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Team
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Exile
Port Macquarie
"Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows. It’s a very mean and nasty place and I don’t care how tough you are it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain’t about how hard ya hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done! Now if you know what you’re worth then go out and get what you’re worth. But ya gotta be willing to take the hits, and not pointing fingers saying you ain’t where you wanna be because of him, or her, or anybody! Cowards do that and that ain’t you! You’re better than that!" - Rocky Balboa
Not a bad looking team considering.
Great to see Gareth Simpson getting a crack. Rather interesting he's straight into the starting team over Fines-Leleiwasa, but perhaps he's increasingly being seen as more of a finisher.
Would've preferred Well was left out altogether as Pugh and Anstee have looked better than him.
I haven't been convinced by Kuenzle at 13 - it seems 12 is really his position but Hamish has been very good. So would've be good to try Manasa, Poolman or Foliaki at 13 instead.
Kalapu surely deserving of a start after his performances to date as well, but happy with our 3 locks
Agreed I would have gone Kalapu over Williams and Anstee over Wells, but it's interesting that Wells has shifted to 6, perhaps an assessment that he hasn't given enough from 8?
I also believe that Anstee needs a bit more bulk to truly own the 6 jersey.
Fines-Leleiwasa retaining the bench isn't as important as Stitch being dropped altogether. I haven't seen anything to suggest it's injury related, so will assume that he's just not showing enough. It's not a perfect assessment because both 9s have been bashed as a result of forwards not being effective at the breakdown but this has been less noticeable when Fines enters the field at about 60.
Mataele to the bench is also a big story, IMHO he hasn't been himself this year, pretty ineffective where he was a monster last year. having Kibirige and Pulu suggests we'll be looking to move the Landers around and tire them out, which I think will be a good strategy if we can keep them from scoring.
C'mon the![]()
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If you listen to the Simon Cron press conference in the other thread, he explains the changes.
Simon Cron: “People talk about winning and losing all the time and they are critical, but there’s a process to get into and it’s the ability to stay present, do your job and execute skills under pressure.”
I really like the look of Kalapu. Taking for granted the coaches know how many minutes he can get ATM. Maybe for now they see him as an impact player who makes some good line-breaks when the game is up for grabs. I really liked Rahaboni's debut. Putting in a shift like that virtually off the plane was impressive. Hope he's a keeper. Speaking of big shifts; Robertson & Medrano were huge. Hope they refreshed well & can back-up. Simpson is a mystery pick. But as has been mentioned - we don't know what we don't know. Not willing to write Keunzle off as 13 yet. He was good at 12 last year. To quote the second biggest bullshitter in the U.S., we'll see what happens.
"The main difference between playing League and Union is that now I get my hangovers on Monday instead of Sunday - Tom David
If anyone wants to have a look at Gareth Simpson there’s a bit on YouTube playing at 9 and 10 in SA .
Simon Cron: “People talk about winning and losing all the time and they are critical, but there’s a process to get into and it’s the ability to stay present, do your job and execute skills under pressure.”
Kudos to Ben Smith from The West finally we are getting coverage and it sounded like he asked a few questions at the press conference as well.
Western Force coach Simon Cron aiming for 80-minute performance ahead of away clash with Highlanders
Western Force coach Simon Cron wants an 80-minute performance as much as a win when his side kick off their three-game New Zealand trip against the Highlanders on Sunday.
After two wins from their opening three games, the Force sit sixth in the league, but Cron has been vocal about the need to improve consistency within games.
The Force may have lost five games on the trot against the Highlanders and Cron said the ladder did not tell the full story with the bottom-placed Kiwis.....
To ensure we keep getting coverage we need to visit the articles so I have only put in the intro.......
Click here for more
Simon Cron: “People talk about winning and losing all the time and they are critical, but there’s a process to get into and it’s the ability to stay present, do your job and execute skills under pressure.”
So Faainga may not pass muster. I dont see too big an issue with Horton coming in if needed.
"The main difference between playing League and Union is that now I get my hangovers on Monday instead of Sunday - Tom David
Seen a couple of stories about Gareth Simpson The West saying he is recently acquired and RA claiming he was some kind of secret signing.
Shows how much notice journos take of us. He played in the trial against Fiji.
Big secret huh
Ian Prior has the weekend off to attend his sisters wedding down south this weekend and he will rejoin the team next week, you heard it here first as always![]()
80 Minutes, 15 Positions, No Protection, Wanna Ruck?
Ruck Me, Maul Me, Make Me Scrum!
Education is Important, but Rugby is Importanter!
what's his sister doing ,getting married in the rugby season,she should know better,lol
80 Minutes, 15 Positions, No Protection, Wanna Ruck?
Ruck Me, Maul Me, Make Me Scrum!
Education is Important, but Rugby is Importanter!