Match Report: Western Force vs Blues

[antiussentiment]

and if i don't like what i see.

the kitten dies!!

and i'll probably smash some crockery also.

[jazza93]

James, i remember you said in another thread it would be a draw. Congrats!

Great game of rugby, Blues looked better on paper but we looked like the smarter team. Our backrow and Shepheard was outstanding.

I haven't watched the replay yet, but from the ground it looked like a solid display of refereeing.

As for the last penalty.... Pick and Goes REQUIRE players to go off their feat to be successful. If you do 5 straight in your own half, your going to get penalized. Didn't we learn anything from the tri-nations when SA tried to run-out the game? (only to give away a penalty for Beale to slot) We should of kept the ball in the Blues half even if it meant losing possession.

A draw with the Blues is a good result in hindsight. O'Conner looks very good at 2nd reciever so i can't wait for Ripia to get on the pitch!

[GIGS20]

gotta say i'm fuggin sick of being almost there. Time to put a performance together boys! The jenkins penalty looked pretty soft in the context of the game, the ball was being slowed all night, suddenly on the line it's a penalty?

I'm not unhappy with nathan pearce so much as georgey ayoub AGAIN!

What's he got against us scoring?
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[Swee_82]

Oh for the day that results like that are not the common lot of the supporter. Massive efforts from so many of the boys tonight, was a good spectacle from both sides for a large part of the match. Blues certainly got out of jail there- they and their fans knew it as well.
If they reproduce that intensity (preferably minus a few penalties) it will be an interesting tour to SA.

[Kimbo Moz]

What an empty feeling...again...why can't we close out a game? The Force have to learn to play the entire 80 minutes...I'm losing the faith

[James]

In the post-match interviews Brendan Cannon told Nick Taylor to call his wife and hide all the sharp objects. Classic.

Apparently Ripia will train with the team on Tuesday. No presumably that means no more moonboot. After the way they guys played tonight you'd be wanting to bring him on from the bench.

Bring on the Lions.

I'll put up a proper match report when I get home.

[jazza93]

Just seen the replay of the "held up" try. For all the camera angles not to show up one frame of the ball being grounded, its not a huge surprise the video ref went the way he did. At least we got a reward for O'Conner's amazing run 2 minutes later.

[Sheikh]

Lost the win by being too conservative when ahead.

Pearce was a bit of a tool and very pedantic about a couple of things. My biggest issue about him was the length of advantages. He'd call advantage for us and give us 1-2 phases to make it count, but for the Blues he'd give 5-6 phases. He was a lot better at calling the scrums, though, to the extent of the Blues hooker complaining!

[jazza93]

O'conner was good but... How was Sam Wykes for man of the match? For a lock he was everywhere.

[jargan83]

O'conner was good but... How was Sam Wykes for man of the match? For a lock he was everywhere.

Got to agree - he kept popping up everywhere

Hope he hasnt done anything serious seeing him limp off

[travelling_gerry]

Jono Jenkins.....2 Force caps.....2 minutes on the field....now known as "Noodles"

[travelling_gerry]

PS. George Ayoub is a xxxxing CHEAT!!

[travelling_gerry]

PPS>>>> 10 points to Sam Wykes. Denied the try...then in the re-set could have gone over again and unselfishly gave it to the Cullet.

[fulvio sammut]

And if your aunt had them, Gerry, she'd be your uncle.

[blueandblack]

PS. George Ayoub is a xxxxing CHEAT!!

I used another C word in my description.

...Fox Sports Greg Clarke & Greg Martin seemed thrilled that the Force did not win

Phil Kearns would have exploded internally with joy I expect.

Great effort by the Force (aside from a few small things like not holding onto the ball all the time and a few misaimed passes). Yet again ref appeared to be actively supporting the opposition for the most part. Disappointed with the draw but hopefully Force guys can use it as inspiration for the rest of the season.