HODGSON REACHES 100 MATCHES IN FORCE FIRST

[bandit]

Really hope Prior and Holmes get 20mins together the service from 9 last week put pressure not only on the 10 but all the backs.

[GIGS20]

The only caveat I would put on bagging Alby is that it's pretty hard to give quick ball when your loose forwards' arses are constantly slammed into your face at the ruck.

[andrewg]

Force A playing in Brisbane on Monday, which will be their last game in PRC.

Perhaps some of those players will fly from Brisbane to Dunedin for the following week, but certainly all will be available the after then

Not necessarily their last game.

I suggest that if they win the 3rd game with a good winning margin then they could make it to the final.

[The InnFORCEr]

If's and but = fruit and nuts = xmas everyday

[andrewg]

http://www.watoday.com.au/rugby-unio...306-349ch.html

Nathan Charles says it all.....the "Old Bull".

Who can forget the year when Matt Hodgson held the back row together after David Pocock was injured?
He Switched between 6, 7 and 8 depending on the team's needs and position of play.
Co-ordinates the very junior back-rowers and the teams' defence.

The latter aspect gave him immediate respect in the Wallaby squad as his ability to read the play was/is recognised by all.

Hodgo can't play this important role from off the bench!!

Hodgo is the nominated Captain until the end of 2015. My best team Captains were not necessarily the best players but the best leaders who set standards for others to follow. That's why Hodgo is Captain and has 2 Player of the Year and 4 Force Man of Year awards (in 8 years).

Hodgo will be the first to put his hand up when he's not carrying his weight in the team and when others can fill his space with greater contribution. It's just the way he is.

Those already calling for a change for next year need to be reminded that Ben McCalman consistently does very well because all he has to do is focus on his own game and not on all the other aspects of being Captain. David Pocock was the best example of loss of impact/focus when he was made Captain prematurely. When made Captain for 2012 he hadn't even been a member of the leadership group. Fortunately Ben McCalman is but I don't recall an instance when he's been asked to be acting captain during a game. It's gone to Pek, Sheeno, (Alby?) and others.

[Moono74]

You hope the team fully understands what the requirements are and the intensity required. I have attended too many games to celebrate a player milestone only to see them let down by a poor performance.

We talk about creating club cultures etc, well part of that is built around winning these games so that in the years to come you can reflect....yeah I was there when Hodgo ran out for his 100th Force cap. The boys played great that day..they sent him off in style. Wouldn't it be great to have the memory of him leaving the field on Saturday on the shoulders of his teammates with a W on the board rather than the alternative.

Early days of the season but we need to lift, the Rebels are in good form, some pride in the jersey is needed Saturday.

[ozhammy]

The team looks beter balanced and now with the best back three to initiate our attacks.
Hoping for less of an aimless kicking game that we have seen so far!
Above all I want to see a much increased Sea of Blue to honour Hodgo and what he has given to the Force!

[hertryk]

Just bloody well bring home a win... P L E A S E !!!

[GIGS20]

Hear hear hear hear hear hear.

[valzc]

Thank you Sharpie for the geeup today in the West in support of the Force (told you he's a great motivator). Have had to start with the 2 toughest teams for the season so need to have patience. But they really need to come out FIRING from the start and play 80 mins! The Rebs are going to blast out from the whistle I'd say so the Force better be ready to really attack from the get go and not on the back foot the rest of the game. Maybe they learnt something from the last 2.

[hertryk]

Valzc I reckon the boys did just that and some!