Western Force v Crusaders

[Darren]

This Saturday 28th January 2006, Olympic Park Stadium 7:30pm!

Our very own Western Force take on the 5 time Super 12 Premiers, Canterbury Crusaders in the Western Force's second trial match for the season, and their first with all Wallabies on board.

Not too sure what to expect from the Melbourne crowd given that the Force took them down in their bid to host a Super14 team. Whatever the crowd, based on their strong performance against the Currie Cup champs of 2005 - the Cheetahs, expect another pearler of a game - wallabies should be on board for this one too!

Victorian time zone is GMT+11 (with Daylight Savings) so Perth kick off time is 4:30pm, I haven't confirmed, but 6PR (882 AM) or SportFM (90.5FM) are bound to be broadcasting the game.

C'arn the Force!

[Burgs]

Emirates Western Force head coach John Mitchell has announced his squad for Saturday night's trial match against the Crusaders at Olympic Park in Melbourne, and it includes those players recently returned from the Wallaby spring tour.


Emirates Western Force captain Nathan Sharpe is in the squad, as are fellow Wallaby tourists Brendan Cannon, David Fitter, Scott Fava, Matt Henjak, Digby Ioane and Cameron Shepherd.

Also in the line-up is three Test veteran Scott Staniforth, who recently returned to Australia after playing for European club, London Irish.

Following last Saturday's impressive showing against the Central Cheetahs, the starting XV will again be dominated by less experienced players.

The squad includes 11 players that are uncapped at Super 12 level, including last week's try scorers Tim Davidson and Haig Sare.

Mitchell said he was aware of what his experienced players had to offer so the focus would again be on giving the younger members of the squad an opportunity to perform.

He said the spring tourists returning to the squad would have their workloads carefully ramped up in preparation for the 2006 season.

The squad is: J.Hilgendorf, C.Shepherd, S.Staniforth,T.Mailata, G.DeBartolo, D.Ioane, H.Sare, S.Daruda, B.James, L.MacKay, C.O'Young, M.Henjak, T.Davidson, S.Fava, M. Hodgson, R.Brown, L.Doherty, M.Windle, D.Pusey, N.Sharpe, J.Welborn, P.O'Connor, D.Te Moana, D.Fitter, T.McIsaac (c), L.Holmes, B.Cannon, G.Hardy, A.Scott

*J.Pelesasa and J.Graham were not considered for selection because of injury but will tour.

(WHY, WHY, WHY must the Force also start listing their squads backwards! )

[Burgs]

Great to see that Mitch is prepared to give the less experienced players every chance to show their wares, even when faced with the Crusaders "away".
It will be an important return to playing for Ioane, Henjak and Shepherd especially as their positions are far from settled following the impressive display against the Cheetahs.
McIsaac is Captain again which confirms Sharpey is planned to have a "light" run.
Still lots of planning going on with the staff, trying different combinations.
Roll on the first match in the True Blue!!!

[Flat-top]

Certainly listened to the last game via the internet at http://www.6pr.com.au and although they haven't confirmed this Saturday's programme they have at least got Sports scheduled between 16:00 and 18:00.

[The EnForcer]

Bummer, neither 6PR or Sport FM are covering tomorrow's game.

[Darren]

I'm buggered if I can find anyone anywhere who is broadcasting the game. Anyone got any mates in Melbourne with knowledge of the local sports radio scene? Someone somehwre *must* be broadcasting something yeah?!?! I've had someone in NZ check things out with no luck

This is a very sad state of affairs!

[Burgs]

All Black flanker Richie McCaw will captain the Crusaders side in their second pre-season Super 14 match at Melbourne's Olympic Park Stadium. Chris Jack, Dan Carter and wing Rico Gear will also be in the starting line-up.

Although coach Robbie Deans says that one must not read too much into it The Crusaders will start with four of their All Blacks who were part of last years Grand Slam tour.

"In terms of the starting team, we will very much respond to what we see through the game," said Deans. It's also likely we will use the whole bench." he added.

Crusaders team to face the Force:

Scott Hamilton, Rico Gear, Caleb Ralph, Cameron McIntyre, Steven Yates, Dan Carter, Kevin Senio, Brad Mika, Richie McCaw (c), Reuben Thorne, Chris Jack, Ross Filipo, Campbell Johnstone, Tone Kopelani, Greg Somerville. Reserves: Ti'i Paulo, Wyatt Crockett, Kevin O'Neill, Tanerau Latimer, Andy Ellis, Aaron Mauger, Steven Brett, Ben Franks, Lucky Mulipola, Craig Clarke, Tim Taylor.

[The EnForcer]

I phoned Olympic Park yesterday to find out if they had any radio stations covering the game....the answer was no. Bummer.

[luke_the_pom]

man they got a good team

[Goldmember]

Not impressed. It would have received coverage almost anywhere else...

[Burgs]

Emirates Western Force go down to Crusaders in Melbourne

Saturday, 28 January 2006
From: RugbyWA

The Emirates Western Force have gone down to Super 12 champions, the Crusaders, at trial game at Olympic Park in Melbourne before a crowd of 11,557.
On a wet track and in muggy conditions, with both sides dropping their fair share of ball, the New Zealanders - boasting All Blacks Richie McCaw, Dan Carter, Reuben Thorne, Greg Somerville, Aaron Mauger, Chris Jack and Rico Gear - defeated the Perth team 36 to 19.
The Emirates Western Force were the first to score in a mistake-ridden first half. Awarded a penalty, the forwards drove to within inches of the try line, from the resulting lineout, then threw the ball wide to Scott Staniforth who'd joined the backline from his blindside wing. The try was converted by Brock James. Score 7-0.
In the 8th minute, a kick-through from Crusader flyhalf Dan Carter was lost by the Emirates Western Force and the ball was swung first to the right, and then to the left, with Steven Yates going over for the try. The score was not converted. Score 7-5.
The Crusaders next score came from a kick-through and chase in the 20th minute, with the slippery ball evading the grasp of two Emirates Western Force defenders, allowing Yates to post his second. Try converted by Dan Carter. Score 7-12.
The New Zealanders were quickly back on the attack, and from a lineout in the 26th minute, they drove forward with captain Richie McCaw peeling from the maul and scoring in the corner. The try was not converted. Score: 7-17.
In the 34th minute, Emirates Western Force number eight Tim Davidson grubbered the ball through for flyer Scott Staniforth, who beat his Kiwi defender in the chase to post his second five-pointer. The try was not converted by Brock James. Score 12-17.
Half time: 12-17.
After half time, Nathan Sharpe, Scott Fava, Brennan Cannon, David Fitter, Digby Ioane, Lachlan MacKay and Cameron Shepherd joined Matt Henjak and Scott Staniforth (who both started the game) in making their debut for the Emirates Western Force but couldn't stop the Crusaders, who seemed far more comfortable with the slippery ball as the game wore on.
In the 44th minute, Crusader Aaron Mauger charged down a clearance kick from Lachlan MacKay to score the New Zealanders' fourth try. It was converted by Dan Carter. Score 12-24. Another chargedown by the Crusaders almost led to another try in the 48th minute.
When referee Brett Browden missed a Scott Yates knock-on in the 53rd minute, and the visitors momentarily paused for the whistle, Crusaders fullback Scott Hamilton crossed the line after a series of passes. The try was converted by Stephen Brett. Score 12-31.
In the 69th minute, Emirates Western Force prop Angus Scott scored a pushover try from a lineout taken by lock Pat O'Connor. The try was converted by Lachlan MacKay. Score 19-31.
In the 73rd minute, Crusaders Tim Taylor broke through for the Crusaders sixth try. The try was not converted. Score 19-36.
FINAL SCORE: Emirates Western Force 19 - Crusaders 36 at Olympic Park, Melbourne.
Emirates Western Force: Tries - Staniforth 2, Scott 1. Conversions - James 1, MacKay 1.
Crusaders: Tries - Yates 2, McCaw, Mauger, Hamilton, Taylor. Conversions - Carter 2, Brett 1.
Crowd: 11,557

[Burgs]

With only this report to go on (major rasberries to WA media!) the game has shown some promising signs and also some areas to work on.
That is basically why you have scratch matches!
There were tries scored by forward and back play, solid work off lineouts and a good run for the returning Wallabies.
On the downside, give the Crusaders an inch and they'll score a try! More work on defensive patterns and focus for every second of the game. Perhaps some handling mistakes that can be put down to the conditions but it may be time to turn on the sprinklers for a couple of sessions at Perry Lakes?
In NZ especially, we need to be prepared to play in wet weather.
On balance I would think that Mitch will be happy with this return against the competition benchmark.
Here's hoping there is some more reports on the way from other outlets or perhaps even from some supporters at the game?
I have a mate who went but I won't see him til next week.

[Darren]

That's a very respectable scoreline!

Wonder how the crowd was split on support...

[Burgs]

from: Fox Sports

THE Crusaders proved winners both on and off the field in their Super 14 trial against Australian newcomer Western Force in Melbourne tonight.

More than 11,000 turned out to watch the pre-season trial at Olympic Park after the Crusaders announced they would base themselves in the southern capital before Australian games, hoping rugby starved Victorians would embrace the New Zealand side.

Despite it being only a trial, the turn-out on a rainy Melbourne day was one regular tenant, National Rugby League side the Melbourne Storm, would have been envious of.

The Crusaders, with a host of All Blacks including skipper Richie McCaw, Dan Carter and Aaron Mauger in the line-up, led 17-12 at the break and extended it to 36-19 by full-time.

But the Force, in their second hit-out after losing 29-19 to new South African franchise the Cheetahs last week, were far from disgraced against the reigning champions.

They matched the Crusaders in the forwards while the backs, including Scott Staniforth, showed plenty of promise in difficult, greasy conditions.

Former NSW winger Staniforth, who returned to Australia this year after a stint with England club London Irish, showed he had lost none of his touch, claiming two first-half tries as he opened the scoring for the Force in the second minute.

Crusaders winger Steven Yates also grabbed a double before the main break with flanker McCaw posting his side's third as he took the ball from a maul and dived across the line.

Force coach John Mitchell made seven changes at half-time, giving his Wallabies including captain Nathan Sharpe and hooker Brendan Cannon their first hit-out of the year.

However the Crusaders reaped the early rewards in the second half, as Mauger, in his first match after a shoulder injury, charged down a Lachlan MacKay kick to score in the 44th minute.
They extended that lead through winger Scott Hamilton and Tim Taylor.

The Force's only second half points came in the 69th minute after a line-out five metres out, with prop Angus Scott scoring off a rolling maul.

[The EnForcer]

[QUOTE=Burgs]from: Fox Sports

But the Force, in their second hit-out after losing 29-19 to new South African franchise the Cheetahs last week, were far from disgraced against the reigning champions.
QUOTE]

Another good effort by the sound of it.

Go the Force