Western Force v Malaysia Valke - HBF Park, Perth - 6:30 PM (WST), Friday, 9 August 2019
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ForceFan
Peter Fenwicke (45)
Perth to host rugby feast
Global Rapid Rugby - July 8, 2019
Less than 24 hours before the historic Bledisloe Cup clash between the Wallabies and All Blacks in Perth, West Australia’s Western Force will put its unbeaten Rapid Rugby record on the line against Malaysia’s best, supported by South African Currie Cup team The Falcons.
With a family friendly kick-off time of 6.30pm on Friday, August 9, entry just $10, and an influx of rugby loving visitors in town, a big crowd is expected at Perth’s HBF Park.
The clash rounds out a 14 game Showcase Series in which Rapid Rugby’s high-octane 70-minute mix of sport and entertainment was introduced in six locations across five countries – Hong Kong, Singapore, Fiji, New Zealand, and Australia.
Matches in Perth have seen almost 60 points and 8.5 tries scored on average as players enjoy the freedom of Rapid Rugby’s laws that highlight their skill with ball in hand and provide spectators a fast, end-to-end, fun and exciting game day experience.
Malaysia Valke will bring a talented and well-drilled squad to HBF Park.
Former Wallaby Matt Hodgson, who heads up the rugby operations team at Global Rapid Rugby, said utilising the high performance and player resources of established rugby nations like South Africa to bolster local resources in emerging Asian rugby destinations has benefits for all involved.
“There is no question about the growth potential of rugby in Asia and right from the very early stages of establishing Global Rapid Rugby we have worked hard to develop a model to unlock that potential,” Hodgson said.
“Being able to offer support and experience through a mutually beneficial exchange is key to helping fast track rugby in these markets.”
Spectacular off-field entertainment has also been a feature of Rapid Rugby and the final match of 2019 will again include fireworks, performers and hair-raising stunts.
Global Rapid Rugby - July 8, 2019
Less than 24 hours before the historic Bledisloe Cup clash between the Wallabies and All Blacks in Perth, West Australia’s Western Force will put its unbeaten Rapid Rugby record on the line against Malaysia’s best, supported by South African Currie Cup team The Falcons.
With a family friendly kick-off time of 6.30pm on Friday, August 9, entry just $10, and an influx of rugby loving visitors in town, a big crowd is expected at Perth’s HBF Park.
The clash rounds out a 14 game Showcase Series in which Rapid Rugby’s high-octane 70-minute mix of sport and entertainment was introduced in six locations across five countries – Hong Kong, Singapore, Fiji, New Zealand, and Australia.
Matches in Perth have seen almost 60 points and 8.5 tries scored on average as players enjoy the freedom of Rapid Rugby’s laws that highlight their skill with ball in hand and provide spectators a fast, end-to-end, fun and exciting game day experience.
Malaysia Valke will bring a talented and well-drilled squad to HBF Park.
Former Wallaby Matt Hodgson, who heads up the rugby operations team at Global Rapid Rugby, said utilising the high performance and player resources of established rugby nations like South Africa to bolster local resources in emerging Asian rugby destinations has benefits for all involved.
“There is no question about the growth potential of rugby in Asia and right from the very early stages of establishing Global Rapid Rugby we have worked hard to develop a model to unlock that potential,” Hodgson said.
“Being able to offer support and experience through a mutually beneficial exchange is key to helping fast track rugby in these markets.”
Spectacular off-field entertainment has also been a feature of Rapid Rugby and the final match of 2019 will again include fireworks, performers and hair-raising stunts.
ForceFan
Peter Fenwicke (45)
Undefeated record on the line
August 8, 2019
Friday night’s battle between the Western Force and Malaysia Valke will see two well drilled, entertaining and in-form sides go head to head at HBF Park in the final Global Rapid Rugby Showcase match of 2019.
The Force are yet to lose in nine showcase games, while their opponents, made up of first team players from South African side the Falcons, are also unbeaten in their 2019 Currie Cup campaign.
Both sides will run extended squads, the Force naming 26 players, including a number of local West Australians, as well as trialling Tongan excitement machine Halaufa Lavaka. A former rugby league player with the Manly Sea Eagles, Lavaka recently completed a two-year Mormon mission and is focussed on reigniting his professional career.
The Valke side has a strong South African flavour but also includes 2 Malaysia 15s players, Badrul Bin Muktee and Samuel Meran as part of the first steps in a proactive partnership between the Falcons and Malaysia Rugby Union to develop and grow the game.
With a significant South African presence, a typically forward dominated style could have been expected, however Head Coach JP Immelman said his side preferred an up-tempo game and were looking forward to playing under the Rapid Rugby laws that encourage more ball in play.
“Over the past five years we have been one of the few South African teams that has been trying to really play a more open and expanded type of running rugby game and I think that suits Rapid Rugby,” Immelman said.
“We like to run and play from our 22 so hopefully a Power Try or two might come.
“The incentive to keep the ball alive, and to really run and play with the ball, get the forwards making passes and moving makes it an enjoyable game to watch. That kind of injection into the game of rugby is what the fans want.
“I think the way that Rapid Rugby has approached it is very positive,” Immelman added.
The battle of backrow will be one to watch as Valke’s line breaking loose trio match up against WA young guns Tevin Ferris and Carlo Tizzano, as well as the Force’s own South African standout, Brynard Stander.
Former All Black Jeremy Thrush, who represented New Zealand 12 times, will captain the Force just 24 hours before New Zealand and Australia go to battle in the first Bledisloe Cup to be played in Perth.
The Force will also be boosted with the return of veteran scrumhalf Ian Prior who has recovered from a pectoral injury that has kept sidelined him for 12 weeks.
https://www.rapidrugby.com/record-on-the-line/
Some more about the Valke: https://valke.co.za/
and
https://www.rapidrugby.com/valke-embrace-new-horizons/
Pre-game from 4:20 PM: Perth schoolboys will get a taste of Rapid Rugby on the big house as the Western Force School Boys All-Stars team takes on local School Champs Aranmore Catholic College. Winners to participate in an East Coast Rugby Tour.
Tonga Test Team V Western Force: Tonga Rugby have invited the Western Force to be part of Tonga's RWC preparation with a game in Tonga on 24 August. Tonga will also play Canada on 9 August and New Zealand on 7 September.
ForceFan
Peter Fenwicke (45)
At this stage yes.
Should be playing NRC and hoping to be part of the action next year.
ForceFan
Peter Fenwicke (45)
Fantastic night of entertaining rugby.
The Valke maybe the 9th best team in the Curry Cup but found the pace of Global Rapid Rugby and the rule changes just too mutch against a very disciplined Western Force.
The WF came out winners 74:10.
6 local club players were chosen in the extended 26 man squad.
Crowd was 8,537 - not bad for a Friday night before Bled 1.
(Compares well with most Super Rugby games in Oz during 2019.)
View of the central portion of the East Stand at HBF last night. Not a bad seat in the stand - great viewing.
Always the most visible part of the Sea of Blue.
FORCE HOLD ONTO UNBEATEN RAPID RUGBY RECORD
August 9, 2019
After what has been an immensely successful season of Global Rapid Rugby, the Western Force have maintained their unbeaten record in 2019 with a thumping 74-10 victory over the touring Malaysia Valke side, making it their largest-ever win in Global Rapid Rugby history.
With Andrew Forrest announcing earlier in the day the expansion of Global Rapid Rugby into 2020, there was much to look forward to at HBF Park with more exciting pre-match entertainment that included the winner of Australia’s ‘Voice’ competition, Sam Perry and another startling fireworks display, setting up for what would be a high scoring affair.
Both sides were explosive out of the blocks early on, making their presence felt physically with some huge hits.
Force Fullback Jack McGregor copped the brunt of the Valke’s physicality after conceding a bruising hit inside the first three minutes.
The Valke took front foot ascendancy early in the game, starving the Force of possession and claiming some valuable territory early on.
The Force didn’t take long after to adapt to the Valke’s style and bring back their infamous quick-thinking style on the field leaving the Malaysian side empty-handed after some savage Force defence.
Lethal half-back Issak Fines waved his magic wand to score the first try of the game for the Force after pouncing on a simple mistake from the Valke and using a chip and chase to cross the white chalk.
The Western Force slowly started to take a grip on the game, engulfing the Valke defence with some blistering attack that would eventually overwhelm the Valke.
The game well and truly swung in favour of the Force after a rare power try from outside centre Nick Jooste. After a season blighted with injury, Nick Jooste combined with winger Rod Davies carved up the Valke defence to put Jack McGregor into space, who would then go on to set up Nick Jooste for his first power try in Force colours.
Despite already contributing heavily with the ball in hand, Issak Fines punished the Valke yet again with his second try of the game as he swooped on another knock-on off the back of a messy scrum to diagnose himself with white line fever.
Looking to head into the sheds at half-time in a positive manner, the Force decided to flex their muscles with a Herculean like rolling maul to set Heath Tessman up for a sizzling try, giving themselves a healthy lead at the half-time break, while the Valke knew full well they needed a giant response in the second half to stay in touch with the unforgiving home side.
The Force rained hell on the Valke in the second term, scoring another six tries along with a second power try through Andrew Deegan who took the high ground with ball in hand, showing an acute awareness to find space and leading a venomous Force backline that cut through the Valke defence like a hot knife through butter.
While the Valke added respectability to the scoreline with two tries in the second half, it didn’t overshadow the unbelievable performance from the Western Force who swallowed up the Malaysia Valke to claim another win in 2019.
https://www.westernforce.com.au/force-hold-onto-unbeaten-rapid-rugby-record/
The Valke maybe the 9th best team in the Curry Cup but found the pace of Global Rapid Rugby and the rule changes just too mutch against a very disciplined Western Force.
The WF came out winners 74:10.
6 local club players were chosen in the extended 26 man squad.
Crowd was 8,537 - not bad for a Friday night before Bled 1.
(Compares well with most Super Rugby games in Oz during 2019.)
View of the central portion of the East Stand at HBF last night. Not a bad seat in the stand - great viewing.
Always the most visible part of the Sea of Blue.
FORCE HOLD ONTO UNBEATEN RAPID RUGBY RECORD
August 9, 2019
After what has been an immensely successful season of Global Rapid Rugby, the Western Force have maintained their unbeaten record in 2019 with a thumping 74-10 victory over the touring Malaysia Valke side, making it their largest-ever win in Global Rapid Rugby history.
With Andrew Forrest announcing earlier in the day the expansion of Global Rapid Rugby into 2020, there was much to look forward to at HBF Park with more exciting pre-match entertainment that included the winner of Australia’s ‘Voice’ competition, Sam Perry and another startling fireworks display, setting up for what would be a high scoring affair.
Both sides were explosive out of the blocks early on, making their presence felt physically with some huge hits.
Force Fullback Jack McGregor copped the brunt of the Valke’s physicality after conceding a bruising hit inside the first three minutes.
The Valke took front foot ascendancy early in the game, starving the Force of possession and claiming some valuable territory early on.
The Force didn’t take long after to adapt to the Valke’s style and bring back their infamous quick-thinking style on the field leaving the Malaysian side empty-handed after some savage Force defence.
Lethal half-back Issak Fines waved his magic wand to score the first try of the game for the Force after pouncing on a simple mistake from the Valke and using a chip and chase to cross the white chalk.
The Western Force slowly started to take a grip on the game, engulfing the Valke defence with some blistering attack that would eventually overwhelm the Valke.
The game well and truly swung in favour of the Force after a rare power try from outside centre Nick Jooste. After a season blighted with injury, Nick Jooste combined with winger Rod Davies carved up the Valke defence to put Jack McGregor into space, who would then go on to set up Nick Jooste for his first power try in Force colours.
Despite already contributing heavily with the ball in hand, Issak Fines punished the Valke yet again with his second try of the game as he swooped on another knock-on off the back of a messy scrum to diagnose himself with white line fever.
Looking to head into the sheds at half-time in a positive manner, the Force decided to flex their muscles with a Herculean like rolling maul to set Heath Tessman up for a sizzling try, giving themselves a healthy lead at the half-time break, while the Valke knew full well they needed a giant response in the second half to stay in touch with the unforgiving home side.
The Force rained hell on the Valke in the second term, scoring another six tries along with a second power try through Andrew Deegan who took the high ground with ball in hand, showing an acute awareness to find space and leading a venomous Force backline that cut through the Valke defence like a hot knife through butter.
While the Valke added respectability to the scoreline with two tries in the second half, it didn’t overshadow the unbelievable performance from the Western Force who swallowed up the Malaysia Valke to claim another win in 2019.
https://www.westernforce.com.au/force-hold-onto-unbeaten-rapid-rugby-record/
ForceFan
Peter Fenwicke (45)
Forceful finish a fitting finale
August 9, 2019
The Western Force put an exclamation mark on their Global Rapid Rugby Showcase campaign, running in 10 tries, including two electrifying Power Tries, to maintain their unbeaten run and finish their final game with a 74-10 victory over Malaysia Valke.
Eight Force players crossed the try line with in-form scrumhalf Issak Fines and speedy fullback Jack McGregor each scoring a brace. After racing out to a 30-0 lead at half time the West Australian’s maintained their intensity to add another 44 points in a clinical display of hard running rugby.
A cagey first ten minutes saw the Valke applying pressure on the Force who also had to contend with losing starting hooker Feleti Kaitu’u to a lower leg injury. After some hard work by the forwards in midfield, a stunning chip and regather from Isaak Fines saw him touch down for the Force’s first points of the game with the conversion from Andrew Deegan bisecting the posts.
The Force continued to exert pressure, with their fluid running game and obvious comfort with the rules holding them in good stead. Nevertheless, the Valke were able to fight their way into the game with a series of penalties pushing them down into Force territory. Their pack scrapped to keep the ball moving forward and mixed in with some hard lines from their outside backs started to pay dividends.
However, in true Rapid Rugby style, the Force struck with no warning. Nick Jooste with an outside break within ten metres of his try line passed the ball to Rod Davies who took advantage of a gap out wide and sped down the pitch. After some interplay between McGregor and Davies, Jooste found himself as creator and finisher of an outstanding 9 point power try.
The Valke showing plenty of effort and obviously keen to assert themselves in the power game, could not seem to find a way through. They were unable to maintain possession with their early forward pod carries and the Force pounced on handling errors and a lack of ruck control.
In an historic moment, Samuel Meran took the pitch as a replacement for the Valke, the first Malaysian rugby player to compete in Rapid Rugby. However, his introduction did not bring the Valke any respite from the Force assault. Locked in their 22m, Valke’s Errol Jaggers went for a chip kick to relieve the pressure. The kick was fumbled and Isaac Fines with all his predatory instincts swooped and weaved the 10 meters back to dot down under the posts. Things went from bad to worse for the visitors moments later when Force replacement hooker Heath Tessman found himself at the back of a short distance driving maul to extend the Force’s lead even further.
Half time couldn’t come quick enough for Valke. While they would have been hoping to mak an early statement in the second half, the Force picked up where they left off.
Waves of Force attacks saw space open for Deegan to find McGregor out wide on a hard line and he strolled over untouched to extend the lead. The Valke seemed sparked into action with those points and began a concerted effort to claw themselves back into the game. Their perseverance on the Force line eventually paid off. A series of rumbling forward punches and quick thinking by the Valke fly-half Jaggers saw Andrew Van Wyk cut a beautiful line, step two Force players and dot down to put Valke on the board.
The Force struck back almost instantly, regathering possession and marching down the field through a series of hard carries. McGregor finished off the hard yards, taking two Valke players with him as he crashed over for his second try of the game.
However, having got on the board once, the Valke were keen to get another taste and replacement prop Luxolo Koza made a barnstorming charge deep into the Force 22m and quick hands by earlier try scorer Van Wyk, put Koert Cronje into the corner.
The final 15 minutes belonged to the Force as they plundered four tries to kept an energetic and enthusiastic crowd on their feet. Fergus Lee-Warner started the stampede, followed by Andrew Deegan who latched onto the end of an outstanding dancing long range break by Leon Feke to score another Power Try.
Harrison Lloyd then found himself the beneficiary of his forward pack’s work ethic before making a final bullocking run, while the final nail in the coffin was delivered via an inch perfect grubber kick by Jonah Placid which found Chris Miller in the corner.
https://www.rapidrugby.com/forceful-finish-a-fitting-finale/
ForceFan
Peter Fenwicke (45)
It's obviously not but very likely represents what may happen more in the future.
Sth Africa was interested in being involved in GRR and to assist in growing the game in the Asia region.
This interest is to enable Curry Cup level players get more international experience/exposure.
If the Malaysia Valke continues we may see it as the Malaysia national team supplemented with Valke players and marque players who are based in KL and working with the local rugby set-up to help develop players/coached/administrators.
This was just an exhibition match to give the idea an airing and to kick-FF (Folau Fainga'a) the the Bled weekend in Perth.
In the same way there may be NZ ITM level players aligning with particular clubs in the Asia/Pacific region.
(There are already talks about this but may not be part of the initial limited (most likely 6) group of teams for 2020.
SteveWA
Charlie Fox (21)
Here's some highlights (albeit on Facebook so your mileage may vary)
https://www.facebook.com/rapidrugby/videos/1059217081077325/
https://www.facebook.com/westernforce/videos/2562819193770285/
https://www.facebook.com/westernforce/videos/342648716680095/
https://www.facebook.com/rapidrugby/videos/1059217081077325/
https://www.facebook.com/westernforce/videos/2562819193770285/
https://www.facebook.com/westernforce/videos/342648716680095/