2024 Round 13 Force v Brumbies

[Garry Owen]

Are there any better options? Poolman seems to be very much in favour!

Better option would be to start Spink and put Kuenzle on the wing again. Plus O’Donnell is pretty good

[Burgs]

Leahy is playing out of position.

It seems to me, despite making a really good go of it, his three matches at #12 for 2024 U20's was out of position.
His 2023 U20's was at Wing, as were his Cheetahs matches and he is listed as a Wing.
Apart from calling him Ryan Leahy, Mitch Hardy also made this mistake as well.

[Burgs]

Are there any better options? Poolman seems to be very much in favour!

I think the error is having both of them starting together, it should be one or the other (I think Poolman has had enough rope) with Spink on the other Wing so that Kuenzle can continue to develop at #13.
It would seem the only fit Outside Back options left in the main Squad are Foliaki and O'Donnell, assuming they are fit.

[GIGS20]

I think the error is having both of them starting together, it should be one or the other (I think Poolman has had enough rope) with Spink on the other Wing so that Kuenzle can continue to develop at #13.It would seem the only fit Outside Back options left in the main Squad are Foliaki and O'Donnell, assuming they are fit.

I thought poolman was just starting to find his feet after a slow start. Leahy shows plenty of potential but is young and inexperienced, he just needs minutes so he can settle down.Isn't Foliaki a 10/12?

[The InnFORCEr]

'Like another player' - 100-gamer Stewart buoyed for must-win clash
Thu, May 30, 2024, 4:28 PM
by Ben Somerford

Western Force inside-centre Hamish Stewart spoke to reporters ahead of his 100th Super Rugby game, at home against the ACT Brumbies in Round 15.
Western Force inside-centre Hamish Stewart is optimistic the extra player support that the Sea of Blue generates can roar them towards the much-needed victory in Saturday night’s clash with the ACT Brumbies at HBF Park.

Stewart will bring up his 100th Super Rugby appearance on Saturday when the Force take on the Brumbies from 5:35pm WST, with the home side hopeful they’ll be a victory away from a finals spot by kick-off time if other results go their way.

The Force must win and hope the Fijian Drua lose to the Melbourne Rebels on Saturday. The Force must also match or better the Crusaders’ result against Moana Pasifika on Friday.

The Force have won their past four games at HBF Park and 10 of the last 14 at the venue, making it a fortress, providing hope that the WA side can get the much-needed victory.

“It’s massive. Our record speaks for itself at home,” Stewart said.

“It’s like having another player on the field. We always love playing back home at HBF. We can’t wait to get there on Saturday.”

Toowoomba-born Stewart said training during the week had been laser-focused after last weekend’s loss to his former side, the Queensland Reds.

“It’s been light but it’s been a good week,” he said. “All the detail is down pat. The boys are really putting on in the weather that’s here in Perth at the moment.

“We’re really looking forward to Saturday. We’re not looking too forward past the game. We just need to get the job done and let the result take care of itself.”

The 26-year-old said there were lessons from the last time the Force faced the Brumbies, going down 22-19 in Round 3 in Canberra.

“I think our forwards really stepped up their game and laid a platform for the backs to go down the edges,” Stewart said.

“If they match up physically against these guys, they’ll be under the pump and let our backs go to work.”

As for his own milestone, Stewart admitted he never thought he’d play one Super Rugby game, let alone 100.

“I was grateful to get one under the belt, to get 100 is a major achievement for me and my family,” he said. “I’m truly grateful for everyone who's been part of that.

“It’s been a long season but I knew this season I could achieve the 100 games. I’m just grateful and it’s an honour.

“Obviously to get 70-odd caps with the Reds and then finish it off here at the Force, it’s very honourable.”

Kick-off for Saturday’s must-win game at HBF Park is at 5:35pm WST, with tickets available via Ticketmaster.

The round is themed Community Round, with a curtain-raiser between Associates and Kalamunda in the Rendezvous Scarborough Challenge Cup final from 3pm.

The Super Rugby Pacific game will be broadcast live on 9GEM and streamed on Stan Sport, with regular updates @WesternForce on social media.

https://www.rugby.com.au/news/like-p...-clash-2024530

[Burgs]

.Isn't Foliaki a 10/12?

His career matches have been 12/13.

[WFDom]

Nothing but a win tomorrow boys!

[James]

Need a bonus point win...

[Sheikh]

Need a bonus point win...

Although, if Drua beat the Rebels in the early match, that's moot anyway. If either the Highlanders or Chiefs win, the Brumbies will be fighting for a top 2 spot.

[wjm]

Need a bonus point win...

Need more than that , need a miracle win by greater than 134 points by my calcs

[James]

Need more than that , need a miracle win by greater than 134 points by my calcs

No, number of wins tie breaks before points difference. We have more wins. Frustrating we didn't pick up a BP vs MP or the Tahs. Or a win over MP for that matter.

[shasta]

Well if (a pretty big if OK) the BoM is on the money we might get through the game and back to the car without getting completely drowned.

[James]

Well we are boned now with the Drua winning. I am glad in a way. I think we'd only have been destroyed next week. This way just beating the Brumbies would be a win, rather than needing x tries.

[blueandblack]

The other thing. Fiji replace Crusaders at 8. Crusaders not in finals.

[shasta]

I am glad in a way.

Yep. Also got me thinking whether I really want to drive 70 km down the freeway in a maelstrom. Or relax with a beer and Stan.