

Well said Jack.

 

[ForceFan]

Some memories from the last NRC GF win (2016).

 

[RugbyReg]

this is incredible by Twiggy and his crew:

In case representing Western Australia in a national league Grand Final isn’t motivation enough, the Western Force will run out in tomorrow’s National Rugby Championship decider knowing that every try they score is worth $100,000 for underprivileged children through Telethon.
Through an incredibly generous collaboration between Minderoo Foundation and Telethon Kids Institute, every time the Force scores a try in the Grand Final the 2019 Telethon Appeal donation tally will grow by $100,000.
While Minderoo Foundation’s co-founders and Force owners Andrew and Nicola Forrest want their team to win, they want everyone to enjoy a great game of rugby so Minderoo Foundation will also be donating $25,000 every time opponents the Canberra Vikings score a try.
If the Force continues to play its attacking, high scoring game style in the Grand Final and Canberra is able to counterattack, it is possible that upwards of 15 tries are scored in the match. That would represent close to $1million to Telethon.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

Say what we will about Twiggy, he puts his money where his mouth is.