NRC Round 7: Western Force v Fiji Drua

[ForceFan]

Apologies: The team is the FIJIAN DRUA.

Have been doing a little bit of research.

A profile of the Fiji Warriors A team which was defeated 24:12 by the Western Force:
- 14 of the 23 (~60%) have since played in the NRC.
- 6 of the 23 (26%) were capped Fiji Test players (Seru Vularika 11; Mosese Voka 6; the remainder <5)

In the 6 NRC rounds so far the Fijian Drua:
- Has averaged 12 players who played against the Western Force and 7 capped Fiji players.
- The 7 capped Test players is the highest of any NRC team.

The Western Force are showing some very good stats:
Players
- Currently 2nd on the ladder
- Most Points For
- 3rd lowest Points Against
- Ian Prior 2nd in Points scored
- Ian Prior 1st in conversions
- Rod Davies 3rd for Clean Breaks
- Andrew Deegan 2nd for Kicks from Hand
- Ian Prior most Passes
- Andrew Deegan and Jack McGregor equal 2nd for Try Assists
- Fergus Lee-Warner, Tevin Ferris & Brynard Stander No 2, 3 & 4 for Most Tackles.
- Kieran Longbottom 5th for Defence Penalties
- Jack McGregor 1st for Turnovers Conceded
Team
- 3rd for Most Tries (Thanks RR & to RA for still updating)
- 1st for Most Conversions
- 3rd for Defenders Beaten
- 1st for Kicks from Hand
- 2nd for Most Tackles
- 5th for Missed Tackles
- 4th for Turnovers Won
- Lowest Penalties Conceded
- Lowest for YC (1 - McGregor knock-down)

Shame that this game isn't being telecast as it could have been a good promotion for the Finals see #6

A Western Force win at home in front of Phill means top of the ladder.
A Western Force loss could see them drop to 3rd and reduce the chance of a Perth final.

I'm interested as to who gets to ref this game.

Come on RugbyWA a bit of promotion of this game would be good.

 

[RugbyReg]

should be an epic match with plenty to play for.

In the interests of balance, for the Drua:

Team Stats:
- equal first in tries (actually Force are 3rd not 2nd)
- first in most metres
- first in clean breaks
- first in off-loads
- first in carries
- first in defenders beaten
- last in kicks from hand
- 2nd last in missed tackles
- 1st in penalties conceded
- 1st in turnovers conceded
- 2nd in yellow cards

Player stats:
- Apisalome Waqatabu 1sty in total points
- Apisalome Waqatabu & Levani Kurumudu 2nd in total tries
- Alifereti Veitokani 1st in most metres
- Levani Kurumudu 2nd in most metres
- Apete Daveta 3rd in most metres
- Alifereti Veitokani 2nd in most carries
- Moses Voka 3rd in most carries
- Levani Kurumudu 1st in clean breaks
- Alifereti Veitokani 2nd in clean breaks
- Levani Kurumudu 3rd in defenders beaten
- Alifereti Veitokani 5th in defenders beaten
- Alifereti Veitokani 1st in off-loads
- Eramasi Radrodro 4th in off-loads
- Frank Lomani 4th in passes
- Alifereti Veitokani 2nd in assists
- Johnny Dyer 2nd in turnovers won
- Moses Voka 2nd in defense penalties
- Serupepeli Vularika 5th in turnovers conceded.
- Serupepeli Vularika 1st in yellow cards

 

[chibimatty]

Come on RugbyWA a bit of promotion of this game would be good.

Too bloody right!

 

[Brumby Runner]

Horan-Little Shield up for grabs again?

 

[RugbyReg]

yup

 

[todd4]

Shame that this game isn't being telecast as it could have been a good promotion for the Finals

According to Foxtel program Channel 503 12.00pm to 2.00pm Rays v Qld Country (WA time) then straight after 2.00pm to 4.00pm Force v Drua (WA Time).

 

[ForceFan]

All setup well RugbyWA now just some promotion for what's sure to be a great day - despite the weather forecast. (Winter conditions may favour the Western Force particularly with Forwards strength)
[High 19 deg C. Wind 15 - 30 kmph. Chance of rain - 80%. To 12mm.]

Game Day Information: Western Force v Fijian Drua
October 9, 2018
The Western Force are back at home to play the Fijian Drua in the last round of the home and away games this Saturday at UWA Sports Park.
The Force and the RugbyWA community would like you to continue joining us in supporting our Australian Farmers and rural communities who are struggling through the drought as part of the NRC charity round.

Event Details
Location: UWA Sports Park – McGillivray Rd, Mount Claremont.
Date: Saturday, October 13.
Gold coin donation for entry, or purchase a $5 game day program. Proceeds go towards the RugbyWA emerging programs.

Key Times (all WST)
11.50am – Mandurah Raw Prawns v The Rocking Chairs on field two.
12.45pm – RugbyRoos Under 8’s Junior games on the field.
1pm – Activites begin
2pm – Kick-off

Around the Grounds
Pre-game activities start at 11.50 pm and there is something for everyone!
Activities include:
– The Mandurah Raw Prawns and The Rocking Chairs will be going head-to-head on field two with kick-off at 11.50am after a minute of silence to commemorate players that have past away.
– RugbyRoos Junior games on field one.
– Wallabies Pass the Ball
– Westie, Roo and Wally the Wallaby
– Sumo Suits
– Spongebob Squarepants and Looney Tunes Bouncy Castles
– Rugby Pass Hut
– Rugby Roos clinics including special appearances from Western Force players
– Face Painting

Plus food trucks and BBQ’s to keep everyone well fed, and a licensed drinking area including a pop-up bar for the grown-ups.

Food Trucks on the day include:
– Spunky Spuds
– Jumplings
– Boost Juice
– Mrs Mac’s Pies
– Mia San Mia Coffee
– Delish Ice Pops
– Mini’s Soft Serve
– Licensed Bar Area
– UWA Rugby Club Sausage Sizzle

Half-time
UWA AON Womens 7’S
The UWA AON 7’s Women’s team will be battling it out in a five-minute game to keep the rugby flowing so your time is filled with rugby action.

https://www.westernforce.com.au/game-day-information-western-force-v-fijian-drua/

 

[ForceFan]

Some good insights from young Cameron Orr.
Fantastic to have he and his brother Harrison part of the rebuilding of the Western Force in 2018.

https://www.westernforce.com.au/orr-making-a-difference-on-and-off-the-field/

 

[ForceFan]

Pretty useful side for the game against Fijian Drua.
Pleasing to see Chris Alcock's return.
Some good strength off the bench.

Form: WWLWWW

 

[ForceFan]

Fijian Drua team....(thanks RR)

1. Joeli Veitayaki, 2. Ratunasisa Navuma, 3. Benji Makutu, 4. Peni Naulago, 5. Albert Tuisue, 6. Mosese Voka (c), 7. Jone Navori, 8. Eremasi Radradro, 9. Frank Lomani, 10. Alivereti Veitokani, 11. Levani Kurumudu, 12. Cyril Reece, 13. Apisalome Vota, 14. Aporosa Tabulawaki, 15. Enele Malele
Replacements: 16. Mesulame Dolokoto, 17. Eroni Mawi, 18. Luke Tagi, 19. Tevita Naqali, 20. Johnny Dyer, 21. Seru Vularika, 22. Apisalome Waqatubu, 23. Lepani Raiyala

FORM:

W W L W W W

Impressive team mix:

• 7 players who have earned Test caps for Fiji Warriors (most capped Seru Vularika - 11)
• 8 players who played against the Western Force in Game 1 of WSR in May 2018.

 

[kiap]

Building up to an enticing clash!

​

Fiji powerhouse between Western Force and minor premiership​

​

Nick Taylor​

The West Australian​

Friday, 12 October 2018 3:33PM​

​

If championships were won on statistics alone NRC leaders Fiji Drua could be handed the winners trophy right now.​

​

But despite their daunting on-field numbers Fiji they are just one point ahead of Western Force. And the other figures mean nothing with the minor premiership and a guaranteed home semi-final on the line in Saturday afternoon’s clash at UWA Sports Park.​

​

…​

​

The breakdown is where the back-row trio of Tevin Ferris, Chris Alcock and Brynard Stander will be waiting to pounce while the powerful Force scrum will look to break open the Fijian forwards.​

​

“You can play them two ways,” Sampson said. “You can kick a lot of footy away and try and pin them down in their own half or try and retain possession, keep the ball and frustrate them.​

​

“We have to retain possession for long periods and I’m sure opportunities will open up … We just have to play what has worked for us, simple basic footy.”​

​

Read more: Clicky​

​

​

 

[kiap]

 

[Forcefield]

21-21 20 to play.

 

[Forcefield]

Drua 33-28. Means most likely Drua v Canberra next week and QLD Country v Force. Banking on two upsets.

 

[kiap]

Not a bad game. Fiji very dangerous – as we always knew – when they got the ball in broken play, especially when out wide.

The Force shut them down pretty well in the first half. But they blew multiple chances to score themselves and should have had more than a 14-7 advantage at the break.

As it turned out, that wasn't enough. Force won a lot of penalties from their scrum but took the wrong option in attack too often and gave the pill back. Nearly got 'em. Not quite.

The Drua forwards were solid too, despite the Force generally being on top at scrum time. Some big units in this Fijian team.

 

[RugbyReg]

Not a bad game. Fiji very dangerous – as we always knew – when they got the ball in broken play, especially when out wide.

The Force shut them down pretty well in the first half. But they blew multiple chances to score themselves and should have had more than a 14-7 advantage at the break.

As it turned out, that wasn't enough. Force won a lot of penalties from their scrum but took the wrong option in attack too often and gave the pill back. Nearly got 'em. Not quite.

The Drua forwards were solid too, despite the Force generally being on top at scrum time. Some big units in this Fijian team.

see that goes both ways. The Drua dropped a lot of ball. Heaps in that first half. If half of them stuck the score would have been more conclusive their way. As you say, the Force played terrific rugby for a Fijian opponent for the first quarter but started to move away from that and the Drua's momentum started to build from there.

 

[kiap]

see that goes both ways. The Drua dropped a lot of ball. Heaps in that first half. If half of them stuck the score would have been more conclusive their way. As you say, the Force played terrific rugby for a Fijian opponent for the first quarter but started to move away from that and the Drua's momentum started to build from there.

If you're suggesting scoring opportunities were 50:50 in the first half,

I don't agree.

 

[ForceFan]

Good win to the Drua who made the most of their opportunities.
Western Force now have to do things the hard way with potentially no home final.

 

[RugbyReg]

If you're suggesting scoring opportunities were 50:50 in the first half,

I don't agree.

no, that's not what I am saying. I'm saying the Force could have had a lot more on the board.

 

[Derpus]

So the two best teams in NRC have no involvement in Super rugby.

Any highlights around?