Kings Defeat Force in Super Rugby Debut

[palitu]

kick off at 11pm, so not so bad... I'll be up watching...

I just feel that something wasn't right with the team... something about bad food the night before, i am sure!

i think they will bounce back and play better rugby, perhaps not a win, but it will have enthusiasm, which was sorely missed against the kings.

[travelling_gerry]

[brokendown gunfighter]

stating the farkin obvious!

[valzc]

It would just be good if the team looks less like they're standing ankle deep in a bog. How about some of the sniping attack runs at the line that were happening in the trials? I know the Saffas are all big arsed pushers and its probably like hitting a wall but watching the Hurricanes & Chiefs game on friday night was fantastic. They just continually attacked and attacked. Also i can't understand why Sam Wykes is looking so flat after his great form last season. I know the guys are gutted but they were well and truly outwitted.

[westies man]

watching the Hurricanes & Chiefs game on friday night was fantastic. .

It was the Highlanders not Hurricanes but your right these teams are gonna inflict some serious damage on the Force if they don't get thier act together and quickly

[hertryk]

Looks like I'll be back at the Dr's again for antidepressants.

I'm feeling a tad embarrassed riding around in my car at the moment...

[rick boyd]

the laws states the ball must be "played" within 5 seconds of a maul being held up;surely the player carrying the ball moving forward is playing the ball?

Absolutely correct. An appalling decision from a very unimpressive ref. Not that it made a lot of difference, the Farce scored shortly after anyway.

[rick boyd]

Rick.
Where have you been.
Great to see you back with your incisive, cutting and forthright views.
Hear there's a quality bunch of players been attracted to P-B since the arrival of the new coach.

Gee thanks. Yes, we have a new crop of imports this year. Including backs, God help us. Some of them are even coming to training.

[rick boyd]

The law talks about a successful end to the maul. So the maul has to end. It can't keep going. Someone can start a new maul, but the existing one must end.

Come on now Ecky, that's just you refs fiddling with the facts as usual. Leave that to us journos please!

The law was made for man -- man was not made for the law. Jesus said that, so it must be true. You remember him? Flyhalf for the Israel XV when you were a boy. Very effective on wet pitches. Featured in several "hand of God" incidents.

Anyway, whether it's rucks or mauls, or come to that, playing the ball in the tackle: the player must use the ball quickly, or forfeit the right to use it. How quickly is up to the ref, but if the ref has told the players to use it, and they do, then it's sheer pedantry to call them back.

Like those idiot refs who blow up a scrum because the front rows have gone down, even though the halfback is already sending the ball on its way. Yes, I know it's naughty-corner stuff to let the front row go down, but as long as it doesn't disadvantage the non-offending team, where's the problem? We don't go to the game to see the ref blowing his whistle, or to see nineteen scrum re-sets. Let the game flow! Let the players play!

[fulvio sammut]

Welcome back Rick.

Though it appears I've mellowed with age, and you've just fired up!