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I was very impressed by two classy acts yesterday, not on the field but rather off the field. I saw Hodgo playing some casual touch footy with some kids (including his sons) yesterday afternoon on the field after the game. I also saw Jonah Placid helping out one of the kids entertainers yesterday, helping her take her stuff back to her car. Well done guys.
Finishing with 13 on the field didn't help.
Looks like a lot of injuries from yesterday! So pleased we have a home semi final to attend! Love watching the Force from the hill’
Watching the replay, I see Ruan Smith of Brisbane binding the same way. Seems like most THPs are doing it.Quote:
Originally Posted by JSJ
As an ex prop, I had never noticed it before last week. Longbottom said it helps straighten your shoulder for pushing. It may do, however I wonder if that is why we have so many scrum collapses these days?
Attachment 5471
NRC Rising Star Round 6: Byron Ralson - Western Force
Talented Western Force finisher Byron Ralston has won the Round 6 nomination for the 2019 National Rugby Championship Rising Star award.
Launched in 2018, and won in a landslide by Fijian Drua star Alivereti Veitokani, the award recognises emerging players with fewer than three games of Super Rugby or fewer than three Tests for the Flying Fijians.
Ralston is a newcomer to the Force this season, having been recruited from the Brothers club in Brisbane following an outstanding Queensland Premier Rugby season in which he finished as top try-scorer in the Hospital Cup.
Force winger Byron Ralston scores one of his three first-half tries against Melbourne Rising.
Force winger Byron Ralston scores one of his three first-half tries against Melbourne Rising.
A member of the Junior Wallabies' squad for their Oceania Championship campaign, the 19-year-old is one of the country's most promising outside backs and is flourishing competing against players years his senior.
After coming up with a hat-trick in the Force's round three victory over Melbourne Rising, Ralston has continued to get himself in the thick of the action and on the score sheet consistently.
And his enthusiasm and work ethic has impressed coach Tim Sampson.
"We kept an eye on him in his season up (in Brisbane) after we lost a couple of players to overseas mid-year," Sampson said.
"Since he's been with us full-time he's just kicked on exceptionally well.
"He'll hopefully well and truly be in the mix for next year's Junior World Cup, he's just really impressed with his all-around game, both sides of the ball, attack-wise and defensively, so he'll fit the mould there.
"He's a hard worker and just a nice, humble young man."
Sampson conceded playing against men was a step up for a teenager but he had been impressed with how Ralston had handled his maiden NRC campaign.
Byron Ralston scores in the Hospital Cup grand final against the University of Queensland. Photo: QRU Media/Brendan Hertel
Byron Ralston scores in the Hospital Cup grand final against the University of Queensland. Photo: QRU Media/Brendan Hertel
"It is always a step up for a 19-year-old, not only to play but at training - day-in and day-out you're against bigger bodies but we noticed within the first few days here he was more than capable around the bigger and older guys, so he's impressive."
Ralston did not cross in the Force's win over Brisbane City on Sunday but he still contributed to the team win, joining in the rolling maul on two occasions when the Force went over.
"I think he's complaining of cauliflower ears this week and that's the beauty of him, he doesn't shirk anything," Sampson said.
"He pops up like a Johnny on the spot, which is why he scores a lot of tries, he puts himself in really good positions."
The Force continue their campaign on Saturday, taking on Sydney in their final fixture match at Woollahra Oval, having already secured a home semi-final.
Byron Ralston has taken his opportunity to develop in the West. Photo: Getty Images
Byron Ralston has taken his opportunity to develop in the West. Photo: Getty Images
NRC RISING STAR NOMINEES
Round 1: Will Harrison (Sydney flyhalf)
Round 2: Connor Vest (NSW Country lock)
Round 3: Noah Lolesio (Canberra flyhalf)
Round 4: Fraser McReight (Brisbane City backrower)
Round 5: Harry Wilson (Queensland Country No.8)
Round 6: Byron Ralston (Western Force winger)
https://www.rugby.com.au/news/2019/1...-byron-ralston
Is it just the cynic in me or does somebody else expect a Melbourne player to take the Rising Start for round 7 so that each team has a player represented?
Maybe. But if it happens he'll likely be a West Aussie ex-pat. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by The InnFORCEr
FORCE HUNT MINOR PREMIERSHIP
October 10, 2019
The Western Force will look to secure the 2019 NRC minor premiership on Saturday but has been forced to make three changes to the starting XV.
Head coach Tim Sampson knows the importance of a strong finish to the season after a dominant performance has the Force on top with five wins from the six rounds.
“Leading into a semi-final it is always important to continue winning, we took pretty big strides forward last weekend after our defeat the previous weekend to the NSW Country Eagles,” Sampson said.
“It would be a good reward to come away with the minor premiership, but we don’t sit on our heals and pat ourselves on the back, we know what lies ahead and the reality of finishing the job.”
Captain Ian Prior, Number 8 Brynard Stander and utility back Nick Jooste are all unavailable this weekend due to injury. Prior is recovering well after surgery on a broken wrist, while scans suggest Stander (knee) and Jooste (shoulder) will both make a return in the finals.
West Australian local and 2018 Matt Hodgson Rising Star medallist, Tevin Ferris, will start in the Number 8 position. Wests Scarborough’s Chris Tuatara-Morrison will run-on wearing the 12 jersey with the in-form Issak Fines starting as scrum-half.
Coming off the back of winning the NRCII Championship with Perth Gold, Aisake Meo has been called up to the Force bench for a potential debut, with Sampson highlighting the depth available in the squad.
“It’s a great reward for these players who have had very good club seasons with their respective clubs, but also recently with the Perth Gold side in Adelaide where they played exceptionally well,” Sampson said.
“They have been part of our wider team for a while now and they are very talented, so hopefully they get some good minutes and I am pretty excited to see them out there.”
The reserves have been further bolstered with the addition of UWA scrum-half Rory O’Sullivan and Palmyra’s Chris Miller on the wing.
Youngster Ben Grant re-joins the 23 for Johan Bardoul who will miss the remainder of the NRC season due to a serious hamstring injury.
The match will be broadcast live on Fox Sports from 9am AWST and streamed on KAYO and rugby.com.au.
https://www.westernforce.com.au/forc...r-premiership/
Believe Michael McDonald may be getting involved in this game as well possibly.
Mighty Marcel back for the finals?
Anyone know who’s captaining the side now Prior is out?
RWC players have a stand down period after the tournament.Quote:
Originally Posted by chibi
I think Tessman was part of the leadership team, wasn't he? Alternatively, Thrush.Quote:
Originally Posted by Alison
NSW Country get the last nominationQuote:
Originally Posted by The InnFORCEr
https://www.rugby.com.au/news/2019/1...ar-will-harris