I really enjoyed reading that, Exile. A heart-felt piece that you should send to rugbywa, inside rugby, etc.
Expectation and anticipation for the final weeks of the season are certainly high. Jess and myself are making sure our passports are in order in case a quick trip across the ditch to Auckland or Christchurch is on the cards (well she already has hers in order, I'm just slack).
I had almost optimistically picked the Force to finish on 23 points and end up in about 9th spot, I even took some time to go through each game one by one and work out how many points the Force would get. I really thought 23 points and 9th was an admirable second season effort.
They have surely exceeded anyone who isn't completely overzealous' expectation. Sure, some people might have said eariler in the year that the Force would make the semi-finals. I'd say most of those were either boasting or joking, but now it's a firm possibility.
Even if the Force don't make the semi-finals. There is so much to take away from this season. They slowly (so so slowly) learned how to win the close games, certain players have lifted their games this year which has allowed the Force to be strong. Heck, I'm sure this weekend past they learned that the gameplan can be changed now and then, even during a game.
It's not an easy road for the Force to finish up. The 53 point nailing will be hard to shake phycologically, they travel to Hamilton which apparently is boring and Aussie teams don't do well there, then they have in-form Brumbies and Blues teams to contend with. A strong performance against the Cheetahs should at least put the Force's destiny in their own hands.
But as I said, even if they don't reach the top 4, they have done well in helping to carry the Aussie flag high.
P.S. Yes, I'm back now. I didn't want me leaving to be noticable (No LTP style "goodbye cruel world" threads), looks like that went well based on the poop fight the other week.