Western Force Take Out Reds

[tic]

^^ Any positives for the Reds? I only caught the second half (streaming 6PR) and it didn't sound like they were coping too well (even though the bench was cleared).

I couldn't stand another shit season by them and rugby supporters up here will riot if they don't start showing some ticker!

[BLR]

Only negative was bitter disappointment in the attendance - the Waratahs aren't happy about 7000, the Crusaders expect more than that in Melbourne, yet we can only manage 4000 for the Force at home in the only game they play at a rectangular ground? Very ordinary. Still, we were paying attention and best of all, RUGBY SEASON IS HERE AGAIN!

I think if you take the weather and the fact alot of people wouldn't know about it then it makes sense...I was working at the time listening to 6PR and we had loads of customers come in asking what was on the radio, wanting to know the channel etc. they had no idea the Force were playing...maybe the Force should play one of the lesser Super 14 games at Members Equity next year or something....just so a large amount of people can come to the game and see exactly why we need a rectangular stadium...

[jono]

The reds started well, getting the early momentum. but they just couldnt maintain that pace. and they seemed to slow it down a notch again in the second half. given the force stepped it up. but the reds didnt match it, and it showed on the scoreboard at the end of the game.

[Thequeerone]

Enjoyed last night enormously - it was a relief to see some rugby again after so long - saw most of the rabble on here waving their light sabres from the stand and Jess looked very fetching in her fairy wings !

Stannards first try was inspirational - nice dummy on the reds before ducking across the line
Pussey looked positively Neanderthal with his large beard - but got over the line nicely
Most surprising aspects of the game - not many ball handling errors and the performance of our reserves - they got their chance to shine with 20 mins to go and although nowhere near as polished as the established players - they really played open expansive rugby and took a few risks - which paid off - like many was impressed with Cummins and Mckay - but Timani was effective and a bit disappointed that Longbottom didn't make an appearance - the Innforcer was on from last night and no doubt we would have heard a wonderful rendition of "Loving You" from the other side of the pitch - good night out - the fair weather types missed out again

[Thequeerone]

^^ Any positives for the Reds? I only caught the second half (streaming 6PR) and it didn't sound like they were coping too well (even though the bench was cleared).

I couldn't stand another shit season by them and rugby supporters up here will riot if they don't start showing some ticker!

l

Sorry mate very little positive - scrum stronger but tired quickly - latham looked isolated on the pitch - very little support - everything he did he did alone - Horwill made an effort to get in there but on his own it was hard - and honestly the reserves could do with more match time - hope for your sake I'm wrong - there's always the lions game to look forward to - and U can wind us quite nicely when it goes wrong for us

[GIGS20]

Probably the best thing I could say for the Reds Tic was that the score made it look worse than it actually was, several scores came either directly or shortly after Reds errors (including Berrick's lovely pass straight onto Drewy's chest) I swear Drew looked a bit surprised and took a few beats before he shot down the pitch to score untouched!

The Scrum was probably the one thing that you'd point to, they seemed to exert a lot of dominance there, but only when Boof was off and then (I thought) by getting away with some shady tricks which Pek didn't seem to handle and the ref didn't pick up on early in the game.

Blake looked underdone, if he gets fitter he could be a bit of a handful!

I'm not sure that the decisions to kick so much early in the game helped either. The :Force: were obviously not so concerned about the scoreboard, and put together some passages of play that worked which probably wouldn't have been tried if points were on the line. Queensland were a bit more conservative and it showed on the scoreboard.

[jono]

we also tried the new blood out en mass. which worked out well.
quote of the night:
"looks like an american football bench"

[KenyaQuin]

^^ Any positives for the Reds? I only caught the second half (streaming 6PR) and it didn't sound like they were coping too well (even though the bench was cleared).

They started strongly (as you would no doubt have read)..I think they had all the ball for the 1st 10-odd minutes. They have some big looking forwards who gave a good account of themselves at the start and at times had good exchanges between themselves however lost quite a few balls in the tackle. Were pretty competitive in the rucks and won all (or almost all) their lineouts..have good options there.

Barnes wasn't too bad but perhaps was abit nervous about facing/playing Gits and lost abit of composure as a result.

Morgan had a good few runs at the start as well but kind of fizzled in the later part of the 1st half and I thought at one point that he was looking injured (perhaps a knock or something).

Latham was himself and looking to attack frequently and especially off receiving a high ball. He made quite a few runs and gained a bit of ground.

Clinton on the wing..not much to see from yesterday other than noting his pace and strength, he's probably just waiting for Latham to jet out. Would like to see him at full back.

Siale looked good..first time I've really had a look at him. He's a solid fella and a good step..maybe needs abit more match time.

I would have liked to have seen Cooper given a longer spell with the original backline..I got a good vibe from him but than again, I really haven't seen him play much in the past.

Poor old Walker was a dud. I can't seeing him getting much play time unless there's plenty of injuries.

All in all, I think they have the makings of a good team, there's definitely some talent in both backs and forwards but the structure went AWOL (both defense and attack) once the Force regained their composure and this will be another hard season for them if that keeps happening..but then again, that was but a trial.

(ps. sorry if I've repeated what most have said, took awhile to get this posted).

[GIGS20]

Poor old Walker was a dud. I can't seeing him getting much play time unless there's plenty of injuries.

At least he had a good sense of humour, when we gave him shit for not making it to the kick which bounced out at thier 22 he just smiled sheepishly and ran back to position chuckling!

He seemed about 15 metres slower than everyone in a 20 metre race though

[jono]

he made it there.
he just was looking in the opposite direction!

[GIGS20]

he made it there.
he just was looking in the opposite direction!

You've gotta worry when one of your back three can't catch (Digby) and one can't figure out where the ball is coming from(Walker)

Latho's going to have a LOT of work to do!

[jono]

yeah. concidering he proved he cant speak japanese last night as well...
someone's gonna be busy this year!

[rick boyd]

My take, for those who couldn't make the game...

A successful season beckons as the Western Force looked sharp and
focused in a slick 39-15 Super 14 trial win over the Queensland Reds at
Members Equity Stadium, Perth, on Thursday night.

After a slow start, the Force took opportunities with clinical
precision, and while the Reds had a healthy share of play, they
struggled to match the Force’s continuity and quick support moves.

A notable factor that may become increasingly evident this year is the
dividends being paid by coach John Mitchell’s loose forward purchases in
the franchise’s first season. The club started the competition light on
in the loosie department, with Brumbie and part-time Wallaby Scott Fava
the only name behind the scrum. Instead, Mitchell opted for players of
the future such as Australia Under 21 players Richard Brown, Matt
Hodgson, Luke Doherty and David Pusey. Last year he fielded exciting
young ex-Zimbabwe powerhouse, David Pocock.

Expect big things from these boys this year. They are big, they are
fast, they are ready to dominate.

Queensland opened the game strongly and camped in the Force’s 22 early,
fullback Chris Latham scoring a try five minutes in from a penalty
scrum, converted by wing Clinton Schifcofske. But slowly the Force made
headway and after 17 minutes stand-in halfback James Stannard dived over
between the posts after a series of rucks from a penalty lineout.
Flyhalf Matt Giteau converted the sitter to draw 7-7. Stannard has
played the last couple of seasons in the local club competition for
Palmyra and made the most of his Australian Rugby Championship
appearances last year to claim a Super 14 contract in 2008. Henjak was
resting a minor injury.

The new rules did not alter the game as much as during the ARC, which
tended to devolve into a helter-skelter game of touch-with-tackles. The
Super 14 brand had much more structure with the Force in particular
opting for a lot of positional kicking. Giteau was in superb touch,
steering the ball around the park with length and precision. Mitchell
might be having a word or two to his old mate Robbie Deans about that.
Referee James Lekie from NSW didn’t help with an erratic display and an
endless run of penalties for not rolling away. I say penalties – they
were free kicks under the new rules.

The Force dominated the later stages of the half but conceded a drop
goal to Reds flyhalf Berrick Barnes. Barnes looked dangerous every time
he touched the ball and won the battle of the running flyhalves, but
Giteau was miles ahead in the kicking stakes.

Just before half time, lock David Pusey – a blindside flanker who ably
exploited the increased mobility of the new rules – finished off the
best play of the night with a try after fullback Cameron Shepherd fielded
a high kick on his 22. Shepherd eluded the tackle and ran up, the ball
passing through seven pairs of hands as it travelled the length of the
field. A couple of quick rucks and Pusey was found lurking on the wing
for the try. Giteau wrapped up the half with a penalty goal to lead 15-10
at half time.

The Force came out with all guns blazing in the second spell, and two
minutes in a couple of width of the field attacking phases put Shepherd
over for the try, and Giteau converted. Wing Drew Mitchell, his usual
erratic self in general play, intercepted a loose, short Reds pass in
midfield after 12 minutes and sprinted 35 metres to score. Giteau
converted as the score blew out to 29-10.

Queensland were stung into action and dominated the mid section of the
half, inside centre Chris Siale scoring in the corner from a regulation
back line move. Reserve fullback Andrew Walker came on and looked
dangerous with the ball in hand, and that carrying a fair bit of extra
weight. Reserve back Peter Hynes also performed well in the midfield.

The Force also made bulk changes and the Reds added an unplanned change
when lock James Horwill was yellow carded for a dangerous tackle that
flattened Mitchell while he followed up a kick through in the corner.
The Force settled and finished well with tries to wing Nick Cummins in
the corner after another free kick, and Lachie McKay capitalised on a
cutting run by reserve centre Dane Heylett-Petty.

For the Reds, Cordingley was capable, Barnes in good touch, with Latham
and Schifcoske shining out wide. Centre Morgan Turunui was very quiet and
none of the Reds forwards impressed particularly, although they were solid enough.

For the Force, captain Nathan Sharpe was at his usual high standard.
Pocock was in everything and number eight Brown was particularly
impressive, with power, pace and skill. Inside centre Scott Staniforth played the bruising hitman role superbly inside the skilfull Giteau, and fullback Shepherd made good yards with the ball in hand.

The Force for a final four place this year. You read it here first.

[rick boyd]

I assume that was Clarke that replaced him late in the game, and he also looked good (but perhaps lacked a bit of physical presence?).

It was a young academy player called Justin Turner. Played very well for his first hit out in the big time and damn near scored a try!

[AndyS]

Indeed he did and it was that play that caught the eye. Cheers for the correction though - it's games like last night that send one back to the player lists...so many faces I didn't recognise.