Super Rugby: Force vs. Crusaders in Perth (13/04/2013)

[TRF_Ezequiel]

nib Stadium, Perth

Referee: Jonathan Kaplan

Other matches this weekend:

http://www.therugbyforum.com/forum/...ghlanders-vs-Brumbies-in-Dunedin-(12-04-2013)

http://www.therugbyforum.com/forum/...Rugby-Chiefs-vs-Reds-in-Hamilton-(13-04-2013)

http://www.therugbyforum.com/forum/...-Blues-vs-Hurricanes-in-Auckland-(13-04-2013)

http://www.therugbyforum.com/forum/...gby-Rebels-vs-Kings-in-Melbourne-(13-04-2013)

http://www.therugbyforum.com/forum/...-Stormers-vs-Sharks-in-Cape-Town-(13-04-2013)

http://www.therugbyforum.com/forum/...by-Bulls-vs-Cheetahs-in-Pretoria-(13-04-2013)

BYE

 

[Darwin]

Crusaders: 15-Israel Dagg, 14-Adam Whitelock, 13-Robbie Fruean, 12-Ryan Crotty, 11-Tom Marshall, 10-Tyler Bleyendaal, 9-Andy Ellis, 8-Luke Whitelock, 7-Shane Christie, 6-George Whitelock (c), 5-Dominic Bird, 4-Luke Romano, 3-Owen Franks, 2-Corey Flynn, 1-Wyatt Crockett.

Reserves: Ben Funnell, Joe Moody, Tom Donnelly, Jordan Tuafua, Willi Heinz, Telusu Veainu, Zac Guildford.

Crusaders resting a few players. I hope this doesn't cost them, as they have had trouble with the Force in the past. Flynn is back in the front row, but Sam Whitelock has been rested, with Bird getting another start. Todd gets a rest after a few big weeks, with Christie starting at 7. It will be interesting to see how Christie goes - he is a big physical player, who will certainly help the Crusaders get go-forward ball.

There is again no cover for Bleyendaal with Carter out injured (and Taylor not yet recovered). Good to see Dagg back, and it is interesting to see Guildford dropped to the bench (though he certainly doesn't deserve to be starting in his current form).

 

[Larksea]

I think that's the crusaders best back three. I'm gonna say it again, Adam whitelock is playing well and earning his starts. Marshall has been really impressive this season.

 

[donmcdazzle]

I think that's the crusaders best back three. I'm gonna say it again, Adam whitelock is playing well and earning his starts. Marshall has been really impressive this season.

You're having a laugh, he is only starting due to injuries.

 

[Tekadus7]

You're having a laugh, he is only starting due to injuries.

He must be...

 

[Darwin]

Force playing well, leading 16-8 just before half-time.

In other news, the new TMO powers are still ridiculous.

EDIT: Crusaders not playing well. The are playing very deep in attack, and are very lateral. Dagg had a couple of good runs early, but the best of the backs has been Ryan Crotty, who looks quite dangerous. Tom Marshall is looking pretty good too. The forwards have been disappointing, with Flynn and Luke Whitelock probably the pick of them. I think they are really missing Matt Todd (especially with Christie now off injured), though I am enjoying watching Jordan Taufua...

EDIT 2: Crusaders lose. Poor effort by them - they had plenty of chances but weren't able to take them. Congrats to the Force though - they were incredibly courageous on defense. A couple of great hits by Ed Stubbs prevented certain tries.

 

[Ruckyou]

what an upset. crusaders had no answer for the force defence. crusaders tactics of spread to one wing , crash middle then spread to the other wing was easy to read. would have liked to see Blyndale take it to the line. Fruean needed to run some better lines and those Whitelocks are average IMO. Luke Romano was robbed of at least one of the two tries disallowed, but Force deserved that win with less possesion throughout the second half.

 

[The big Kangaroo]

wow how often do Aussie sides go 3 from 3 against kiwi sides.

 

[dasNdanger]

I was watching the game this morning, but too busy to post. Amazing defense, Force! Though I am a Crusaders fan, this game actually pleased me. Love upsets, and especially love them when the winner truly deserved the win!

However, watching the match I did feel like I was living in Bizarro World, or something.


das

 

[Ruckyou]

wow how often do Aussie sides go 3 from 3 against kiwi sides.

must be a blue moon

 

[SelimNiai]

The reaction on the Force players and fans at the end was great, acted like theyd won the Super 15. Deserve it, they played a damn fine game.

 

[TNT88]

This meant a lot to the fans, everyone stayed behind after the game. Was a good night of rugby.

The article sums it up nicely:

http://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/s...rth/story-e6frf4qu-1226619951010#.UWmIMbVgeSo

Side to side the Crusaders went, but each time they thought they had breached the Force defence, a desperate tackle would halt their bid for the line.

and

The only gap being exposed was the lack security at nib Stadium, with five invaders all up making their way onto the pitch.

 

[easy2288]

Force played exceptionally well. Expected this to come too, as Todd rested 2 keys players (Sam Whitelock, Matt Todd). Basically he was over confident. The team has not been winning for many years basically the coaching team has been over confident. Really frustrating!!!

SACK TODD

 

[easy2288]

Read there was several pitch invasions during the last minutes of the game. sanzar must act and may be FORCE should be penalized or fine for the loose security.

 

[easy2288]

Just too add more on Crusaders. Why all the Whitelock is in Crusaders. Any seniors members can comment please

 

[dasNdanger]

Force played exceptionally well. Expected this to come too, as Todd rested 2 keys players (Sam Whitelock, Matt Todd). Basically he was over confident. The team has not been winning for many years basically the coaching team has been over confident. Really frustrating!!!

SACK TODD

Though no one wants to lose a game, I'm guessing it's better to rest players and risk losing to a team at the bottom than to a team that you're playing leapfrog with in the stats.

Also, I really need to find this game on the net - our local boys http://www.jerseyshorerugby.com/ need a little confidence boost, and I'm thinking watching a match like this just might do the trick.


das

 

[TNT88]

Also, I really need to find this game on the net - our local boys http://www.jerseyshorerugby.com/ need a little confidence boost, and I'm thinking watching a match like this just might do the trick.

 

[Gena_ZA]

Not taking anything away from the Australian opposition but the Crusaders seem to drop a game a season completely against the odds
Last year against the Rebels if not mistaken
Not long before some dick will demand an investigation into match fixing

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

Not taking anything away from the Australian opposition but the Crusaders seem to drop a game a season completely against the odds
Last year against the Rebels if not mistaken
Not long before some dick will demand an investigation into match fixing

I think the Western Force might have one of the highest win rates against the Crusaders amongst all the teams in the competition!

 

[asmiller]

Read there was several pitch invasions during the last minutes of the game. sanzar must act and may be FORCE should be penalized or fine for the loose security.

Considering the pitch invaders were coming from an area of the ground that was almost exclusively filled with Crusader supporters that's a bit harsh! Agree that 1 was acceptable, but 4 or 5 was ridiculous. there was only 1 scrawny security guy near me and I don't think he would have stopped anyone. I can think of only 1 other pitch invasion at a Force home game, and that was like 5 years ago!

From where I was sitting right on the front row near the 22 I could almost touch the players (NIB is now great!). Whenever the Crusaders got the ball their attack was ominous. It had purpose and focus. Yes they moved it from side to side not apparently going anywhere but all those hits were taking a toll on the Force. The defence was magnificent but had the game gone on for another 5 minutes I think the Crusaders would have found a way though. It was just a question of time and on this occassion time was on the Force's side.