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It was far from a classic, and it will never be remembered anywhere as a great game of rugby, but the Force and the Brumbies have shared the honours in a game not short of a few thrilling moments. An after the siren penalty attempt by James O’Connor fell just short to deny the home team a win that was theirs for the taking.
The Brumbies won the coin toss and opted to kick off on a mild night in Perth. The men in white looked solid on attack in the early stages, although they were aided by Pek Cowan down behind play. David Pocock put in a sterling effort to win a turnover, thwarting the Brumbies attack. However a lost Force line-out saw the Brumbies spin the ball wide and exploit the same wing that the Crusaders enjoyed 3 weekends ago with Henry Speight going over to open the scoring. Giteau’s conversion made the score 7-0 to the Brumbies.
Where the Waratahs may have ignored the fan’s calls for more entertaining rugby, the message has not been lost on Richard Graham. The Force opted to kick for touch on two penalties within O’Connor’s range; much to the joy of the home fans. Many, many turnovers later, the Force managed to clean up a sloppy ruck and send the ball to an unmarked Sam Wykes who crossed for his second try of the season. O’Connor’s conversion levelled the scores at 7-7.
Matt Giteau hit back with his second of two penalty attempts, the first coming off the upright and almost causing a bit of déjà-vu. It seemed to come against the run of play, however, as the Force were beginning to dominate both the scrum and the breakdown, causing numerous turnovers.
A scrum penalty to the Force gave O’Connor a shot at goal and his ever-true boot didn’t disappoint the home fans. The scores yet again levelled at 10-10.
The final few minutes went by with plenty of exciting, with the Force hot on attack metres out from the Brumbies line, however the Force couldn’t find their way across the chalk and Josh Valentine hoofed the ball into touch to end the half.
Richard Graham reigned in the changes after the break with Ripia coming off and O’Connor moving to 10, adding a bit of sparkle to the Force attack.
The Force continued the second half where they left off; deep in Brumbies territory and with plenty of possession. Yet for all the prime attacking opportunities, the Force failed to make an impact on the scoreboard with two O’Connor penalty attempts going astray.
The scrappiness of the first half continued to creep into the game as neither team looked like getting anywhere near the try line. Some Force pressure, after a great build up by the hardworking forwards, almost saw a 5 pointer to James O’Connor only for him to lose the ball over the line.
The Force had the penalty advantage, however, and continued to press at the Brumbies line with a series of 5 metre scrums. However the dedicated Brumbies defence hung on to keep the home team out.
James O’Connor finally broke the deadlock at the 70th minute mark with a tough sideline penalty. But the Brumbies broke back immediately with one to Matt Giteau- equalling the scores at 13-13.
In the final few minutes neither team was able to get themselves into a position to win the game. The Brumbies came close only for a charged down drop goal attempt by Matt Giteau gifted the ball back to the Force, who won a penalty 10 metres from the sideline on the 50 metre mark. O’Connor’s attempt didn’t have the legs, yet the Force forwards were able to win the ball back from the Brumbies. They couldn’t clinch it, however, with the Brumbies winning a penalty for holding on and Matt Giteau sending the ball into touch to finish the game 13-13.
The Good
The Force scrum has come along in leaps and bounds this year; hats off to Nick Stiles for that effort. While it was worrying to see Pek Cowan go off with what looked like a broken jaw (Graham says it looks like season over for him), watching Dunning, Charles and Longbottom stick it up the Brumbies front row was a joy to watch. Charles did his Wallabies prospects no end of good tonight and you have to wonder how much more Longbottom could do before he comes onto Deans’ radar.
The breakdown was also an excellent aspect of play for the Force tonight. The Brumbies simply couldn’t hold onto the ball and a lot of that came down to David Pocock and Matt Hodgson. It almost seemed like the Brumbies were giving it away for free in some parts of the game. It wouldn’t surprise me if Pocock leaps to the top of the Super XV pilfers table after that effort- and that’s despite missing half the season with injury.
The Bad
We had mountains of territory and possession and yet we did nothing with it. How many 5 metres scrums did we have? How many 5 metre line-outs? You need to come away from the opposition red zone with points at least one time in three and, for all the possession we had, we only managed to score three times. How do you fix our attack? It reminds me of a Simpsons quote from Ned Flander’s mother: “You gotta help us, Doc. We’ve tried nothing and we’re all out of ideas.” Credit to the Brumbies- their defence was good- but if we ever want to become a top half of the table side we need to be far better than we were. Although I enjoyed seeing the early kicks for touch instead of for goal, when it was clear that wasn’t working, Sharpie should have pointed for the posts and built a buffer before declaring an all-out attack. I suppose the good news is that we have all the potential to become an amazing team: A powerful scrum, a well functioning line-out, a backrow that can cause havoc at the breakdown. We just need that last piece of the puzzle to fall into place in the backline and get our players to turn all of that into points.
The Ugly
The vBookie must have cleaned up pretty well on this weekend’s book. Boo.
Man of the Match
The official man of the match was Sam Wykes and that’s a pretty fair call. Almost all of the Force forwards put their hand up for this one, while it is hard to pick a standout amongst the backs. Harder still to pick a standout amongst the Brumbies. Matt Dunning was a rock in the scrum and put in some good hits. David ‘the Vulture’ Pocock had an excellent game and gave the Brumbies numerous headaches. Matt Hodgson was his usual quiet, yet effective self. But Wykes ran the ball well, scored a try, was reliable in the line-out and popped up everywhere around the field.
Notes:
Willie Ripia has been struggling with a calf problem. Richard Graham said that his lower leg muscles haven't returned to fitness since being in the moon boot and that partially explains why he has lacked form recently. Thats why he was subbed in the second half. O'Connor looked good at 10 but we really need a Scott Staniforthesque 12. Power and pace.
Tony Rea didn't have a spray in the post-match interviews. He was pretty happy with the draw. Clutching at straws. It sounded like the Brumbies were signing the team song after the game. You've got to take what you can get. I'm surprised the players hadn't forgotten the words.
Last edited by James; 21-05-11 at 22:03.
Smoke me a kipper, I'll be back for breakfast.
David Smith obviously isn't known for his tackling abilities! Was soft vs Crusaders & like a turnstile tonight.
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A draw?
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Shoulda won that one.....attack looks better with JOC at 10. poor execution in passing let them down though.Pases were either behind, above or at the ankles at times.
Cant complain about the scrum though....Dunning had a great game....some of his tackles were mint in the first half.
Pathetic!
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Draw would be a fair result - neither side deserved to win that
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that was pretty shit all around really. To not have any meaningful penetration against the brumbies with that turnover count and that muchpossession surely indicates either our backs aren't capable or there is no plan. Good work by the forwards though
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Well that was
At least the Heineken Cup Final is on tonight, will get to see one entertaining game of rugby today.
Go back to the first Reds game of the season, the Rebels game in Perth, the Blues game in Perth, etc etc. The common theme is that we dominate the game and the possession and territory stats but just can't come away with meat pies for all our dominance and time in the opposition 22. Too ponderous when we should have been quicker, too rash when we should have been patient, option taking is not great on attack esp in the face of a determined defense. Who is our attack coach again?!
Thank God Ripia was subbed. For all those who say "give him time, he's young, he's working out our backline combinations, etc", I counter with these: he continually cuts out JOC, our best player on attack, his kickoffs are NEVER contestable for us, and his kicking out of defense is atrocious! He has the look of a guy out West for a holiday.
When JOC went to 10 there was more spark in our play, but less space for him to light that spark with the Ponies targeting his space. Ideally he needs to be outside a 10 that creates some space FOR HIM.
Wykes had a good first half but went missing in the second.
Our set piece was good throughout despite the forced changes of personnel.
As the saying goes, like kissing your sister...
Last edited by BeeJay; 22-05-11 at 03:22.
I watched it on Fox and was rather amazed at how much the commentators were up Rabbit's arse. He could do no wrong, it would seem. Then he missed a kick at goal....
still don't really look like they have an attack coach.
I think Brett Sheehan needed to be subbed with 15 to go as he was far to slow and not getting the ball out of the rucks and scrums quick enuff the brumbies were always readyu at the set piece /....... Chucky should have been let of his leash to up ther tempo of the game ...
At least they were learning to not kick as much...in the first half.
"12 Years aSupporter" starring the #SeaOfBlue
I might be having a dig but do I give a sh1t no. I'm entitled to I'm there week in week out.
First half -Positivies.
We ran the ball, we put it thru the hands, there was 2 clear try opportunities that the umpire called back, I feel we should of been up by 5 - 10 points at half time.
First half -Negativies.
Ripia is suppose to be our marque player but goes missing more often than I care to imagine espically when we need him most.
F***n Glory boy passes, a 5% chance of coming off and a 95% chance of messing up. and its been like this since 2005. Communication on the field we have 15 team players, not 15 individuals.
Smith or QCooper whos the better tackler, neither both turnstyles
Second half -Positivies.
Minimal, JOC moving into 10 and Ripia going "somewhere"
Second half -Negativies.
We went back to "boring rugby" and continued to kick the ball instead of running it or putting it thru the hands.
JOC in the last 3 minutes (kicked the ball ready to hand over the ball) why why why ?
Why did we try and win the game off a kick 55meters out and the wind into your face, STUPID Decision. odds would of been 100 - 1 for JOC to get that. not sure if its a blame Sharpie or JOC. TAP and Go and wait for a Brumbies error or a try ?
We played two different halves and if we lost it on the game plan we played in the first half i would of gone away upset but not angry like I am at the moment !!
2012 - Captain Bam Bam.
2012 - Judas James wont be here.
only my 2 cents, not worth anything but just another grumpy ole supporter supporting the FORCE.
every game the Force play is worse than the previous one. It was shockingly poor display of nothing.
The Force had a draw against one of the weakest team in Super Rugby. I am tired of all these pretty boys that think they are gods gift to earth but plays like girls. There is no intensity and no fight It is shit rugby at it's best and embarrassing to watch.