Super Rugby Rnd 1: Brumbies v Force
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Rugbynutter39
Michael Lynagh (62)
yeh just finished the relay - great game. Congrats to brumbies for the win but equally to the force who I fully (majority) underestimated. Lots to like from both sides.
Rugbynutter39
Michael Lynagh (62)
Looks like rodda wants his wallaby jersey back.
Rebel man
John Thornett (49)
For mine as cliche as it sounds the Force did the basics right. Took the points on offer to keep in touch and then attacked from there.
Rugbynutter39
Michael Lynagh (62)
Also bench performed well for the force …particularly the backs fines, McIntyre and kahui notable for me.
Adam84
Rod McCall (65)
He did some strong carries, constantly passed the advantage like
Rebel man
John Thornett (49)
I am still only 60 minutes in
Brumby Runner
Jason Little (69)
IMO, the best game of the weekend. Some really good performances on both sides, and result could have gone either way.
Some general observations.
1. Brumbies were more competitive at the breakdown than they have been in recent years. Big change in tactics as far as I can see;
2. Brumbies lineout, while not functioning in the first half as good as hoped, was again more competitive on opposition throw.
3. Dan McKellar's intent to play a more physical game showed through.
4. Starting scrum dominated the Force 8, but Force hit back in second half.
5. Force lineout dominant in first half but Brumbies hit back in second half.
6. Both teams will win more than they lose in local derbies.
Some general observations.
1. Brumbies were more competitive at the breakdown than they have been in recent years. Big change in tactics as far as I can see;
2. Brumbies lineout, while not functioning in the first half as good as hoped, was again more competitive on opposition throw.
3. Dan McKellar's intent to play a more physical game showed through.
4. Starting scrum dominated the Force 8, but Force hit back in second half.
5. Force lineout dominant in first half but Brumbies hit back in second half.
6. Both teams will win more than they lose in local derbies.
Derpus
Nathan Sharpe (72)
Close game with a couple tries right at the end - thought it was overall a really good game. I thought the Force played better for large portions of the game and were pretty unlucky not to come away with a win.
Key moments for me were Anstee getting held up, when Fines put Koteka (i think) clean through with an inch perfect pass only for it to be perplexingly called back and Godwin/Force failing to find touch or effectively clear with a minute to go.
The non-forward pass in particular precipitated a big momentum swing. The Brumbies were over for another maul try only a few plays later.
rando thoughts on players:
- Kaitu'u continues to impress. He should again be in competition for the 2 jersey this year. FF (Folau Fainga'a) also reminded us why we were all so surprised to see him in the 2 jersey last year - a forgettable outing.
- all the locks impressed and had key involvements. FLW (Fergus Lee-Warner) assisted a try, Rodda was busy and carried well, Swain made some big plays on the defensive side.
- Samu and Valetini were pretty anonymous.
- Pulu is a very tidy winger. Reliable finisher, always makes meters when carrying and is strong on the defensive side of things. I hope he stays injury free because AFAIK he is Wallaby eligible.
- Stupid sexy Kahui
- I thought Noah all in all was pretty shit. He had a neat touch for the Brumbies first try but that was about it. Dropped the ball cold twice in a row.
Key moments for me were Anstee getting held up, when Fines put Koteka (i think) clean through with an inch perfect pass only for it to be perplexingly called back and Godwin/Force failing to find touch or effectively clear with a minute to go.
The non-forward pass in particular precipitated a big momentum swing. The Brumbies were over for another maul try only a few plays later.
rando thoughts on players:
- Kaitu'u continues to impress. He should again be in competition for the 2 jersey this year. FF (Folau Fainga'a) also reminded us why we were all so surprised to see him in the 2 jersey last year - a forgettable outing.
- all the locks impressed and had key involvements. FLW (Fergus Lee-Warner) assisted a try, Rodda was busy and carried well, Swain made some big plays on the defensive side.
- Samu and Valetini were pretty anonymous.
- Pulu is a very tidy winger. Reliable finisher, always makes meters when carrying and is strong on the defensive side of things. I hope he stays injury free because AFAIK he is Wallaby eligible.
- Stupid sexy Kahui
- I thought Noah all in all was pretty shit. He had a neat touch for the Brumbies first try but that was about it. Dropped the ball cold twice in a row.
Rugbynutter39
Michael Lynagh (62)
Stupid sexy kahui - not sure what you mean - sounds negative as I thought he made excellent touches including contribution towards one try and try saving ankle tap.
chiraag
Larry Dwyer (12)
Disappointing result, but very promising signs for the force. They looked the better team.
That forward pass call was a travesty and how the brumbies didn't have a yellow card or two in the first half between the Swain late hit, white holding onto the ball on the wrong side of the ruck 2m out from the line, then taking out a player off the ball from an offside position and the white swinging haymaker to the player on the ground was somewhat incredulous.
Force attacked looked so much better than last year. The contrast was night and day really. Even McIntyre looked good. I expected a drubbing at the hands of the brumbies as is normally the case, so bodes well for the season to come.
Good to see Tom Wright back in some form as well. That one handed pick up was crazy good. Throwing the ball at Anstee after his try was a bad look though
That forward pass call was a travesty and how the brumbies didn't have a yellow card or two in the first half between the Swain late hit, white holding onto the ball on the wrong side of the ruck 2m out from the line, then taking out a player off the ball from an offside position and the white swinging haymaker to the player on the ground was somewhat incredulous.
Force attacked looked so much better than last year. The contrast was night and day really. Even McIntyre looked good. I expected a drubbing at the hands of the brumbies as is normally the case, so bodes well for the season to come.
Good to see Tom Wright back in some form as well. That one handed pick up was crazy good. Throwing the ball at Anstee after his try was a bad look though
Derpus
Nathan Sharpe (72)
Pretty sure Anstee kneed him in the head
chiraag
Larry Dwyer (12)
While trying to tackle him. When is it ever ok to throw a ball at a player like that? This isn't rugby league.
Dismal Pillock
Michael Lynagh (62)
Tomikin
David Codey (61)
Nothing in ever of it.. late knee sliding and a bit of come on with the ball throw.. both not needed but still nothing to write about
Derpus
Nathan Sharpe (72)
aging like a fine wine
D-Box
Cyril Towers (30)
I reckon anstee did his best to pull out as well
Rebel man
John Thornett (49)
To be fair to White it was a line ball call who was in possession
Drew
Bob Davidson (42)
Same as with Swinton at the Tahs, does he think if he’s provoked and he loses his cool and retaliates the opposition are you going to stop doing it?
D-Box
Cyril Towers (30)
The worse part about the "forward" pass is that it was probably a score in two phases or not at all type situation. If borderline let it go and then come back and check.
It also came after so much was let go early. For instance in the two Brumbies line outs the first one went straight to one and was nowhere near the channel. When White came around he was running inside the 5 m channel (and then threw it forward). No official blinked an eye
It also came after so much was let go early. For instance in the two Brumbies line outs the first one went straight to one and was nowhere near the channel. When White came around he was running inside the 5 m channel (and then threw it forward). No official blinked an eye
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