Super Rugby AU Round 7 - Force vs Waratahs @ Robina - Friday 14 August

[molman]

Huge win given they never back up performances.

I feel of the possible teams to come up against after the Reds, The Force were probably be kinder option compared to a Rebels with wind in thier sail or a Brumbies looking for redemption. The Brumbies next week in Canberra will give us a better sense of where the Tahs are at. I've got to say it's nice just to get another win.

 

[formerflanker]

Fine, but rugby's obsession with calling shit back sucks.

I dont wanna see a bunch of maul and pick and drive tries. It sucks. And thats why there are literally 3 people in the stand.

Agreed.
The 'Tah's 19 phases just before oranges saw your classic old school European battlefield tactics - send all your attackers to exactly the same point as all of the opposition's defenders. Right next to the breakdown.
Ignore the speedy backs just 20 meters away with nothing but empty space in front of them.
Result - nil points, held up over the try line, off to the sheds.

 

[Rugbynutter39]

Gee Ralston is a talent. He's consistently dangerous with the ball.

Yep worthy of call up for Wallabies squad place - not in the 23 yet - but certainly a squad place and talent that should be under the radar

 

[Rugbynutter39]

Tahs always seemed in control of that one.

Force spirited performance but lacking that bit of extra quality players needed which of course understandable given where rapid rugby pitched at etc...

In off season need to recruit a couple more key players and assuming the cheque book out and options under consideration...

 

[Dan54]

True RN, Force my 2nd team in this comp, but I have to say they play like a good NRC team, and as you say that was where they were pitched, I think a few stars bought in would elevate them quite a bit, as they seem well coached.
Wonder if someone will remind Lance that without crowd you can here most stuff on fleid including a F*** you yell as your kick didn't seem to be going where you want, it was so clear son and I had a great chuckle.
I do like the way the Tahs are progressing. With the Force, I not sure if I was picking a Wallaby team, there is none I would as yet pick.

 

[Forcefield]

The Force need someone who can win a line-out. What did we lose? More than 8? I reckon if our line-out was as good as the Tahs it would have been a much, much tighter game.

Agree Dan, no real Wallaby contenders but Godwin, Ralston and Lee-Warner all looked pretty good. I like Strachan at the back mixing things up a bit.

 

[Brumby Runner]

Impressed again with the Tahs attacking game. Last week was not an aberration but a step in the new direction. Saying that. though, I thought the Force were closer to them than the scoreboard indicated.

First game I've seen Will Harrison play flat and set up backline plays. He was extra good. Ramm and Maddocks were again very strong at the back.

I thought the Force scrum was treated a bit badly by Berry, and that his decision making in general play was a bit wayward as well. He needs to show improvement.

For the Force, I reckon Prior finished the better of the two starting No 9s. Godwin had 13 on his back but was the best No 12 on the field. Ralston is improving but still many wing contenders for Wallabies in front of him. Stander was outStandering.

 

[Th0mo]

I thought the Force scrum was treated a bit badly by Berry, and that his decision making in general play was a bit wayward as well. He needs to show improvement.

I thought Berry was very generous to the Force scrum with Longbottom angling in, but much more obviously changing his bind (not allowed) often on to the arm (also not ok even if got on there first time) directly in front of the ref. Sadly the break did nothing for any of the refs form.

 

[formerflanker]

Tahs always seemed in control of that one.

Force spirited performance but lacking that bit of extra quality players needed which of course understandable given where rapid rugby pitched at etc.

In off season need to recruit a couple more key players and assuming the cheque book out and options under consideration.

The Force certainly have cemented their place back in the five Ozzie franchises as a permanent fixture.

 

[WorkingClassRugger]

The Force certainly have cemented their place back in the five Ozzie franchises as a permanent fixture.

They're not too far off the mark. Just need a few good recruits to make them a threat in every game. I'm actually happy for them to continue to look overseas for talent as well. As long as they provide that pathway for local WA talent then what they need to do to ensure a competitive squads is fine by me. They've been my 2nd team since inception and I'm happy to see them back.

 

[ForceFan]

A win continues to be elusive but more than happy with many of the personal efforts and general standard of the game. Young Jake Strachan certainly didn't look out of place. Good to see Prior's return.

 

[Rebels3]

A win continues to be elusive but more than happy with many of the personal efforts and general standard of the game. Young Jake Strachan certainly didn't look out of place. Good to see Prior's return.

The pack is working okay but it lacks a link to the backs. Stowers and Stander are sharing this role but they are clearly more suited to the tight stuff. Should look to introduce a tight 5 player that’s capable of a little bit of ball playing (engage the line and draw the ball back to a second phase attack) and allocate someone in the pack with good speed to chew up meters in the wider channels and free up some tram tracks for the winger (this can also mean wingers might play a little shallower and free up more space to hit corners in the backfield).

Koteka played decent especially for a first start but I think Ferris has looked a class act and been missed. In the backs I think they will look to find someone to take Laceys spot

 

[Rugbynutter39]

The pack is working okay but it lacks a link to the backs. Stowers and Stander are sharing this role but they are clearly more suited to the tight stuff. Should look to introduce a tight 5 player that’s capable of a little bit of ball playing (engage the line and draw the ball back to a second phase attack) and allocate someone in the pack with good speed to chew up meters in the wider channels and free up some tram tracks for the winger (this can also mean wingers might play a little shallower and free up more space to hit corners in the backfield).

Koteka played decent especially for a first start but I think Ferris has looked a class act and been missed. In the backs I think they will look to find someone to take Laceys spot

Force shown not far off the pace and considering no wallaby players amongst them have exceeded expectations which credit to their setup and coaching staff. Recruitment wise yes they need to open the cheque book but as well backed by twiggy financially with also recent Grassroots funding I see good times ahead for the Force. Great to have them back in the mix as WA rugby important part of the national footprint.

 

[Rugbynutter39]

The Force need someone who can win a line-out. What did we lose? More than 8? I reckon if our line-out was as good as the Tahs it would have been a much, much tighter game.

Agree Dan, no real Wallaby contenders but Godwin, Ralston and Lee-Warner all looked pretty good. I like Strachan at the back mixing things up a bit.

like to see lee warner at 6

 

[Forcefield]

Me too, but hard to see Stowers or Stander dropped.

 

[Tahtrajic]

like to see lee warner at 6

He doesn’t have the pace of it. But he’s had a good comp so far.

 

[Hawko]

I thought Berry was very generous to the Force scrum with Longbottom angling in, but much more obviously changing his bind (not allowed) often on to the arm (also not ok even if got on there first time) directly in front of the ref. Sadly the break did nothing for any of the refs form.

I thought Graeme Cooper in his first time out last week was pretty good. It's the experienced refs, especially Angus Gardener, that I think are not doing well.

 

[Rebels3]

Force shown not far off the pace and considering no wallaby players amongst them have exceeded expectations which credit to their setup and coaching staff. Recruitment wise yes they need to open the cheque book but as well backed by twiggy financially with also recent Grassroots funding I see good times ahead for the Force. Great to have them back in the mix as WA rugby important part of the national footprint.

Agreed. I think they are only 2/3 quality players from been someone that can regularly contend with the others for finals spots.

 

[Rebels3]

One thing that annoyed me last night was the Fullbacks name. Is it pronounced Strawn or Stracken. Everyone I have ever come across with the last name Strachan is pronounced Stracken. Can someone clarify how it’s pronounced and if it was the commentators horribly off the mark or it is actually pronounced differently.

 

[barbarian]

One element of the Waratahs game that's really improved is their kicking, both from hand and from the tee.

Ramm and Maddocks were chewing off 40m with regularity, and more on occasion. Harrison's goalkicking has been as good as I've seen from an Aussie player since Mike Harris.

An underrated element of our resurgence.