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Force close to greatest Super upset
Richard Loe
23.04.06
The Force were robbed. I was at Subiaco Oval to see them draw with the Crusaders and the referee, touch judges and video official had a bit of a nightmare.
It looked as though the Force had scored with a couple of minutes to go but the 'try' by winger Haig Sare was ruled out after it went to the video ref. We were sitting quite close to the event and also watched it on the big screen at Subiaco. As near as I could see from the replay - and it was very difficult to tell - Sare did not cross the touchline.
But - and here's where the Force were robbed - the touch judge had already said the player wasn't out and the referee 'went upstairs' to check on the grounding of the ball, that's all. So if the video ref was satisfied the ball was grounded, then it must have been a try. They're not too dirty about it in Perth - but I'd certainly understand it if they were.
But how about that decision? There was a lot of fuss about Rua Tipoki last week and how he'd damaged the Force. Well, I'd say this decision damaged the Force just as much as anything Tipoki did.
Tipoki's out for 16 weeks and yet these four officials will get another job next week. Sometimes rugby just doesn't seem fair at all.
It wasn't the only beef I had with the refereeing. There were strange decisions all through that game - like in the first minutes when he penalised the Force for a tackle without arms. It was just a hard hit, that's all, where the player bounced off in the tackle. Ridiculous.
That try by Sare should have won the Force the match and it would have been deserved. It would also have been the biggest upset in the history of the competition and would have absolutely confirmed the Force's support for next year.
They are already buzzing about signing Wallaby back Matt Giteau for next year. A win would have underpinned the fantastic support they've had this year and make it even more forceful next year.
Actually, their support is good for this part of the world and will probably still grow next year anyway.
I don't think I've ever seen such a strong crowd of supporters and so many people wearing the gear of their team.
They played well, too. If they'd played like that against the Blues, they'd have beaten them. With Greg Somerville and Chris Jack missing, the Crusaders' front five lacked a bit of oomph. The scrum was much improved when Somerville came on.
There were a lot of mistakes but there was a bad shower before the game and it was very humid and slippery. However, when all is said and done, it looks like the Force will be more of a force next year.
They are recruiting aggressively - there are apparently more players than Giteau on the way - and they are organising a quadrangular tournament involving a Japanese side and South African teams to make sure they have a good bedrock of rugby below Super 14 level.
They might not have won a game yet but the Force seem here to stay.
And Richard Loe wrote that - WOW!!!!!!!
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
yeah...but he was a guest of Force for the game...probably dug into that kind heart of his to do it..
Tell you what?
Bloody right we're here to stay!!!!
Next year , big things will happen, and that's what I thought before Gits signed!!
(plus a few others..............names yet to be released)
The sea of blue was quite astounding. I've been to many Reds games and there's no sea of maroon or red - they're in the minority! That NZ commentator on Fox was quite enthusiastic and amazed at the Force crowd and prescence, and the players.
Force is only getting better with each game, and many of the close losses this year will be wins next year. Things are happening at Subi, and the Kiwis will be looking over their shoulder at that Crusader game now. H'Landers won't be resting their squad next time around against Force either!
Let's hope the Force become the Crusaders Bogey team!
Would that be nice - a guaranteed victory at Christchurch or Perth every year!! He! He! He! He!
Ironic though - we here are all hardcore Rugby supporters - the best team in Super Rugby history comes to Perth and play the crappiest they have played for 10 years.
I feel robbed that I didn't see the Crusaders at their best. Oh! well I take the draw! He! He! He! He!
Brother Gallagher I hear you