Super 15: Western Force - Reds @ nib Stadium, Perth (11-06-2011, 13:05 GMT)

TRF_Ezequiel · Jun 9, 2011

nib Stadium, Perth (11-06-2011, 13:05 GMT)

Reds-Western Force, the second Australian derby this weekend. Having qualified first this year after the Waratahs' loss in Pretoria last week, the Reds have nothing to lose. Or do they? Being 1st on the overall log is an advantage and with the Stormers and Blues having difficult conference matches (Against the Bulls and Crusaders resp.) they can claim the top position with 1 round still to play. Having beaten the Blues, Crusaders, Stormers, Bulls and Waratahs (at home) they have shown great quality throughout the season.

The Force have nothing to play for besides pride. In previous years, the visitors have never won between the 2. The Force played the Reds twice in Perth and both times they won with amazing scores (38-3 in 2007 and 39-7 in 2009) and what are the chances of them pulling it off again?

<a href="http://winbetting.at/therugbyforum?CTY=1&CID=15908"><img src="http://b1.perfb.com/b1.php?ID=15908&PURL=winbetting.at/therugbyforum" border="0" /></a>

*Vbookie odds supplied by BWIN*

Darwin

AKA Dingo_Darwin

Jun 10, 2011

#2

Western Force :
1. Kieran Longbottom,2. Nathan Charles,3. Matt Dunning,4. Sam Wykes,5. Nathan Sharpe,6. Matt Hodgson,7. David Pocock,8. Richard Brown,9. Brett Sheehan,10. James Stannard,11. David Smith,12. Rory Sidey,13. Patrick Dellit,14. Nick Cummins,15. James O'Connor
Reserves:16. Ben Whittaker,17. Tim Fairbrother,18. Tom Hockings,19. Ben McCalman,20. Mark Swanepoel,21. Mitch Inman,22. Alfie Mafi

Good to see James O'Connor back for the Force, though it is interesting to see he is playing fullback. James Stannard has been impressive at first-five in the last two weeks so I'm not surprised to see him at 10, but I thought they may have been tempted to play O'Connor at 12, as Dellit looked very good at fullback last week. Not sure why Richard Brown is starting at No. 8 ahead of McCalman (perhaps McCalman is getting a well deserved rest?), but I'm sure McCalman will get a good 20-30 mins from the bench.

I haven't seen the Reds team named yet, but they are struggling with a few injuries. I would love to see the Force pull off ther upset, but I'm going to pick the Reds to take it by 10-15 points.

Last edited: Jun 10, 2011

Hulk Hogan

First XV

TRF Legend

Jun 10, 2011

#3

I would love to see the Force get hammered so hard Nathan Sharpe thinks he still plays for the Reds...

Leonormous Boozer

Fat Boi

TRF Legend

Jun 10, 2011

#4

Woldog said:
I would love to see the Force get hammered so hard Nathan Sharpe thinks he still plays for the Reds...

I would love to see the reds get hammered so hard Digby Ioane thinks he still plays for the Force... Actually after last week he probably does.

TNT88

First XV

Jun 10, 2011

#5

darwin_23 said:
Not sure why Richard Brown is starting at No. 8 ahead of McCalman (perhaps McCalman is getting a well deserved rest?), but I'm sure McCalman will get a good 20-30 mins from the bench.

Yea, probably just a rotation. Browne is a very good player and has spent too much time on the bench in the last few weeks.

Hulk Hogan

First XV

TRF Legend

Jun 10, 2011

#6

cmac95 said:
I would love to see the reds get hammered so hard Digby Ioane thinks he still plays for the Force... Actually after last week he probably does.

I'd love to see the force get hammered so hard they wish Digby Ioane still played for them!

Seaton

First XV

Jun 11, 2011

#7

I love how you rarely see empty seats when the Force play at home

They have started really, really well. Only 13-7 up but have totally dominated proceedings
Cooper had a 60 metre intercept try, and the Force have scored two through their 12

Mon the Force B)

TRF_Ezequiel

Kanko Krazy!!!

TRF Legend

Jun 11, 2011

#8

Try by Higginbothom makes it 16-14. This will be an interesting 2nd half.

RAWWeyman

Academy Player

Jun 11, 2011

#9

Force all the way

Seaton

First XV

Jun 11, 2011

#10

There seems to have been a pattern today, the dominant team(s) have been making mistakes in the second half today, and have so far ended up on the losing side...

C'mon the Force, we need you to win this one...

madflyhalf

Bench Player

Jun 11, 2011

#11

3 missed kicks lose it for WF!
Cooper slotted the 3 most difficult kicks of the match, and that made the difference today.

Well fought match, in the first half WF played better, but later slowly fade away, especially after Sharpie injury.

RAWWeyman

Academy Player

Jun 11, 2011

#12

madflyhalf said:
3 missed kicks lose it for WF!
Cooper slotted the 3 most difficult kicks of the match, and that made the difference today.

Well fought match, in the first half WF played better, but later slowly fade away, especially after Sharpie injury.

Not entirely, the Force's second half was very impressive as well. Just another unfortunate end to a match.

madflyhalf

Bench Player

Jun 11, 2011

#13

Yeah, great defence, steady and solid, even the late try came after 6-7 minutes of uninterrupted Reds possession, but to me Force lost the focus in attacking plays.

Seaton

First XV

Jun 11, 2011

#14

TRF_Getofmeland is going to be very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very,very, very, very, very, very,very, very, very, very, very, very,very, very, very, very, very,very, very, very, very, very, very,very, very, very, very, very,very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very,very, very, very, very, very, very,very happy

I told yous there wiz a pattern, imo Blues, Highlanders and Force deserved the wins more than there opponents, just too many errors and opportunities not taken.

This game was definitely a prime example of 'Victory snatched from the jaws of Defeat'

AfakasiAssasin

Academy Player

Jun 11, 2011

#15

for the LOVE of GOD can the Force not hold on to win a tight game at the death?!?!? Said it before and Ill say it again, Worst closing team in Rugby !

TNT88

First XV

Jun 11, 2011

#16

They didn't choke, we got beaten by the better team. And they were the better team because of Cooper. He is amazing to watch live.

At the end, that final pass he threw was just pin-point perfection. The Force were outnumbered, so they started infield and were going to drift outwards with the ball. (Because if they spread out evenly Cooper would just throw a pass into the gap for the centre) Cooper noticed, and threw a very quick (perfect) pass along the line to the winger, something you just can't plan for.

If the Force play like that next year we will win a lot more games. Very impressive performance, they just need more time together.

ZeFrenchy

First XV

Jun 11, 2011

#17

LordHope said:
There seems to have been a pattern today, the dominant team(s) have been making mistakes in the second half today, and have so far ended up on the losing side...

C'mon the Force, we need you to win this one...

It's happening again in the Lions game.