Force Go Down to Waratahs 20 - 15 in NSW

[Batto]

Fucken Ripia kept cutting him out. Again.

You could see it in his face at the end of the game. My bet he is going to the Reds.

You never know, he might takeover at 10 there eventually (and for the Wobs) if QC fucks off to mungoball.

Sheehan said he was alot happier with Ripia at No10,WTF! probably better Rabbit is at 13 then they would miss out Inman all the time, Ripia's kicking is bad to say the least !

[Stone Cold]

Rubbish game...we stooped to the tah's level and got found out. Kicking for territory is ok sometimes but any chance the backs can get a go?

[robyn <3]

I want a refund for 80 minutes of a Saturday night please. What a load.

But seriously, did we hire an attack coach this year or did we just wing it? There is so much potential for attack in that back line and the only times we get even a millimetre close to scoring a freaking try its from some freak mistake that happened a mile away and someone chased and I'm bloody sick of it. They need to spend the ENTIRE bye weekend learning how to score a set piece try if we don't want to be the laughing stock of the Super 14.

Cummins is pushing hard for that Wallaby spot, on a positive note.

Not exactly the flavour you want to leave James with while he 'decides on his future over the bye weekend'.

[BeeJay]

To win ugly is one thing, to lose ugly another. Noone can take responsibility for the tactics tonight other than the coaching staff.

[jombi]

Yeah I don't think it's fair to say Ripia was cutting out O'Connor because he's just an idiot - the offensive line is still too flat and O'Connor would receive a hospital pass.

The defense has gotten a lot better, and they aren't just standing there like League players do, but on attack they seem to think it is League and they have a 10 metre buffer to play with.

[todd4]

Agree with all thats been said.

The forwards turned up but our backline is a dud.
We have some good individual backs but do not seem to gel as a unit. When you look at backlines like the Blues, Crusaders, Reds etc their backs all play as a team. Just the basics like draw and pass, being able to catch the ball at speed etc.
I wonder what they do at training? At this level dont they practice attacking plays? the moves dont have to be fancy but just something with a bit of variation so we are not totally predictable. We never seemed to be on the front foot with any backline attacking move and the only time things looked promising was by individuals in broken play.
Mr Ripia may be more hype than substance, does not seem to have much of a combination with JOC. With James weighing up where to play next year he may not be relishing the idea of playing outside Ripia. The chance to play outside Cooper would probably be a lot more appealing. Lets hope that doesn't happen.

Richard Graham was the Wallabies backline skills coach.... sorry, but I don't have a punch line for that!

Backline skills and cohesion is whats needed plus a bit of imagination in attack.... but where are we going to find it? the current coaching staff? they have had half a season so far and the backs looked like they were introduced to each other 5 mins before the game.

The tahs were only average tonight and the game was there for the taking, apart from penalty kicks we never looked like we were going to own that game......

[jombi]

I don't think it's fair to put any large chunk of blame onto Ripia.

If you look at the best games he's had (for Taranaki & NZ Maori) it's been off quick ball when he does run it more, but with the force you don't see it happening that much. It's always someone from the tight five standing a metre from the ruck waiting an hour to get the ball while the defensive line has ample time to settle themselves.

The flat backline only works with quick ball, and that's something we don't get. Graham needs to start planning for what the force can do now not what he hopes they can do in a year like Mitchell tried.

[qld supporter]

This side is so worried about making a mistake they just wont chance their arm in attack. No confidence no initiative allowed not enjoying playing it seems. There wont be a 4 try bonus this year without a radical change in the now predictable game plan. Dont blame the players theyre just following instructions or else.
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[GIGS20]

I don't think it's fair to put any large chunk of blame onto Ripia.

If you look at the best games he's had (for Taranaki & NZ Maori) it's been off quick ball when he does run it more, but with the force you don't see it happening that much. It's always someone from the tight five standing a metre from the ruck waiting an hour to get the ball while the defensive line has ample time to settle themselves.

The flat backline only works with quick ball, and that's something we don't get. Graham needs to start planning for what the force can do now not what he hopes they can do in a year like Mitchell tried.

I remember thinking in the first five minutes that the breakdown was looking good. There was plenty of quick, secure ball and a couple of near pilfers........didn't see any attacking plays though!

[Burgs]

Such a stark contrast to a- the previous match (ie another derby) and b- the quote in the signature.

Looking square at the tacticians on this one.

[Rex Messup]

useless kick-a-thon boring as bat shit Tahs played their game and brought us down to their level to win fcking annoyed.. going to go watch shrek to cheer me up

The Tahs played the only rugby seen in the match. It was the Force tactics which ruined the game.
It was pretty hard to watch
I think Ripia is rubbish. JOC should play 10.
The seasons brightest story is Patty Delit. He has been awesome. His defence is very aggressive and very reliable. We haven't really seen his attacking skills thanks to our 10 man rugby game plans.

Bring back Mitch

[shasta]

Looking square at the tacticians on this one.

Maybe so. If the game plan was to try to beat them at their own game without a pland B. But it's hard to imagine the coaches instructing them to make those ridiculous, aimless mid field bombs or attempted chip and chases. No way is that playing for territory. JOC was guilty of a few of them too. David Smith should be instructed to never kick again unless he's absolutely isolated. This type of game plan can work if you can execute it properly. Clearly the Force can't.

Even then it took a piece of freakish bad luck to nail the lid. It was no tactical triumph. Hickey was still dribbling on about winning the territorial "contest" after half time. FFS.

Once again the seasons shot so FFS play some Rugby!

[Rex Messup]

Once again the seasons shot so FFS play some Rugby!

amen and hail mary mother of Jesus

[brokendown gunfighter]

amen and hail mary mother of Jesus

praise the Lord & pass the ammunition!

[Rex Messup]

praise the Lord & pass the ammunition!

who you gunna kill big John?