Waratahs spoil Umaga's farewell

[Sagerian]

I think he's right though, the Force did only win 3 more than the Tahs. Goes to show how close the comp is that 3 games makes so much difference. All those close losses (for both our teams... )

[Darren]

and the Bulls *only* won 3 more than the Force ... it's pretty similar to last years final table as far as points spread goes - super12 years were similar too.

[Sagerian]

You don't need to tell me. Point differential cost us a home grand final.

[AndyS]

3 games are always going to be significant within the context of a 13 game competition regardless of where you are on the table. The point about the number of close games that the Australian teams in general managed to lose is interesting though. As you say, a few slightly different results and the table would have been a very different shape. Personally, I would see that as a healthy competition where most teams on a given day could beat anyone else, but the Aussie sides need a bit of mental hardening. Hardly the end of the world.

I am occasionally concerned at the manner in which the media covers this stuff, with the breast beating, sackcloth and ashes, "woe is Australian Rugby" - it focuses solely on the negative and quick fix. After that horror EOYT it is all "our forwards are rubbish, we have to focus on that as a priority" and then, after matches that prove to be a forward grind, it's "our backline play is terrible, we've lost the traditional Australian play, everyone's a robot". It annoys the hell out of me, and I think it damages the game in Australia - to the layman it sounds like "don't bother watching this, it is crap". You read the coverage of the other codes and it might be that one team is rubbish or not, but not that the code is rubbish. Wonder why they are doing so well comparatively?

[Burgs]

...and the Tahs only won 1.5 more than the Reds who are meant to be the scum of the Rugby playing earth.
I would see the season having panned out this years teams as:
1-6 (Sharks, Bulls, Crusaders, Blues, Brumbies, Chiefs)
7 (Western Force in limbo land)
8-12 (Hurricanes, Highlanders, Stormers, Cheetahs & Lions)
13-14 (Waratahs & Reds)
I would suggest any team outside of the top six have some major work to do in the off season and even 5 (losing so much experience) and 6 (terrible defence) will have some worrying issues to address as well.

[The InnFORCEr]

Interetingly the did beat 1st and 2nd at their home grounds in South Africa and lost to 3rd n 6th in NZ and 4th n 5th at Subi Oval.

[chook]

Have the Force beaten the Tahs yet?

[frontrow]

Not yet...

[Sagerian]

Force Undeafeated against:
Cheetahs

Force yet to beat:
Crusaders
Blues
Waratahs (close)
Brumbies (close)
Chiefs
Lions (close)
Highlanders (close)

[frontrow]

Crusaders was close, we was robbed last year, and no comment on this year...

[Burgs]

Force 7th
Waratahs 13th

[chook]

Thats an old stat now Burgs

[Burgs]

Ok-
Force Championships from seasons: 0/2
Waratahs Championships from seasons: 0/12

[Sagerian]

Oh dear... Time for me to leave this thread.

[chook]

We are still the best though. Everyone knows that