Cams Column #5 - pre Crusaders game

[travelling_gerry]

Western Force confident of victory over Crusaders

Western Force fullback Cameron Shepherd

March 05, 2008 12:00pm

THE new experimental laws for this season have allowed us to play the style of rugby that we enjoy and want to play, writes Force fullback Cameron Shepherd.
I think we have adapted well because what they have done is really open up the game.

The Kiwi sides have probably adapted the best, particularly the Blues and Crusaders, who are head and shoulders above the rest, but I'd say that we are the best of the Australian sides.

We are on the way to their level.

The teams that don't just reef the ball away, kick deep and play far-end football are the teams that are coming up with the results.

Under the old laws it was all about playing field position, but under the new laws having the defence back an extra 5m from the scrums has allowed more free flow.

Mitch (coach John Mitchell) wants us to attack from deep with the ball in hand, and if you have that willingness, the extra space can do nothing but good.

The extra space from the scrum gives more opportunity to take on a player one-on-one, it gives you a shot at space.

The South African teams seem to be lagging behind and, judging by what we saw on tour, it could take them a while to adjust.

They are traditionally strong defensively and in their structure. While both these areas are important, they don't seem to be as fit as Australian and New Zealand sides.

Because Super 14 is not the longest of competitions, they are going to have to change pretty quickly.

You need to be able to get around the field a lot quicker under these laws. All players from the front row to the fullback have to be fitter. There's no switching off, or a quick tap or lineout throw will catch you out.

We put in a pretty big pre-season and I think it is showing.

We finished off as the better side at altitude in Johannesburg and that is not something you often do as a visiting side.

While we were reasonably pleased with the nine points we picked up from our three weeks in South Africa, we won't be looking too far ahead .

We all know that Sunday at Subi against the Crusaders is going to be a big task, but we are confident of going one better than the last time we played them at home.

[Swee_82]

I know he got pilliored a bit last week for writing "meaningless fluff"... but any number of rugby writers will tell me about the game- I wanna hear where Drew's green speedos have been spotted this week!

[Thequeerone]

Nope good article - from that am guessing Stannard is starting - quite happy not to get fixated by underwear - have to watch the blood pressure

[KenyaQuin]

Nope good article - from that am guessing Stannard is starting -

TQ1..how did you figure that out? Did I miss something?

[Thequeerone]

Quote Cam "The extra space from the scrum gives more opportunity to take on a player one-on-one, it gives you a shot at space. "

One thing that most people have commented on with Stannard is the quick ball - suspecting that he got a bit of guidance from Jak - curious about O'Young but am guessing this is not the game to find out

[KenyaQuin]

Ah, I see. Thought you were referring to the fitness

You need to be able to get around the field a lot quicker under these laws. All players from the front row to the fullback have to be fitter. There's no switching off, or a quick tap or lineout throw will catch you out.

[no.8]

Force
Tries - Shepherd, James, Conversions - Shepherd, Penalties, Shepherd 2

Crusaders
Tries - Tuiali'i, MacDonald, Gear, Penalties - Carter 2

Western Force:
1 Gareth Hardy
2 Tai McIsaac
3 Angus Scott
4 Pat O'Connor
5 Nathan Sharpe (c)
6 David Pusey
7 Matt Hodgson
8 Scott Fava
9 Matt Henjak
10 Scott Daruda
11 Digby Ioane
12 Scott Staniforth
13 Josh Graham
14 Haig Sare
15 Cameron Shepherd
16 Luke Holmes
17 David Te Moana
18 Luke Doherty
19 Tim Davidson
20 Chris O'Young
21 Brock James
22 Tajhon Mailata.

Crusaders:
1 Wyatt Crockett
2 Corey Flynn
3 Campbell Johnstone
4 Ross Filipo
5 Kevin O'Neill
6 Reuben Thorne
7 Richie McCaw (c)
8 Mose Tuiali'i
9 Andrew Ellis
10 Daniel Carter
11 Scott Hamilton
12 Aaron Mauger
13 Caleb Ralph
14 Rico Gear
15 Leon MacDonald
16 Tone Kopelani
17 Greg Somerville
18 Johnny Leo'o
19 Tanerau Latimer
20 Kevin Senio
21 Stephen Brett
22 Casey Laulala

[WHIRO]

Stannard has been performing well to date, nice direct quick ball, .....if it aint broke don't fix it!

Plus I'm slightly biased being a St Eddies Old Boy.

[BLR]

I'm going to do the exact same thing I did at the last Saders game in 06, sit back and expect the Saders to blow us out of the water...it worked last time

[WF2006]

I'm going to do the exact same thing I did at the last Saders game in 06, sit back and expect the Saders to blow us out of the water...it worked last time

Yup, good plan....we also have to pray Geoff Acton doesn't get the TMO gig this weekend too!

[WHIRO]

With you on the TMO gig WF2006.
Geoff Acton inspired our plates !!!!!
Definition of ripped off = WF2323

[AndyS]

Referee: Willie Roos (South Africa)
Touch judges: Jaco Peyper (South Africa), James Scholtens (Australia)
Television match official: George Ayoub (Australia)
Assessor: Brendan McCormick (Australia)

[travelling_gerry]

George Ayoub cost us the game v Brumbies last year.

[BLR]

George Ayoub cost us the game v Brumbies last year.

I knew I didn't trust that name....

[AndyS]

Thought that one would draw a comment...