Rebels vs Force, RD1 SR2013

[James Buchanan]

As for wilfully blind, an interesting remark coming from someone who thought a penalty try was warranted in that situation.

You seem to misunderstand the term 'arguable'. As in, you can make an argument for it. Which you can. He deliberately infringed for the purpose of preventing a quick tap and try. At the same time, the try wasn't 'probable' so a penalty try would have been overkill.

But, that does not remove the cynical and unnecessary infringement. The Yellow Card was absolutely justified and I commend he Ref for having the balls to go there.

But leaving that aside, the absolute best thing for me out of last night was how Gaz handled matters postgame. There wasn't jubilation and "ohmygod we actually won" scenes. If anything, Gaz and KB (Kurtley Beale) were unhappy with the rest of the boys. They made it clear that they had to do better. I appreciate that. I think it will bring about a different Rebels attitude this year.

 

[Moono75]

The Rebels are very beatable.
Yet despite having 50% more ball in the first 1/2 and having a yellow card advantage.They were only 1 point ahead at half time.That is where the game was lost.
The Rebels were also more self critical than the Force in their post match assessments.
Get used to the Captain and/or coach talking up any positive after the game despite the result.
I'll be interested to hear your view again in June.

Yes they could have capitalised more on their advantage with possession but this is very much a new Force team and it will take a few games. It is far too early to make any definitive predictions for this team but they appear to be heading in a better direction, part of the long term (2 to 3 year) resurrection of the Force. Better goal kicking would have helped also but a couple of the shots were difficult.

I think from the Force perspective there has been enough negativity over the last few years and they don't need to come out in post match TV and rehash the negativity by critiquing their performance, they will be hard enough on themselves over their performance in private in the changerooms. I am happy for Foley to key in on the positives as long as there is substance to it and it is backed up by visible improvement in the style and execution of the Force's play.

After watching the Reds v Brumbies game this afternoon I'm pretty pleased with where we are at the moment. It is only round 1 but I'm happy to keep the glass half full outlook.

 

[Paradox]

Thought the Force were very hard done by with the 2 yellow cards but damn JOC (James O'Connor) looked sharp. Should be at 10 for Rebels and possibly Oz.

 

[Paradox]

As a Tah supporter I saw plenty of SKN. I was stoked to get him off the Brumbies but he turned out to be the lemon of the year. If any Force supporter thinks he is starting material then you must be very unhappy with the rest of your squad.

No more a lemon than Barnes for NSW.

 

[Scooter]

I thought Alby was unlucky to get a yellow. He did try to slow down the play twice in about thirty seconds though. He was getting in Phipps' way (nudging him with his shoulder) when he went for the quick tap about 5 metres out where Phipps lost the ball backwards. Then he grabbed Phipps by the collar in the in goal area.

When the referee called him over I expected the ref to give him a warning for two incidents in thirty seconds and to say if you do it again you will get a yellow card. Then the next minute the ref went to his pocket.

 

[The Rant]

- Beale seems to lack fitness, and ability to tackle

Holy hell. I could not agree more. Defensively I saw about 6 or more really weak defensive efforts from beale. The only way I could describe it is that he was 'soft' in the contact. No aggression or intent to commit to the tackles. Fitness was also an issue i reckon - he doesn't look like he went hungry over the xmas break. With everyone debating who should be the 10 and 15 - it's not really a discussion until KB (Kurtley Beale)'s fit enough to play fullback which I don't think is is yet.

Still an ok entertaining game. Gotta like Delve's decision making.

 

[swingpass]

so for all you rebellious ones, did we like what we saw ?
great to win and i thought the force played really well especially in the early stages. still a couple of attacking turnovers from set piece but also a couple of steals. defence really very good despite a few missed tackles. pity we cant play 4 backrowers at a time, luke jones was fantastic and to have neville on the bench, what a luxury.

clearly refs interpretation at the breakdown of who is and who isnt THE tackler is going to vary week to week, because at the geelong trial, all the infringements given against the defenders last night, went the other way for holding on. so smart move by the rebels to stop contesting and fan out. left a few gaps close to the ruck though.

the backs were generally pretty constructive with the ball they got. defensive alignment needs some work.

and richard kinghi i forgive you, forever !​

(posted this yesterday on the wrong forum)

 

[Dumbledore]

Thought the Force were very hard done by with the 2 yellow cards but damn JOC (James O'Connor) looked sharp. Should be at 10 for Rebels and possibly Oz.

Why? He was terrible there for the Rebels last year. He did his best work against the Force as a runner, not sure how pushing him into 10 helps that.

 

[James Buchanan]

Why? He was terrible there for the Rebels last year. He did his best work against the Force as a runner, not sure how pushing him into 10 helps that.

I agree with you, although feel compelled to point out he did make a good (if a little loopy) long pass for Kingi's try. That being said, that was pretty much called/set up by KB (Kurtley Beale) (and was the obvious and sensible option at the time).

The problem is that, the announcers keep blabbing on about how he should be playing 10. They're wrong if you ask me. I saw the game in person and on TV. He looked much better on TV than he did at the ground. He made some terrible tactical decision errors, especially with his kicking. Keep him at 15 or bring him to 12/13. Either is fine, but not 10.

Also, something that not many people seem to notice though is KB (Kurtley Beale) is definitely the 'boss' of the backline. He's the bloke that everyone listens to and he talks stuff up.

 

[swingpass]

i agree JOC (James O'Connor) is not a 10, great at beating defenders one on one and exploiting space but not a "creator". but it was a great pass to put kinghi in the corner.

KB (Kurtley Beale) definitely now a senior player within the group and the backline boss, witness the dressing down he gave the group at the match end.

i hope the rebels can continue to focus on the standard they have set themselves and not except mediocre performances. still to play without much ball and then turnover what precious little they had in the first half but still only trail by one at the half shows they have more resolve and a better organised defence this year.

friday will be a big test, two consecutive good performances have been rare in the past two years and i can't remember two wins on the trot

 

[Dumbledore]

I'm out of the country at the moment so missed seeing the game proper. I saw a lot of people talking about Bieber's tactical kicking, but wasn't that impressed when I saw it. Didn't get great connection on a lot of them. When Woodward comes back I'd like to see him get a run at fullback and throw JOC (James O'Connor) in at 12 with Inman. Didn't really see a whole lot from Sidey, but then I wasn't really expecting to so I'm sure that coloured my view somewhat.

Don't think Beale was quite as bad as people are saying either. Wasn't at his best, especially on defence, and he's clearly out of shape but he could have been a whole lot worse. Threw a few decent balls - that pill to Higgers that was slightly forward would have been beautiful if he got it right.

Think it's worth talking about how much the lineout has improved. Out of sight from last year. Not sure who's responsible, but they deserve some serious plaudits. Thought the scrum was fine as well. Held its own until Weeks shifted to loosehead to accomodate PAE at tighthead at which point it started falling all over the place.

Happy that no one really had a bad game either. There were a couple of quiet performances, but no one had an absolute shocker which is a big step in the right direction in and of itself.

 

[fatprop]

I really dislike yellow cards for retaliation unless they give both protagonists get a card, It otherwise just leads to professional baiting

I turned the game off after Albi got done for being a 9

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[The Red Baron]

I have to agree with the sentiment re: Beale and Beiber. Beale is head and shoulders the best 10 in the team, yet the commentators are hell bent on swapping the 2 players.

Although neither player played their best game on Friday, they are both currently playing in the right position for their skill set. Beale organises the backline, and Beiber has room to seize opportunities on the outside. You can't expect perfection in round 1.

I think Damien Hill is a bit smarter than Canno, Clarke and co. I wouldn't expect Beale and Beiber to shift positions anytime soon.

 

[swingpass]

mathewson wasn't retaliating. he was, as you say being a 9, ie an annoying niggly pric, (#2 criterion for half back, after ability to never shut up during a game ) and slowing play down.

the earlier cards. higinbotham, definitely not the instigator (being held by ?lynn, then lashing out with his held leg then pathetic punches from each) was, but he should be sent off for stupidity. senior professionals, especially those with international experience ought to know better and have enough self control. i didn't see the alcock incident live but on the tv replay also for retaliation

 

[fatprop]

mathewson wasn't retaliating. he was, as you say being a 9, ie an annoying niggly pric, (#2 criterion for half back, after ability to never shut up during a game ) and slowing play down.

the earlier cards. higinbotham, definitely not the instigator (being held by ?lynn, then lashing out with his held leg then pathetic punches from each) was, but he should be sent off for stupidity. senior professionals, especially those with international experience ought to know better and have enough self control. i didn't see the alcock incident live but on the tv replay also for retaliation

my point is higgers and lynn both should have goone for 10 and Albi should have been ignored

 

[Paradox]

Why? He was terrible there for the Rebels last year. He did his best work against the Force as a runner, not sure how pushing him into 10 helps that.

EOYT after the World cup showed he could play 10. Beale is a fullback..out of form.

 

[kronic]

EOYT after the World cup showed he could play 10.

With Barnes alongside him.

 

[kronic]

As touched on, the only moment of playmaking he did, was to set up the Kingi try.

Too often than not, he tried some individual move and got smashed by three defenders, trying to run through a non-gap. Meanwhile there was Inman and Kingi lined up, with a clear run to the line.

Our tactical kicking was shithouse, for the most part. Phipps, yes, Phipps probably did the best one of the night, with a box deep into their 22.

 

[KevinO]

Ok, My opinion on players.

Beale: a few weeks off match fitness, looked good at times and just lacking practice at others.
JOC (James O'Connor) : Looked really dangerous at 15 and really like the interchanging between Beale and JOC (James O'Connor).

Higgers: Needs time to gel
Pyle: Led the line out well, should replace Sharpe for the Wallabies. Deans was in the stands so I hope he is thinking the same thing.
Jones: Work horse all game
Weeks: Good to see him back and think he will be a standout in a couple of weeks.
Fuglistaller: Thank you NZ for not signing him and allowing us to sign a good up and coming 7
Phipps: Couple of bad balls but a pretty solid game and helped gain control when everyone was rushing everything early.

Kingi: Great game, maybe should be a specialist on the wing instead of 9
Mitchell: Solid in defense, hit the line well, one stupid offload early. But very good under a few high balls with pressure on him.
Inman: Needs a bit more ball next week
Sidey: Same as Inman
Delve: Great as usual

Overall pretty poor game in pieces, would like to see them just hold the ball early and keep the ball for a while to build confidence. Should have got the bonus point in the end though.

Anyone know who got MOTM? Mine would be Pyle.

 

[GaffaCHinO]

Just got a chance to watch the game on tv. One thing that was noticable was how bad the ref was a scrum time. We will have to rename henderson Tripod. I only counted 1 scrum were he didnt drop his bind keep himself from going down and bore in. Including the scrum which lead to kingis try. Faulkner has him on a plate yet nothing from the ref. Really disapointing.

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