The Force forwards are a beast! They demolished so many scrums in that game! Humphries has been a terrific coach, and I believe Foley has given some invaluable help as well, great seeing what a weapon they’ve developed. I like weapons.
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The Force forwards are a beast! They demolished so many scrums in that game! Humphries has been a terrific coach, and I believe Foley has given some invaluable help as well, great seeing what a weapon they’ve developed. I like weapons.
Yes poor Kieran, he had a pretty hard time of it. He struggled last week as well-he seems to be attracting a lot of heavy attention from some big boys, but he’s a machine! Hope the team can help him more in support which they seeem to be doing, why he isn’t in Wobblies is ridiculous.
A write up from the RA mouthpiece rugby.com.au, not many rugby sites reporting the NRC results.
Quote:
Force to victory over Queensland Country
YESTERDAY AT 6:19 PM NRC
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by Iain Payten
Nerveless skipper Ian Prior iced a conversion in the dying minutes to claim victory for the Western Force over Queensland Country on the Gold Coast.
In a 12-try belter that saw the lead change hands numerous times - and numerous highlight reel moments - the Force drew level with Queensland Country with a hard-earned try to fullback Jack McGregor in the 75th minute.
That left Prior with a kick to effectively seal victory from out wide, and as he’d done with his previous five kicks at Bond University, the no.9 nailed it.
The Force delivered the Queensland Country side their first loss of the NRC season but such was the quality of the game, you suspect these two teams may meet again with silverware on the line later in the season.
Eighty-two points were scored but that didn’t reflect an afternoon of poor defence from either side.
Instead, both teams displayed a high-skill attacking game that thoroughly entertained the crowd.
Queensland Country did well to even be as close as they were on the scoreboard, given the Force’s total dominance at scrum time, and their own poor discipline.
Queensland Country had enough class in attack to overcome those issues but what they couldn’t deny was the Force grit, and never-say-die spirit.
“It was just a good game of footy wasn’t it?” Prior said post-game.
“Two good teams going at it. It was certainly physical and certainly fast, the lungs were burning there.
“I am proud of the effort the boys put in.”
The Force opened the scoring first when Rod Davies ducked through some defence but the Queensland Country response was a gem.
Felipe Daugunu and Duncan Paia'aua combined with several back-and-forth passes on a right edge breakaway that saw the latter score a memorable try.
A yellow card to James Slipper followed and the Force made the most of their extra man, with Marcel Brache bagging two tries in his absence.
They opened up a decent lead but Queensland Country drew to within two points at halftime after Tate McDermott scored under the sticks and then Jock Campbell scored on the stroke of halftime after another superb link between Paia'aua and Daugunu created a break.
The Queenslanders took the lead after oranges with 8. Sunia Finefeuiaki scoring from close range, but the Force replied through Masivesi Dakuwaqa, who collected a neat Andrew Deegan kick.
Jordan Petaia, playing fullback, replied straight away with another try but Davies scored a second minutes later after yet another a dominant scrum.
The rollercoaster ride had more to run.
The Country men looked liked they’d timed their run best when Tom Kibble scored and took the lead with ten minutes to go, but with rampaging no.8 Brynard Stander leading the way, the Force had one last push.
McGregor, another who played strongly, powered through a couple of defenders to score the equaliser and Prior stepped up for the conversion.
Queensland Country had time to score again but Stander stood tall with a crucial turnover at the death to put an end to the contest.
Western Force 42
Tries: Brache 2, Davies 2, McGregor, Dakuwaqa,
Conversions: Prior 6
Queensland Country 40
Tries: Kibble, Petaia, Finefueaki, Campbell, McDermott, Paia'aua
Conversions: Stewart 5
Recognition for the beast!
Western Force edge Queensland Country in NRC thriller
Nick Taylor PerthNow
THERE is an old adage in rugby about forwards winning games and backs deciding by how much.
The Western Force put truth to that maxim in their gritty 42-40 win over National Rugby Championship leaders and reigning premiers Queensland Country on the Gold Coast on Saturday.
More here
https://www.perthnow.com.au/sport/we...-ng-b88969324z
Meagre crowd at Concord with Rays trounced at the end by Drua, in front of Clyne, Castle, Robinson & Bill Beaumont. There were more tossers squeezed into the corporate boxes than out in the stadium. Wonder if Clyne wore camouflage to avoid being recognised. What an impressive result by the Rays....not. 1 losing bonus point so far, & Curtis & Shambeckler have been their best players. Must have REALLY impressed World Rugby with that fan base. Reckon Twiggy should invite them over for a Phil the Hill turnout!
When the camera focused on the Clyne & his VIPs, the commentator said something about "big announcements" shortly. As the game was in Western Sydney, I was expecting after the game for Clyne to announce the something like "RA have managed, after much negotiation, to secure WSR team for Western Sydney" and try to steal the thunder from Twiggy.
Aargh! That loss vs Canberra is still pissing me off after looking at the ladder.