There was much to like about the Western Force's eight-try 46-0 demolition of a Tongan Select XV at Meadow Springs last night.
http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/spo...ainst-tongans/
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There was much to like about the Western Force's eight-try 46-0 demolition of a Tongan Select XV at Meadow Springs last night.
http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/spo...ainst-tongans/
I'm not sure what sort of preparation this sort of a match would give our boys when they run out in a weeks time to play the rabble.
I know it would be difficult to get a game against a Super 15 team but surely to goodness we could have got lads who could have provided more of a challenge
the Tongan team were no mugs-they gave the Force a good workout(except in the scrums)A few high shots excepted,the tongans played some positive rugby
You said it all Gunny, the Tongans were very competitive and they gave the Force boys a really good work out. Very positive signs for teh Force if they can carry all of the rejuvination into next week and beyond.
Here's some pics from last nights game courtesy of the mighty Mandurah Mail ;)
Great photos :-)Quote:
Originally Posted by SinBin
What's happening in pic no 10?Quote:
Originally Posted by SinBin
Good stuff Sin Bin thanks for posting that.
cheers for posting that
WESTERN Force coach Michael Foley pointed more to the zero on the scoreboard next to the Tongan Select XV than the 46 points tallied by the Force in Mandurah on Friday night as a reflection of his side's combat readiness for their opening Super Rugby clash with the Rebels this week.
The Force ran in eight tries in its final dress rehearsal resulting from good interplay between backs and forwards.
It would have been tempting to wax lyrical over Alfi Mafi's running on the wing, the flowing cohesion of the inside backs and the solid performance of the pack.
Nevertheless, it was the Perth club's determination to keep its opponents try-less that struck a chord with the coach.
"In the last 20 minutes we made a lot of changes and they kept going," Foley said. "Credit to them, we could have let in a soft one having got the result and played the majority of the game well.
"It was an important statement for us as a squad and with the Academy guys training with us. We talk about earning one another's respect and there was a fair bit of that tonight."
The Force faces a tough early start to this year's campaign, hopping straight on to a plane next Saturday for the long flight to South Africa for a two-game tour against the Kings in Port Elizabeth and the Bulls in Pretoria.
Attitude will go some distance to defining the team's success and building confidence.
Foley said he was not questioning his players' commitment to the tough task ahead.
"I think our attitude is spot-on at the moment, and that's something we need to maintain throughout, which is always the biggest task with a big group of people," he said.
"The challenge will come in different forms and if we can maintain the attitude we have now we'll keep going forward.''
Foley cautioned that while there was still plenty to do, his overall verdict was an extremely pleasing endorsement of what the players had achieved throughout the pre-season.
"We've put down some significant foundations and the substance of that is largely the players hard work and high standards they set themselves," he said.
"We're really looking forward to ripping into the season. We can't wait to start next week and appreciate how much of a challenge it's going to be."
The Force will start in Melbourne on Friday without inspirational captain elect Matt Hodgson, who is out with a hamstring strain.
However, Foley passed the rest of his squad fit for battle, saying young inside-centre Kyle Godwin was substituted as a cautionary measure. Similarly, lock Hugh McMeniman was rested for a strained bicep.