Force v Waratahs, round 13, Saturday 9 May

[cyclopath]

What's disappointing for the Brumbies is that they've had the opportunity to secure their spot in the finals and have now blown 3 close games....

Point missed. The Tahs have blown games, but no Aussie teams really look to have the solid game to really threaten this comp at the moment, sadly. I hope it changes in the next few weeks.

 

[barbarian]

I've gotta say, if you were picking the Wallabies on form......

Wycliff Palu wouldn't be there..... and McCalman would be starting 8.

That was my takeaway from the game. Big changing of the guard moment between Palu and McCalman. Benny Mac franked the form he'd been showing all season. Surely he starts at 8 in the first Test.
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[Moono75]

How do you spell Bunnies!

 

[barbarian]

Matt Hodgson makes such a big difference for the Force. Makes me wonder what the season would have looked like if he hadn't done that hamstring.

Really? Last two games were drubbings, he hasn't had that large an effect.
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[ChargerWA]

Winners

 

[Slim 293]

Point missed. The Tahs have blown games, but no Aussie teams really look to have the solid game to really threaten this comp at the moment, sadly. I hope it changes in the next few weeks.

There wasn't any point missed......... it was a commentary on the Brumbies situation.

 

[Slim 293]

That was my takeaway from the game. Big changing of the guard moment between Palu and McCalman. Benny Mac franked the form he'd been showing all season. Surely he starts at 8 in the first Test.
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And Palu, when fit, has been a very dominant player for the Tahs in Super Rugby too so it's not a good sign.............

At the start of the season I wouldn't have considered starting with anyone else but McCalman would have to be a very serious contender.

 

[Ash]

It's a bit hard when the top 3 are all in the same conference.

3 of the top 4 technically, pretty sure Bulls are 3rd on 34, Clan 4th on 33.


There's still a slim chance of there being 4 NZ teams in the final, but I suspect that if I look at the run home that there's too many NZ conference games, and some teams (like that Tahs) theoretically have "easy" runs in.

 

[Quick Hands]

Michael Foley wasn't the problem, the Tahs were the problem. If they don't like the conservative Force plan, play above it, if you can. They couldn't. End of.

This is the nub of it. Surely the Waratahs would have expected the Force to play exactly how they played? How is it possible that there seems to have been no adjustment in tactics on behalf of the Waratahs? The way to beat the Force is to get down in the trenches with them, beat them physically and then go wide.

 

[mst]

Hooper? Cool?

Looked like compliments of a stray boot for Beale!

 

[Dismal Pillock]

Incredibly charitable of Force to turn down final shot at goal, that goes over, no bonus pt and NSW slump from 3rd to to 31 pts, below the Crusadists on pt diff in 7th place.

No risk of NSW running a short kick back 100 metres for the winning score, Beale and Folau had spent the previous 80 minutes running like they were half-drunk!

 

[Forcefield]

How do you spell Bunnies!

Be gracious in victory.

Really? Last two games were drubbings, he hasn't had that large an effect.
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I think so. Those two weren't great games, but they were away games against one of the top teams in the comp and a team chock full of All Blacks. But he is just one man and I am not just talking about the scoreline. There is a bit of a different feel to things and I definitely think we are more of a threat at the breakdown.

I guess we will have it answered in the games after our bye. If we won 3 from 4 of our last games, would you concede the point?

 

[cyclopath]

There wasn't any point missed... it was a commentary on the Brumbies situation.

Which is different to the Waratahs how...................................................?

 

[RedsHappy]

Force 3/9, Waratahs 2/5. Kicking at goal not a high point from this game.

Aus poor kicking this year - by and large - may come to haunt us at RWC time when excellence in gaining 3-pointers, place and drop, can be the make or break.

We tend to think kicking is a ''nice to have" not a complete, absolute essential in the rugby skill kit.

Even though under our noses are some of the best kicking coaches in the world - just over as they are in AFL, where the modern ABs got their most revered kicking and catching coach.

 

[mst]

This is the nub of it. Surely the Waratahs would have expected the Force to play exactly how they played? How is it possible that there seems to have been no adjustment in tactics on behalf of the Waratahs? The way to beat the Force is to get down in the trenches with them, beat them physically and then go wide.

So putting it simply the Tah's couldn't navigate around wheelchair and crutches that was thrown at them by the Force.

 

[daz]

In all fairness, I have to say that Foley seemed to have a gameplan to beat the Tahs, and his players executed it perfectly.

Fair play to them. We are quick to spank coaches, and often rightly so, but we should also be quick to acknowledge when they clearly get it right.

I still maintain Foley needs to go, mind you, but I'll give him his due tonight.

 

[cyclopath]

Aus poor kicking this year - by and large - may come to haunt us at RWC time when excellence in gaining 3-pointers, place and drop, can be the make or break.

We tend to think kicking is a ''nice to have" not a complete, absolute essential in the rugby skill kit.

Even though under our noses are some of the best kicking coaches in the world - just over as they are in AFL, where the modern ABs got their most revered kicking and catching coach.

I'm somewhat amazed too that some of the individuals do not spend enough time apparently practicing it. I mean, Wilkinson is one extreme, but it shows what can be done with dogged determination and dedication.
It's a systemic failing at all levels in Oz rugby. Baffling.

 

[Quick Hands]

So putting it simply the Tah's couldn't navigate around wheelchair and crutches that was thrown at them by the Force.

I'm not sure if that's putting it simply though.

The simple fact is that the Force won, and as I look back on the game at no point did the Waratahs look like we were going to win.

Credit does go to the Force (including Foley) for coming to the game with winning tactics and executing them.

 

[Slim 293]

Which is different to the Waratahs how.................?

Well, for a start they're different teams..........

 

[Tordah]

Aus poor kicking this year - by and large - may come to haunt us at RWC time when excellence in gaining 3-pointers, place and drop, can be the make or break.

not too different for the NZ teams and the thought of players like Halfpenny nailing nearly everything for their countries, many of which playing rather dire - as in not as easy on the eye - rugby in contrast to SH teams, pisses me off a bit.