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Thread: Heat on Force to tighten up defence

  1. #1
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    Heat on Force to tighten up defence

    NICK TAYLOR, The West Australian
    February 7, 2011, 8:13 am

    The Western Force will be concentrating on late game defence as they prepare for their second warm-up match against the NSW Waratahs on Thursday.

    Coaching staff were pleased with the 40-24 win over the Australian Barbarians in Sydney on Saturday but not so pleased with the last quarter, when three tries were conceded.

    "I was reasonably happy with some of our early effort in that game," coach Richard Graham said.

    "We probably just lost a little bit of shape as the game went on but that is the challenge.

    "It's not always going to be best-case scenario and as a group you need to work your way out if it.

    "There is no point coming into these games and getting an easy win by 30 or 40 points and walking away thinking everything is rosy.

    "Clearly we have some areas we need to work on. We'll go back to the training field over the next few days before we meet the Waratahs and hope to see some progression when that game comes around."

    Defence coach Phil Blake said: "We weren't happy with that last quarter and there are areas where we can improve."

    But he saw plenty of positives in the game, played in 45C.

    "Our forwards were good, the set piece was efficient, our midfield was solid and the back three were slick," he said. "Some of our long midfield passing was outstanding.

    "At times we turned what could have been a vulnerability, a weakness, and moved into position of power."

    The heat took its toll late in the game and Graham said a competition match would have been delayed or even postponed.

    "That was probably the hottest conditions you'd be asked to play rugby in," he said.

    "I always knew we were going to be a little bit underdone from a rugby perspective, however I know the physical gains they have made will hold us in good stead.

    "Everything about pre-season is building a foundation for the season and when you get to these games you want them to be as tough as it possibly can because you're about to go into the toughest provincial competition in world rugby."

    http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/spo...en-up-defence/

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  2. #2
    Veteran zimeric's Avatar
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    misleading headline ... again
    maybe we should get the Journo to write his articles in 40 degree heat and see what the end of his composition reads like.....

    Nick you failed to make note of the fact that it was atrocious conditions and that there were significant changes to the lineup after half time. But i guess you would want to try take some negativity from a 15 point drubbing

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  3. #3
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    It's fair enough. Of all the games we will need our defence to be top notch it will be the season opener. The Reds are the most potent team in the competition. If we don't defend for 80 minutes we'll get torn to shreds.

    There are two very damning statistics: We've never beaten the Reds in Brisbane. We've never won the first game of a season.

    Here is to defying statistics.

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    (formerly known as Coach) Your Humble Servant Darren's Avatar
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    Bear in mind that the Reds have never beaten us in the opening game of a Super 14/Rugby season!

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    Champion Rex Messup's Avatar
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    The Reds are white hot
    Ioane cut us to ribbons last year
    If we tackle like we did against a no name combination that met each other an hour before kickoff.........we are in deep poo
    The Reds will be pumped
    They are coming off a big year last year. The combinations are better. The confidence is there. They are another year developed. They are playing at home with the flood and cyclone disasters to fire them up for the people.
    I agree with the journalist
    Great to see the paranoia firing early in 2011

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    Immortal GIGS20's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Rex Messup View Post
    The Reds are white hot
    Ioane cut us to ribbons last year
    If we tackle like we did against a no name combination that met each other an hour before kickoff.........we are in deep poo
    The Reds will be pumped
    They are coming off a big year last year. The combinations are better. The confidence is there. They are another year developed. They are playing at home with the flood and cyclone disasters to fire them up for the people.
    I agree with
    the journalist Great to see the paranoia firing early in 2011
    I agree with you more when I read selectively Rex

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    C'mon the

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    Champion Rex Messup's Avatar
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    You can get special glasses for your dyslexia Gigs

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    Immortal GIGS20's Avatar
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    Yeah, I guess......but there's nothing that can cure being a dick head

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    C'mon the

  9. #9
    Champion Rex Messup's Avatar
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    What have you tried?

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  10. #10
    Immortal Contributor shasta's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Rex Messup View Post
    What have you tried?
    Great comeback Rex. Tore him to shreds.

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  11. #11
    Veteran Contributor normie's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Coach View Post
    Bear in mind that the Reds have never beaten us in the opening game of a Super 14/Rugby season!
    ...and I guess they never will...

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