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SRP (Super Rugby Pacific) Round 1 25/02/23 Force v Rebels

Dctarget

Dctarget

Tim Horan (67)
Clash of the titans, pretty safe bet this is a preview of the grand final.

I'd say Force should win this convincingly after last year's effort. Also with the injuries the Rebels already have. We're not going to see Nu'u, Kellaway and of course Philip and Leota. Assuming Pone is also out because he always is. Force seem less interrupted by injuries. Expecting Robertson to get red carded in the 55th minute but for the Force to hold on.
 
Equalizer

Equalizer

Trevor Allan (34)
The Force squad looks to have added the depth we've always struggled with. A recent radio spot over here had CEO Tony Lewis stressing how this opening game is a MUST WIN. He is no doubt well aware that although we are hellishly loyal and parochial here in the West, the fans have been waiting a long long time to see some consistent season long performances. We cannot afford to start with a losing record and be chasing the ladder all season, particularly with the opening game at home. Strong attendance figures will be tested if the team opens flat.

The preseason trials, although patchy shouldn't be a crystal ball to 2023 results. They are a means to an end. Cron will have gotten what he needs to see and we await with interest how he views the starting line for the first game. Ex Rebels mug Michael Wells has been reborn as a top bloke, battle field general, inspirational leader and aggressive hard charging Captain with the Force. What a difference a change of environment can make (insert smiley face here)

We see in 2023 that the Force being back in Super Rugby is starting to bare fruit with more and more WA product coming from the academy with aggressive promotion to the main squad list. Coupled with some crafty veterans and intelligent recruitment from NZ and UK the Force could be a nice surprise once the Cron coaching kicks in.
 
KevinO

KevinO

Geoff Shaw (53)
Worst thing in rugby, away game round 1.

I think this game really is a 50/50. Hoping for some fit piggies from the Rebels, back row is really going to need to carry the backs for a couple of weeks.
 
Dctarget

Dctarget

Tim Horan (67)
KevinO said:
Worst thing in rugby, away game round 1.

I think this game really is a 50/50. Hoping for some fit piggies from the Rebels, back row is really going to need to carry the backs for a couple of weeks.
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for a couple weeks? What changes in a couple weeks? Nu'u surely isn't coming back and Kellaway can only do so much from 14.
 
KevinO

KevinO

Geoff Shaw (53)
Dctarget said:
for a couple weeks? What changes in a couple weeks? Nu'u surely isn't coming back and Kellaway can only do so much from 14.
Click to expand...
Time to settle and get use to formations takes a couple of weeks, don't think they have had enough runs together to build any cohesion yet
 
Dctarget

Dctarget

Tim Horan (67)
KevinO said:
Time to settle and get use to formations takes a couple of weeks, don't think they have had enough runs together to build any cohesion yet
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Interesting. Cohesion is one thing I'm not too worried about with all the games last year in Japan and half of them coming from Wests. Just actual lack of quality is my main concern.
 
swingpass

swingpass

Peter Sullivan (51)
interesting competition the Rebels are running on FB, name the first round stating XV, gives an indication who is (at this stage of the week ) fit for selection, of the doubtful as distinct from the no chance, no Hosea, but Gibbon is an option, so is Pone F. all the other usual suspects.
 
todd4

todd4

Dave Cowper (27)
Not sure of the stats but IIRC the Force usually start the season with a loss. Hope things are different this year.
 
Equalizer

Equalizer

Trevor Allan (34)
31 degrees predicted on Saturday here in Perth with around 27 degrees at kickoff. Could come down to conditioning in the 2nd half. Hopefully we are up by 25 points at that stage ;)

Bring on the team lists already!!
 
Equalizer

Equalizer

Trevor Allan (34)
Teams have split their last 4 encounters going back to 2021. Always close games but it would be nice to come out firing and get the W at home.
 
Dctarget

Dctarget

Tim Horan (67)
swingpass said:
interesting competition the Rebels are running on FB, name the first round stating XV, gives an indication who is (at this stage of the week ) fit for selection, of the doubtful as distinct from the no chance, no Hosea, but Gibbon is an option, so is Pone F. all the other usual suspects.
Click to expand...
No Maiava either.

What happened to Tom Nowlan? I thought he went alright.

Also that they list Hardwick as an option at 8 with Ioane as some of us predicted.
 
RugbyReg

RugbyReg

Rocky Elsom (76)
Staff member
From Opta:

MEL v FOR.JPG
 
Dctarget

Dctarget

Tim Horan (67)
Good stuff, how do the Rebels have the "highest carry dominance rate" in the league yet beat the fewest defenders?
 
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