Western Force 27 Lions 15
The Force delivered a well-earned first-up win for 2011 against the Lions today at a cavernous and near-empty Ellis Park in Jo’burg.
This ground, now known as Coca-Cola Park (oh, how original), is located in a crime-ridden and run-down inner city suburb called Doornfontein.
This was once a showpiece stadium where Invictus (the real one, not the Hollywood version) climaxed in 1995. I’d imagine the few Lions fans present wouldn’t have been too keen to hang around after the match, although they do have an armed security force in the carpark about the size of Colonel Gaddafi’s militia, just to look after your motor….
Lions coach John Mitchell didn’t look too happy in the box during today’s game, engaging in some public hand-wringing as his side lost its discipline and went down 27–15. Not that they were as bad as say…. the Tahs were last night: at least they had the wherewithal to defeat the Cheetahs.
They actually fought back late in the first half and early in the second to lead the Force by 15–14 at one stage. But their defence and their discipline let them down a few times and they appeared fragile at five-eighth and out wide. In fact their No. 10, Elton Jantjies John (the new Earl Rose), executed a poor tackle on Cameron Shepherd whose kick, chase and regather led to Alfi Mafi’s 57th minute try. Elton’s tackle was about as effective as a candle in the wind.
Mitch’s backs are essentially a waste of space. They have no penetration, lack creativity and rarely get over the advantage line. They just seem to pass the ball laterally. I’d be hand-wringing too, or maybe throttling?
I was a bit worried when I switched on to watch this game on TV as die kommentators weren’t speaking die English. Eventually they switched to Joel and co. — I’m not sure I could have coped with 80 minutes of Frik, Braam en Johannes praat kak.
Both teams played excellent wet weather rugby and you could count the number of handling errors on your, umm, hands. The difference between the teams was that the Force were more clinical, their set piece was faultless and more often than not got over the gain line.
The first try of the match was scored by Nick Cummins (9 min) after some clever lead-up work by James O’Connor. Rabbit’s chip and chase caught the home team on the hop and Cummins had a hand in taking it forward, eventually scoring out to the left after the piggies did some grunt work. I reckon Mitch Inman will have trouble regaining this spot when he returns to full fitness, given Cummins’s form and Inman’s impending departure.
Apart from Mafi’s try, the rest of the scoring was a kicking contest between JO’C (5 pen), Cam Shepherd (pen) and Elton John (4 pen, drop goal). Shepherd took his penalty after JO’C was sin-binned for some nefarious activities at a ruck after the referee, George Michael, had previously warned the Force that you’ve got to have faith. In my view he overdid the penalty count — well, not so much too many, but penalising for trivialities.
The Force pack led the way in today’s match with a resounding performance. JO’C might have been the press Man of The Match but Matt Hodgson was the real MOTM. He was outstanding and worked his arse off. It’s hard to single them out individually but The Fox, Sharpie and Ben McCalman shone. Every lineout was won on their own throw and they pressured the Lions at scrum time, with Pek Cowan dominating his opposite. And what wouldn’t the Tahs give for these two Force hookers — both can throw straight!
In the backs, apart from JO’C, Brett Sheehan was busy, Shepherd used his booming boot to good effect and also made the odd break, and both wingers looked for work. Mafi’s got jet shoes!
Best for the Lions were Josh Strauss, their blindside flanker and apparently new Sebas, if the fake beards around the ground were any indication. I liked the look of their captain Franco van der Merwe and halfback Rory Kockett was always a handful.
It was time the Force were rewarded for some gutsy performances this season. They’ve been unlucky and now it’s their turn. It’s the circle of life.
Wallaby Watch:
Put his hand up: Matt Hodgson again proved to be a leading exponent of the dark arts of No. 7 play. I’m only whispering this but are they really missing Bam Pocock?
Did himself no favours: Nobody underperformed.
Bolter watch: I thought Tim ‘The Fox’ Fairbrother had a strong game in the tight and around the park. Although he was substituted early, I noticed he returned to the fray later. Quality workhorse.
