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Thread: Matey Force put friendships aside

  1. #1
    Immortal Contributor The InnFORCEr's Avatar
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    Matey Force put friendships aside

    Justin Chadwick
    May 6, 2014, 4:29 pm



    Friendships will be put on hold for 80 minutes when Western Force duo Wilhelm Steenkamp and Sias Ebersohn take on some of their old pals in Saturday night's Super Rugby showdown against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein.

    Steenkamp played one season for the Cheetahs in 2011, while Ebersohn spent five years at the South African franchise before crossing to the Force at the end of 2012.

    On paper, the fifth-placed Force should have little trouble beating the Cheetahs, who are languishing in last spot on the table after snaring just two wins and a draw from 11 games.

    But Steenkamp said his former side would be a formidable force on their home turf.

    "I don't know where people get that impression that we're going to beat them easily. They're difficult at home," Steenkamp said.

    "It's not going to be strange for me.

    "When you run out on the field for those 80 minutes, there's no friends or mates. It's just another team you play against.

    "Afterwards, you can have a beer together and chat but, for that 80 minutes, we are just aiming to get the result."

    The Cheetahs have leaked an average of 4.5 tries per game over their past eight matches.

    But their ability to score three tries per game over that period means the Force can't afford to slack off in defence.

    The Force will be within touching distance of locking away a maiden finals berth if they can come away with wins against the Cheetahs and Stormers on their two-game tour of South Africa.

    Steenkamp has played a major role in the Force's rise this season, and the 29-year-old has no regrets about leaving his homeland South Africa to continue his rugby career in Perth.

    "Definitely for me, it was the right decision to go for the Force," said Steenkamp, who is in the first year of a three-season deal.

    "I'm enjoying my time there and I get a lot of game time."

    https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/sp...ndships-aside/

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    80 Minutes, 15 Positions, No Protection, Wanna Ruck?

    Ruck Me, Maul Me, Make Me Scrum!

    Education is Important, but Rugby is Importanter!

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    Veteran Contributor hertryk's Avatar
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    The last time our Sias played the Cheetahs he had a shocker.. (IMVERYHO).... But I know he's been practicing since, and continues to do so! Don't you Sias??

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  3. #3
    Player Kept One's Avatar
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    The Cheetahs are especially difficult to play at home, but if the boys play with same tenacity as they have showed for most of their games this year we should come up with a win.

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  4. #4
    Legend Contributor Alison's Avatar
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    Are there altitude issues in Bloemfontein?

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    Veteran SNOB's Avatar
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    Yes!

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    May the FORCE be with you!

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    Immortal Contributor The InnFORCEr's Avatar
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    The Force are done the same as previous tours being based on the coast at Cape Town and travelling up for the match only. Not a week acclimatising as some choose to do

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    80 Minutes, 15 Positions, No Protection, Wanna Ruck?

    Ruck Me, Maul Me, Make Me Scrum!

    Education is Important, but Rugby is Importanter!

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    Legend Contributor Alison's Avatar
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    Well at least Sias and Wilhelm will be used to it! And Stander and Brache.... ;-))

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  8. #8
    Immortal Contributor shasta's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by SNOB View Post
    Yes!
    But not as drastic as Jo'burg or Pretoria, right?

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    "The main difference between playing League and Union is that now I get my hangovers on Monday instead of Sunday - Tom David


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    Champion andrewg's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Alison View Post
    Are there altitude issues in Bloemfontein?
    Bloem is at about 1,400m (Jhb at 1,680m).

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