Rebels v Force 2024 Game 2

[todd4]

I think the set piece is going to be tough, Rebels pack has close to 50kg on the Force.

Would that extra weight be due to their sumo prop Tupou? Did you see the size of him last week? Bloody hell. Can't be doing himself any favours waddling around like a man mountain. lol

[GIGS20]

Tupous made of glass. It's likely good news that he's starting, more time for him to break a nail and sub pff

[Burgs]

Just need someone to tip a draw now

[Burgs]

Crusader one fortnight, Force the next as Coxon rushed into Force side amid prop crisis

Wed, Feb 28, 2024, 4:22 PM
by AAP and Nathan Williamson

Three weeks ago, prop Ryan Coxon was in England laying down a haka before the Crusaders' clash with powerhouse Bristol.

Now, the 26-year-old finds himself making his Super Rugby starting debut on the other side of the world for new club Western Force.

Cron has been forced to sign former fringe Crusaders and Chiefs prop Coxon on an injury-replacement contract.

Coxon has been rushed straight into the starting side as a replacement for Pearce, who was suspeded for a month

"We've got three (props) down at the moment," Cron said.

"You've always got to be smart as coaches when you're tracking (options) No.4 and No.5.

"With Ryan coming in, we knew about him, we were watching him, we just didn't think we'd have to put him in this quickly.

"We looked around everywhere and he's probably the most suited to getting in at Super Rugby right now."

Coxon played six games for the Chiefs in 2019 and 2020 before featuring in the NPC for Tasman.

Cron said former All Blacks prop Atu Moli was getting close to playing.

"Atu's training really well. He's doing great stuff at tighthead for us," Cron said.

"It's just (about) continuing his running loads.

"We think at the moment though he's really close to being at his best, and we want to make sure he gets there before we play him."

Fellow Tasman front-rower Feleti Kaitu’u comes onto the bench as the Wallaby looks to re-gain his spot in the squad after a strong season in New Zealand that saw him win the club's Rookie of the Year award.

FORCE (1-15): Ryan Coxon, Tom Horton, Santiago Medrano, Jeremy Williams, Thomas Franklin, Michael Wells, Carlo Tizzano, Will Harris, Nic White, Ben Donaldson, Chase Tiatia, Hamish Stewart, Sam Spink, Harry Potter, Max Burey

RESERVES: Feleti Kaitu’u, Charlie Hancock, Tiaan Tauakipulu, Tim Anstee, Lopeti Faifua, Ollie Callan, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, George Poolman

[shasta]

Wonder if any of those Georgian gorillas are unemployed. They'd be happy if the whole 80 were taken up with endless scrums. Coxson will be ready to rumble after a Ch-Ch preseason. I endorse this product.

[Burgs]

Wonder if any of those Georgian gorillas are unemployed. They'd be happy if the whole 80 were taken up with endless scrums.

Pretty sure the Reserve Forwards spend the first 50 Scrummaging on the sideline...

[valzc]

BTW what’s happened with the Naiyarovo experiment- no joy?

[Burgs]

BTW what’s happened with the Naiyarovo experiment- no joy?

Commenced Pre-Season for 2025 maybe...

[andrewg]

So early in the season & the "what if's" are already mounting up

I suggest no more so than in any other new season after Round 1.
Especially when the 1st game is against a team that made the QFs last year and was No 2 in points scored and the No 4 defensive team.

I hope we can do better against the Rebels which has been our nemesis.

[WFDom]

I suggest no more so than in any other new season after Round 1.
Especially when the 1st game is against a team that made the QFs last year and was No 2 in points scored and the No 4 defensive team.

I hope we can do better against the Rebels which has been our nemesis.

I was referring more to the injuries Andrew. Rodda, Pasitoa, props etc

We really need a good showing against the Rebels. As much as I feel sorry for their off field woes. I really hope the on field problems continue!

[Kernow]

Would that extra weight be due to their sumo prop Tupou? Did you see the size of him last week? Bloody hell. Can't be doing himself any favours waddling around like a man mountain. lol

Tupou is something like 135kg and is the heaviest in the Rebels pack; the lightest weighs in at 104kg. Average 115.75kg

In the Force pack, the heaviest we have weighs in at 118, and the lightest is 97kg, one of two under 100. Average 109.75kg

The Force pack is aligned with fast, high-skill running rugby, I guess

[Burgs]

From rugby.com article- https://www.rugby.com.au/news/super-...layers-2024228

Friday 1 March 8:10 pm AEDT – Melbourne Rebels v Western Force at AAMI Park

----

Alex Mafi and Taniela Tupou start in the front row after coming off the bench in round one.
James Tuttle starts at scrumhalf, with centre Matt Proctor to make his Rebels debut
Filipo Daugunu moves to the wing after filling in at outside centre.

----

Ryan Coxon has been rushed into the starting side after Marley Pearce's suspension
Jeremy Williams captains the side after missing last week with a concussion
Hooker Feleti Kaitu'u comes off the bench after a strong season with Tasman

Key Match Up

Andrew Kellaway v Max Burey

Both players are essential links to their respective teams' attacks and are the key towards unlocking their potential.

Kellaway is the Wallabies incumbent and knows a strong game will inch him ever so closer towards securing that starting spot come July.

As for Burey, a strong game against the Rebels can take him into bolter status as he adjusts to life following a stint at flyhalf in 2023.

Stats

The Melbourne Rebels have won two of their last three Super Rugby Pacific matches against the Western Force

The Western Force have lost their last eight Super Rugby Pacific matches away from HBF Park, conceding 45 points per game across that span

The Melbourne Rebels made 42 tackle breaks in Round 1 of the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific season – the most of any team in the competition - despite only scoring three points

Prediction

Rebels by 10

[WFDom]

45 Farkin points a game!

That hurts 😩

[shasta]

45 Farkin points a game!

That hurts 😩

Sounds bad when written that way - which is the intention. The margins, while still not pretty, are a different thing

[GIGS20]

I just hope the rebels play their usual CBF game because, on paper, our pack is fucked.