1
‘They were world-class’: Two ex-Wallabies debate Western Force’s quality
Former Wallaby Justin Harrison has described the Western Force’s performance against the Brumbies in round three as “world-class” even though they fell to their third straight defeat.
ADVERTISEMENT
With new recruits Nic White and Ben Donaldson bolstering the Force’s roster, the men from out west showed signs of promise during a decent run in a pre-season win over the Reds and a nail-biting defeat to the Brumbies.
But after a 30-point defeat to the Hurricanes in the opening round, followed by a tough defeat to the Rebels in Melbourne, the Force almost defied the odds on the road in Canberra.
Pitted up against Australia’s form Super Rugby side over the last few years, playmaker Ben Donaldson led the way as the Force ran up an early lead over their favoured opponents.
But it wasn’t to be in the end as the hosts rallied to record a 22-19 win at GIO Stadium which sees Stephen Larkham’s men ranked mid-table heading into the fourth round.
“They’re coming up against Moana who, they played well against the Fijian Drua,” ex-Wallaby Justin Harrison said on Stan Sports’ The Night Before Gameday.
“But the Force… the Western Force put together a very good gameplan to take on the Brumbies and upsetting them for large parts of that match. They were world-class.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Second-half tries to Wallaby Rob Valetini and replacement Billy Pollard saw the Brumbies take a hard-fought lead, although the Force made things interesting late with a score in the 74th minute.
But when the full-time siren sounded, and the game was deemed over, it was the Brumbies who had escaped with a tough win – their second victory in three starts this season.
Match Summary 
1
Penalty Goals
0
3
Tries
3
2
Conversions
2
0
Drop Goals
0
100
Carries
92
4
Line Breaks
7
17
Turnovers Lost
12
3
Turnovers Won
5
Dual international Mat Rogers, who was watching on the sidelines at the Canberra venue, offered a different point of view by saying the Force were “maybe a fraction” better than what their last-place ladder suggests.
“They were good but I look back at that game and I was sitting on the sideline, they were in the hunt,” Rogers said.
ADVERTISEMENT
“I think I said to you, ‘these guys are right in this’ with 10 minutes to go.
“I looked across the field and I just didn’t see anyone really firing people up or getting the team motivated.
“Maybe a fraction, maybe a fraction,” when asked if they’re better than their last-place position suggests. “But you said it, losing is a habit.
“What I don’t want to see is a team that go, ‘Oh mate, we played well.’ Professional sport is black and white. You win or you lose.
“This game this weekend is very important for them to really go out, play well, get a good win, and take some confidence out of the last few weeks because if they don’t and they go out and lose this week, then all that three weeks of work is out the window.”
Comments on RugbyPass
“Cortez Ratima is light years ahead of anyone on current form, while TJ Perenara has also skyrocketed into contention following the unfortunate injury to the talented Cam Roigard.” At last some sanity. Hitherto so many pundits have been wittering on about Finlay Christie to the point one wondered if they were observing a FC in a parallel universe where the FC they saw wasnt just the mediocre Shayne Philpott project of Fosters hapless AB reign in the real world. Ratima, Perenara and Fakatava are the ONLY logical 9s for Razor now Roigard is crocked.
2 Go to commentsThis game was just as painful as the Hurricanes game. It was real fork-in-the-eye stuff.
2 Go to commentsNow if they could just fire the Crusaders ground PA guy who likes to play his dance music and just loves the sound of his own voice the entire game, even when play is going on. And I thought their brass band thing of a few years ago was bad.
5 Go to commentsUnfortunately when you lose by far the two form players this season in Roigard and Aumua, you're left replacing two game changing Tanks with a couple of pea-shooters. Which is also about the speed of TJs pass.
2 Go to commentsBit rich coming from the guy with zero loyalty to anyone or any team, including happily taking a players place in a league world cup squad because well, SBW wanted to play in it and thus an already named player got told he was no longer going. And airing stuff like this, which may or may not be true, doesn't exactly say you're a stand up guy either SBW. Just looking to keep his name in lights as usual.
37 Go to commentsTamati Tua. …the Taniwha NPC midfielder. Ollie Sapsford, Hawkes Bay NPC midfielder…doing well
2 Go to commentsFiji deserve to be in the rugby championship, fans love seeing the Fijian national team play, the Fijian Drua is a wonderful idea but the players can still be stolen to play for NZ and AUS…
1 Go to commentsThe first concern for this afternoon are wheather forecast…
1 Go to commentsWhy cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
5 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
33 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
5 Go to comments