Western Force 2011

[TOCC]

Why is it even public what he did?

your right... why cant we have federally enforced censorship on such subjects

Members and Sponsorship account for 75% of the RugbyWA budget, its blatantly obvious why he has a case to answer.....

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

I don't believe sports people should have to be considered role models. All I ask is that they are held to the same behaviour standards as the rest of us. Shep has a poor track record and was pretty lucky to get away with what seems like a relatively light punishment. As a Force member, I want him to play, but not if he tarnishes the reputation of the team. The Force would benefit greatly in terms of market share by having a squeaky clean image, as it's a competitive advantage over a lot of the boofheads who play for the AFL teams here.

 

[Ruggo]

Ruggo

As I wrote on the last page:

• 5. Battye was a good surprise. I hadn't seen much of him before and thought he was a bit of a pussycat when I did, but the big unit played a heavy game and was active for a huge bloke.

Ham

In the context of a situation where his ball was not the greatest and playing with many guys not in the Tahs set up, I thought Hangers went as well as could be expected. He and some of the other backs weren't on the same page though.

Cheers Lee.

 

[Shiggins]

That is a shocking rap sheet. Even if it wasn't released people would find out through gossip.
That's probably worse and so it's most likely a good thing that it's out in the open and over and done with.

I work with a bloke who worked a door of a nightclub in Perth and he said shep always used to come in quite cut. The rock star of the force.

Here's to a good year shep but I really think he will do just above average and go over seas this year.

Who are we playing on thursday?

If anyone wants up to date force info and highlights of pre season games I recommend the force Facebook page. They do a great job.

Go the force!!!!

 

[Shiggins]

Just found out it's the tah's. I don't think we will go too well. I think we will fall away too the end of the game. I worry about the win against the " barbarian" team. Another 20 min , the game only went for 60 because of the heat, and they could have been right back in that game. I don't rate that game anywhere near super rugby level even with a few good players in the barbarian team. Also I read JOC (James O'Connor) will most likely start at 12 against the reds. I here Cummins had a good game for force A so maybe he and smith on the wings?


NSW team for Thursday.

NSW Waratahs: Kurtley Beale, Lachie Turner, Ryan Cross, Tom Carter, Drew Mitchell, Berrick Barnes, Luke Burgess, Wycliff Palu, Phil Waugh (capt), Ben Mowen, Dean Mumm, Kane Douglas, Al Baxter, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Sekope Kepu. Res: TBA
Go the force!!!!

 

[Gnostic]

Pretty close to what I think will be the first round team with Horne at 13 and Fat Cat at 1 the only changes I can see. The Farce may be in for some ouch time.

 

[en_force_er]

Palu, TPN and Kepu in the same team could see the Tahs playing some exciting rugger in the forwards for once, as long as someone else picks up the slack at ruck-time.

 

[Gagger]

Sounds like they're doing the sensible thing. A step closer to the new Wallaby 12

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/u...he-action-at-insidecentre-20110206-1aigd.html

 

[disco]

Sounds like they're doing the sensible thing. A step closer to the new Wallaby 12

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/u...he-action-at-insidecentre-20110206-1aigd.html

I still don't see JOC (James O'Connor) as a test #12 he'll be good at super rugby level. JOC (James O'Connor) is a class player but I'd keep him in the back 3.

 

[DPK]

"To make matters worse, halfback Brett Sheehan was bitten on the finger by a possum during the night."

Did they learn NOTHING from the Quokka incident!?

 

[Lee Grant]

One of your best Konze.

:lmao: :lmao: :lmao:

 

[MrTimms]

I still don't see JOC (James O'Connor) as a test #12 he'll be good at super rugby level. JOC (James O'Connor) is a class player but I'd keep him in the back 3.

He is a great centre, definitely his natural position. I hope he spends a bit of time there.

Sent from my Android using Tapatalk

 

[Stands]

"To make matters worse, halfback Brett Sheehan was bitten on the finger by a possum during the night."

Did they learn NOTHING from the Quokka incident!?

What the dickens was he doing? Has anybody else had their finger bitten by a possum by doing nothing?

 

[en_force_er]

http://www.smh.com.au/photogallery/...ralias-super-rugby-launch/20110208-1ald1.html

My god, he's a gigantic bald man who decided to be the only one not in a suite. Talk about sticking out.

 

[Ruggo]

I still don't see JOC (James O'Connor) as a test #12 he'll be good at super rugby level. JOC (James O'Connor) is a class player but I'd keep him in the back 3.

I see him being very Horan like at inside centre. He has a very similar skill set.

 

[Shiggins]

http://www.smh.com.au/photogallery/...ralias-super-rugby-launch/20110208-1ald1.html

My god, he's a gigantic bald man who decided to be the only one not in a suite. Talk about sticking out.

Hahah that is classic. Well done Sharpie. Your rugby players not doctors.

JOC (James O'Connor) would probably be the best 12 in Australia. I think we will always have good outsides but 12 has been a problem for a while with barns only offering something half decent. And JOC (James O'Connor)'s defense is also very good in that channel probably not as good as barns but he defiantly has the ability too make something happen from nothing and is very creative. Barns is a safe bet but.

Go the force!!!!

 

[Shiggins]

FORCE SQUAD TO PLAY WARATAHS
Wednesday, 9 February 2011 5:15pm
RugbyWA


James O'Connor training in Nowra
Emirates Western Force Coach Richard Graham has added four new faces and made five positional changes to the run-on side for the club’s final trial match against the Waratahs in Nowra on Thursday evening.

One of the key moves will see young gun James O’Connor take the playmaker role at 10 with Willie Ripia rested after having his foot trampled in last Saturday’s win against the Barbarians. Coach Richard Graham said it was just a precaution to keep Ripia out as he took a view to the regular season kick-off in a week and a half.

“You might recall that James played a number of games at 10 early last season, this opportunity is another way of assisting his development,” Graham said.

“The more times he gets his hands on the ball, the more decisions he has to make under pressure I think the better it will be for his career in the long term.”

Other moves include Richard Brown resuming his No.8 duties while Ben McCalman moves to the second row to partner towering youngster Phoenix Battye. Matt Hodgson changes to the blindside flank while Jono Jenkins starts in the seven jersey.

Of the new faces it’s a welcome return to action for Cameron Shepherd who takes on the fullback responsibilities while Nick Cummins, who scored two tries for the Emirates Western Force ‘A’ side last weekend, starts on the wing in place of David Smith.

It will be an interesting clash in the 13 position as new Emirates Western Force recruit Rory Sidey starts against his former side and opposite Waratahs centre Ryan Cross who made the switch from Perth to Sydney in the off-season.

“The changes give me an opportunity to look at others but I also want to make places in the side as competitive as we possibly can going into the first game,” said Graham.

“We’re expecting a physical encounter, most of things that have come from their camp has been about increasing their size over pre-season and I think that is fairly noticeable.

“They played well off Berrick (Barnes) in their last trial and will probably be looking to do more of that this season than they did last. We’ll need to be aware of that and counter where necessary.”

Super Rugby Trial
EMIRATES WESTERN FORCE v WARATAHS
Thursday 10 February at Shoalhaven Rugby Park, Nowra
Kick-off: 7:30pm (AEDT)

1. Pek Cowan
2. Nathan Charles
3.Tim Fairbrother
4. Phoenix Battye
5. Ben McCalman
6. Matt Hodgson (Captain)
7. Jono Jenkins
8. Richard Brown
9. James Stannard
10. James O’Connor
11. Alfie Mafi
12. Gene Fairbanks
13. Rory Sidey
14. Nick Cummins
15. Cameron Shepherd

Please also note that the curtain raiser match will now see an Invitational side replace the Emirates Western Force ‘A’ against the Junior Waratahs. The Invitational side will feature a number of Emirates Western Force players as well as a contingent of local NSW club players.

--------

Defiantly not our best team but an interesting one. I just hope for no injuries and a respectable score.


Go the force!!!!

 

[Groucho]

Palu, TPN and Kepu in the same team could see the Tahs playing some exciting rugger in the forwards for once, as long as someone else picks up the slack at ruck-time.

Both Palu and TPN are extremely effective in the tight.

 

[Groucho]

Hahah that is classic. Well done Sharpie. Your rugby players not doctors.

JOC (James O'Connor) would probably be the best 12 in Australia. I think we will always have good outsides but 12 has been a problem for a while with barns only offering something half decent. And JOC (James O'Connor)'s defense is also very good in that channel probably not as good as barns but he defiantly has the ability too make something happen from nothing and is very creative. Barns is a safe bet but.

Go the force!!!!

Great photo.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

Yeah nice one Sharpie. The other blokes looking very dapper in their suits (especially Hoiles) and you rock up in a polo shirt