Western Force vs NSW Waratahs, 2011R08

[DPK]

To kick us off: new Force jersey for this clash.

http://a1.sphotos.AK (Andrew Kellaway).fbcdn.net/hphotos-AK (Andrew Kellaway)-snc6/197969_163317073725169_120955261294684_388358_7984374_n.jpg

 

[The Mayor of Perth]

I thought it was a secret that Poey's gonna be back early!

 

[Moono75]

.....just checking its not still April fools day is it? Does this mean the Tahs will be playing in their sky blue jersey?

 

[The Mayor of Perth]

Maybe the Tahs can wear their charity jersey again and the refs can be in pink.

 

[cyclopath]

Maybe the Tahs can wear their charity jersey again and the refs can be in pink.

Isn't the charity jersey the one the Tahs wear when they play like numpties and lose to the Cheetahs?

 

[Moono75]

....the Force have been involved in enough charity this season. We have given generously to the Reds, Blues and the Rebels.

 

[qwerty51]

Force will win by 1. They're desperate.

Anyone know when Vickerman is expected back?

 

[#1 Tah]

They're desperate.

Tahs start of a looong road trip and will be looking to hit it off well. I rekkon us by 12+

 

[drewprint]

The Force will get the chocolates here. Force are hurting, and will play with the kind of heart Waratah players just do not possess.

 

[The Mayor of Perth]

Surely they go home Sunday and don't leave for Auckland 'til Thursday. And the week after that just an hour up the hill to play the Reds.

 

[vidiot]

Surely they go home Sunday and don't leave for Auckland 'til Thursday. And the week after that just an hour up the hill to play the Reds.

I think they're taking the long way round to gain a day preparing for the Blues, and to get a little training in at attitude sorry I mean altitude.

 

[ChargerWA]

The Force will get the chocolates here. Force are hurting, and will play with the kind of heart Waratah players just do not possess.

Do the Force know how to hurt. In my current bitter state of mind it feels like the players just roll in to town for four months a year to break our hearts and line up a few new modelling contracts....

 

[Groucho]

The Force will get the chocolates here. Force are hurting, and will play with the kind of heart Waratah players just do not possess.

People often talk about teams being 'angry' after a loss. The most common result after a loss is another loss.

 

[drewprint]

People often talk about teams being 'angry' after a loss. The most common result after a loss is another loss.

I can understand that, but I'm not one of those people in this case. I don't think they'll be angry, just more focused perhaps.

 

[todd4]

People often talk about teams being 'angry' after a loss. The most common result after a loss is another loss.

OK, Stormers check, Rebels check.... can we have a win now??? ?

 

[fatprop]

Playing safe on Waugh, Barnes
Greg Growden
April 5, 2011

DEAN MUMM will take over as Waratahs captain and Kurtley Beale will stay at five-eighth after Phil Waugh and Berrick Barnes were ruled out of Saturday night's match against the Force in Perth.

Waugh will miss the game due to a mild calf strain, sustained in Friday night's win over the Chiefs, while Waratahs officials are still concerned with Barnes's head knock, believing he should be rested for a second week.

Waratahs coach Chris Hickey said yesterday it would be unwise to play Waugh because the calf strain ''could easily develop into a grade one tear, and that would probably be six weeks out''.
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Barnes will see a neurologist this afternoon for further tests. ''We want to be certain about when Berrick comes back,'' Hickey said. ''His welfare is the No.1 priority, which is why he has been ruled out. We still have another 11 weeks to go in this competition, so we have to be mindful of each player's welfare.''

Waugh's openside breakaway spot is expected to go to Pat McCutcheon, with Chris Alcock an option after a strong club game for Eastwood on Saturday in the opening round of the Shute Shield.

The Force will be without their back-rower Matt Hodgson for at least two weeks with a shoulder injury, with Sydney University's Jono Jenkins expected to move into the vacant No.7 position.

 

[Shiggins]

The force always play a team for what they are worth. That's there problem. We can win against the best team in the comp and then win or loose by 1 point too the worst. This will be another close one.
They have a good chance with JOC (James O'Connor) against beal. I thought when Mitchell was first receiver a couple of times last week he looked better then beal.

Go the force!!!!

 

[Ruggo]

The Tahs need the win badly here to get back on track. Sure they have put a couple of scratchy wins on the board in the last couple of weeks but the quest to find that early season form still continues for them. Hodgson is a big loss for the Force but Waugh being ruled out has balanced that out a bit. I presume Brown to 7, Wykes to 6 and Hockings in to partner Sharpe will happen. Hockings really needs to step up.

The Force to take this one in a thriller. Taking a leaf out of Lee Grant's book, I base that prediction on the vibe.

 

[Richo]

Can't see the Tahs losing this one, but it really depends on whether the forwards step up in Waugh's absence. They don't have a good record of that, this season or others.

 

[rugbysmartarse]

I would have said the tahs to take it, but with captain soft now in control I'm not sure. I used to be a huge Mumm fan, but this year his form has been aweful and his leadership worse.