Lets Blame the Force Again

I really do feel sorry for Mona Pacifica, they really have had the rough end of the stick with Covid, but why do we have to forfeit when the NZ teams did not. As Tony Lewis and Tim Sampson said, we really tried to put a team out but you cant play with only one super rugby front rower, that is dangerous. Again, I know this is not ideal for Mona but why do we have to get blamed and treated differently when we followed protocol and just did what other super teams did. Do MP remember that they also postponed one of their games.

Exhausted Moana Pasifika fed up, may request forfeit from Force

Embattled Super Rugby debutants Moana Pasifika are refusing to reschedule their cancelled game against the Force, saying enough is enough after playing six games in three weeks this season.

In a move that could have major ramifications for the make-up of the top eight, Moana chief executive Pelenato Sakalia told the Herald he was in no rush to lock in a new date for the round 10 clash and pleaded for some clear air for his team.

https://www.smh.com.au/sport/rugby-u...27-p5agj5.html

Western Force coach Tim Sampson insists there was simply no way he could have fielded a team last week after Covid-19 ripped through the player squad.

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The Force successfully petitioned SANZAAR for last week’s game against Moana Pasifika in Melbourne to be postponed.

Clubs who are hit by a Covid-19 outbreak have access to a pool of shared players, but even that wouldn’t have been enough to fill the many holes left by the virus at the Force.

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Looking back at Super Rugby’s inaugural Super Round.
Sampson felt any criticism of the decision to call off the game was unfair.

“We tried everything to get that game to go ahead,” Sampson said.

“Even within two hours of jumping on the bus to leave to the airport we were still going.

“But we had a couple of late scratchings, which was unfortunate. It was up front in key positions.


“In the end, we had one contracted front rower available to us out of the 10.

“Like with COVID, first and foremost we were concerned about the players’ health.

“We weren’t prepared to throw guys on the field who weren’t health-wise up to it.

“It got to a point where we could not field a 23.”


The Force are now clear of COVID-19, with all but one player out of quarantine.

That final player is set to be released on Thursday.
https://www.rugbypass.com/news/weste...y-afflictions/

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Originally Posted by volvo

I really do feel sorry for Mona Pacifica, they really have had the rough end of the stick with Covid, but why do we have to forfeit when the NZ teams did not. As Tony Lewis and Tim Sampson said, we really tried to put a team out but you cant play with only one super rugby front rower, that is dangerous. Again, I know this is not ideal for Mona but why do we have to get blamed and treated differently when we followed protocol and just did what other super teams did. Do MP remember that they also postponed one of their games.

Exhausted Moana Pasifika fed up, may request forfeit from Force

Embattled Super Rugby debutants Moana Pasifika are refusing to reschedule their cancelled game against the Force, saying enough is enough after playing six games in three weeks this season.

In a move that could have major ramifications for the make-up of the top eight, Moana chief executive Pelenato Sakalia told the Herald he was in no rush to lock in a new date for the round 10 clash and pleaded for some clear air for his team.

https://www.smh.com.au/sport/rugby-u...27-p5agj5.html

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Moaning Pasifika, or moaner pacifier?

I get that they don't want to play another mid week game and I feel for them in this case, but if they don't want to play the game and the Force do, logic dictates who should be taking the forfeit.

Tony Lewis should be all over that aspect though

Much a-do about nothing isn't it?

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In a move that could have major ramifications for the make-up of the top eight, Moana chief executive Pelenato Sakalia told the Herald

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That's about as likely as an alien spacecraft landing on HBF park at half time tomorrow.

Attachment 5866

The Force followed the competition protocols that are in place and unfortunately we're unable to field a side. Yeah it probably sucks with the timing of the announcement but that's life Pelenato.

Given the way the draw is now you'll probably get the soft side of the rescheduling anyway.

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Originally Posted by shasta

Much a-do about nothing isn't it?



That's about as likely as an alien spacecraft landing on HBF park at half time tomorrow.

Attachment 5866

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We can't afford a forfeit if we want to hold on to 8th spot ahead of the Rebels and Highlanders. Not sure finishing 8th out of 12 teams to make finals is much to be proud of but would rather be in it than not