2015 Season

[kipper_mckinnon]

I've been waiting patiently for a thread to start up this which discusses our thoughts and hopes for this upcoming season.

So, in the absence of one, I thought I'd start one off.

Will we finally make the finals?
Where will we end up in the Conference?
We have never won our season opener - will it be this season?
Will Cummins cut his hair?

So, many questions, so little time to go.
I'm very excited.

Go the FORCE

[MI5_Dog]

the big problem for the 'Tahs is if they start to believe their own hype.
if that's the case i don't think they'll exactly be 'on fire' on Sunday.
The also don't have as much go forward in their back row as last year and that's going to hurt them.
However I think the Force will really have to have everything clicking at once for us to beat them at home.
Defence will have to be as good as we had it in our hard fought games last year.
Our set piece will have to be excellent
and we'll HAVE to show some great attack.
Not impossible but a big ask for the first game of the season.

[jargan83]

Maybe a Mod can sticky this threa so we can have a look at the end of the season.

As for the questions.

1. No
2. 3rd
3. No
4. No

My support will still be unconditonal.

[GIGS20]

I think this might be the year we finally crack the finals,

We were within a bees dick last year and have purchased well, so I think we'll improve.

I'm not game to commit to a place in the Conference, either Second or Third. The performance of the Brumbies will determine that. I AM confident that we'll be fighting it out with the Brums for that second spot and the finals.

We are a very long shot for winning vs the Tahs this year, their trope is to start well and die in the arse in the middle of the season, we have also lost a lot with Hodgo out....I'd love to see it but I thik it'll be a bridge too far.

The Badger's hair survived Japan, it isn't under threat.

I would like to add to the conversation Who do you think will step up this year, the fringe player who finally makes a play for a regular spot to the surprise of most. My vote is Luke Burton, He looked like a very handy inside utility back, able to cover 10, 12 and possibly Wing/Fullback. To get a regular start, the only possibility IMHO is 10, with either Sias or Zac missing out. I think more likely he will tie down a bench utility back slot and be our Adam Ashley-Cooper for a while.

[The InnFORCEr]

1. Yes
2. 2nd
3. Bloody hope so!
4. Chonmage

[kipper_mckinnon]

Maybe a Mod can sticky this threa so we can have a look at the end of the season.

As for the questions.

1. No
2. 3rd
3. No
4. No

My support will still be unconditonal.

Unfortunately, I am in agreement with your jargs

[kipper_mckinnon]

"I would like to add to the conversation Who do you think will step up this year, the fringe player who finally makes a play for a regular spot to the surprise of most. My vote is Luke Burton"

I'm really hoping Burton gets a decent number of games - he really looked good in his limited number of games last year. Either 10 or centre.
I expect Coleman and Cottrell to have huge seasons and really push for a spot in the Wallabies world cup squad.
Smokey? - Ryan Louwrens

[valzc]

They all played well and impressed in the trials with a good aggressive attitude which they're really gonna have to draw on with the Tahs as they're bound to come out super aggro like last year. Hopefully as mentioned they'll be believing their own hype and condescending attitude to the Force and balls up. Potgeiter I think is the worst offender - more crashball approach than actual skill so would like to see him shut down early as they did in our home game vs Tahs. Skelton can just get run off his feet and cutoff at the ankles then jump in for his offload! It's a big call for Sammy, he'll need to come out of his shell more for captaincy in this game. Hopefully not spew as much!

[Darren]

I've been waiting patiently for a thread to start up this which discusses our thoughts and hopes for this upcoming season.

So, in the absence of one, I thought I'd start one off.

Will we finally make the finals?
Where will we end up in the Conference?
We have never won our season opener - will it be this season?
Will Cummins cut his hair?

So, many questions, so little time to go.
I'm very excited.

Go the FORCE

First 3 questions could go either way, and the answer to the 4th would have to be the honey badger don't care.

My question is - will we see some good rugby?

I can cop a loss if we are playing good rugby

[chibi]

Let's just hope we don't have any throw-away performances like that shitfest against the Blues last year; those can really derail your season.

[hertryk]

I wish I could provide the book All Black Legends - Why the All Blacks so successful..... to everyone of our boys... there are so much that the boys could learn, and take from the book... inmyveryho...
They go into every game with .....Losing is NOT an option... it is instilled into every player's head..right from get go....
Every player including the "dirt trackers" are ready to play and are treated no differently to the regular starting 15...
dicipline, standards, are sorted..mostly by the senior players.. before anything gets out of hand.. the players are involved with the game plan ... it is a very interesting read... inmyveryho

[antiussentiment]

I can cop a loss if we are playing good rugby

My flat mate is a Kiwi. While I can still smile if we play well and get beaten. He has no idea about dealing with loss. Supporting a team that almost always wins makes you a terrible looser. Watching the All Blacks (or Chiefs) get beaten with him in the room is almost worth paying for.. I've been to see fringe festival shows that, while still pretty good, at not as entertaining as watching him deal with a loss..

I on the other hand.. have less trouble..
~laughs~

I'm upbeat about this season..
I think we'll make the finals.
In the top two in the conference.
We ambush an over confident Warrrratahs team in two days.
Badger in pigtails by May..

[hertryk]

"They (The Force) have a big task ahead but they have built a really strong, powerful culture," Sharpe said.