The Trial game that set Subi on fire

[Burgs]

A pretty generous rap from Jenkins!

from Fox Sports

By Peter Jenkins
January 23, 2006

PERTH gave birth to an Australian sporting giant on Saturday night - and more than 17,000 witnessed the long-awaited delivery.

Western Force, the fourth domestic franchise and created specifically for a new-look Super 14 series, made its debut on the rugby landscape with a trial against South African side The Cheetahs.

For the record, the visitors won 29-19 at Subiaco.

But with Force missing 10 marquee players and fielding 19 who have never played at the provincial level, the success of the Perth team was mirrored not on the scoreboard but at the turnstiles.

"These were spectators who waited a long time for this moment," Force chief executive Peter O'Meara said.

"We were really pleased with that crowd figure (of 17,050). Obviously, it's early days but there's tremendous support for what we've been doing.

"The community has really got behind us."

Force already has a membership base of more than 20,000, superior numbers to New South Wales Waratahs, Queensland Reds and ACT Brumbies.

It is already guaranteed, through members and pre-sold tickets, a crowd of 31,000 for its opening competition match against the Brumbies on February 10.
O'Meara is confident that game, and later fixtures against NSW and Canterbury Crusaders, will end up drawing sellout attendances of 42,000.

"We haven't started our advertising campaign yet," O'Meara added.

Force hits the paid publicity trail from tomorrow, with one slogan that reads: "Try it once and you're hooked."

It seems thousands already are.

The Daily Telegraph

[Burgs]

Haha, maybe there was some white substance (allegedly) on my nose?

We stayed at the Sheriton in Perth and as we were hitting the lobby bar we saw the wallabies checking in (we didn't realise that they were also staying there).. We got to say hi to a few players, etc.. all good.

It was the Saturday morning that the concierge mistook me for Henjak. I was wearing my Wallabies training jersey and wondered out into the very crowded lobby and the concierge singled me out "Morning Matt, how are you? Did you sleep well? Good luck.".. Err, thanks?

Should have headed to the team bus mate, all the boys would have probably been too bleary eyed to notice as well!!!

[Sagerian]

I actually bumped into the real Henjak on Sunday morning, we sort of looked at each other for a second. I could see a little bit of resemblance but not an awful lot.

[Darren]

The only downer on the night was the f***wits throwing beer cups in the air (with beer in them) during the mexican wave....

I'm off to get me some binoculars for the next game

Anyone else get any photos? Let me know and I can host them for you too if you'd like to share

[luke_the_pom]

The only downer on the night was the f***wits throwing beer cups in the air (with beer in them) during the mexican wave....

I'm off to get me some binoculars for the next game

Anyone else get any photos? Let me know and I can host them for you too if you'd like to share

hahaha guess it sign of age
coz i didnt mind taking a pelting from some rubbish
spose no one here was booing either when teh rest of the stadium was?

[Darren]

Apart from the fact that you were probably pretty safe up in the 'nose bleeds', you obviously didn't have beer running down the side of your $1500 video camera? No boo's from me - I didn't see what it was about

[Sagerian]

The only downer on the night was the f***wits throwing beer cups in the air (with beer in them) during the mexican wave....

I'm off to get me some binoculars for the next game

Anyone else get any photos? Let me know and I can host them for you too if you'd like to share

I obviously don't have pics from the Force game, however I'm going to the *cough bs* 'official' launch of the Super 14 in Martin place on Feb 3rd, there's supposed to be some Force players there among others so I'll make sure I send you guys some pics.

[luke_the_pom]

Apart from the fact that you were probably pretty safe up in the 'nose bleeds', you obviously didn't have beer running down the side of your $1500 video camera? No boo's from me - I didn't see what it was about

yeah i didnt read it properly sorry mate.... i wouldnt want beer on me either
dont mind the rubbish being chucked but dont wanna be covered in beer
sorry mate!!

[Burgs]

No wonder they ran out of beer, there was probably heaps but got cut off?
Were you in your season seat Coach?
There'll be "action" taken if I get beer on me in a Gold seat that's for bloody sure, wankers.
If I wanted that crap I'd still be going to B&S's.
Very disappointing to hear.

[Darren]

No worries cob - although I'm not a big fan of the dry rubbish either, you aint got kids yet, so I understand that you wouldn;t think about it - but I'm sure my 4 year old lad will really enjoy going to rugby games if he gets pelted by plastic cups everytime, I can cop it - but its not just about me.

Now, if people actually got creative and bought along rolls of streamers, confetti, beach balls - whatever, just something that aint going to damage anyone - then I'm all for it. Not sure if Subi have any policies on such things?

[Darren]

Yep - in my season seat. about 15 yards out from the try line, 8 rows back. Not a bad possie for being close to the touch line - but just a little low for seeing the action on the other side. Good and close to food/drinks/dunnies!

BTW - We had plenty of beer on our side of the pitch

[Burgs]

They got plenty of "policies" outside with the mobile lock up van
Just kidding.
Have never actually noticed any cricket match type balls etc at the footy.
Have a look at the back of your old tickets, that's where that kind of fine print is often displayed.
The already clean up all the cups etc so it can't be that big a deal?

[luke_the_pom]

im bringin a beach ball round 1!
but i sit miles up so mite not reach you
but yeah i understand with a kid you wouldnt want rubish thrown at him

[Darren]

Throw it to me! Block 106. Are you gonna write a message on it?

Bring 10 - everytime they score a try let one loose.... you never know, by the end of the season there might be 100 beach balls let loose everytime a try is scored ...

[luke_the_pom]

10???? we were gonna bring two
block 106.... im block 418
it would have to really circulate to reach you
but u neva know