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FOR some time now, the Western Force have been going on about how everyone in Australian rugby either neglects them or is suspicious about what they're up to.
From the west come regular cries that the ARU and the other three provinces are out to get them, and that they are victims of an elaborate conspiracy involving sections of the "eastern media".
Their complaints bear little relation to reality and are pushed along by several Force officials intoxicated by their status as big fish in a very small local pond.
The arrogance displayed by the Force in their initial pursuit of players has not been forgotten by the Waratahs, Brumbies and Reds, and the scars remain.
But their sense of paranoia has worked in banding together an isolated team - to the extent that this season, the rest have had to take serious notice of what is going on in Perth and even study them for hints so that they don't fall far behind them.
The Force's off-field behaviour has been open to question, with the quokka shocker and events leading up to Matt Henjak's sacking dragging the club's name through the mud, as have certain third-party player deals.
Not so on the field, where their performances have been exemplary to the extent that they are easily Australia's best chance - and maybe only one - of making the Super 14 finals.
That they are in such a position just two seasons after finishing last in the tournament is a tribute to their coach, John Mitchell, and a credit to his players.
This season, they have been by far Australia's most entertaining province, quickly grasping the virtues of the experimental law variations and attempting to get into the faces of their opponents.
While the Waratahs seem to have forgotten they have a back line, the Brumbies have been hamstrung by a horrendous injury list which has turned their line-up into a glorified creche and the Reds still don't have a clue, the Force have worked out they are most dangerous when keeping the ball in hand and, in the finest Australian tradition, decide to have a go.
They tried to out-Crusader the Crusaders a few weeks ago by launching repeated counterattacks from midfield, and it almost worked. Elsewhere, it has. Taking any opportunity which has come their way has helped them beat four teams on the road - the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein, the Lions in Johannesburg, the Blues in Auckland and, on Saturday, the Highlanders in Queenstown.
Five of their last seven games are at home, and a finals spot is a distinct possibility.
Admittedly, much hinges on their playmaker, Matt Giteau, remaining injury-free. If Giteau is sidelined, the Force are history. Similarly, if Ryan Cross, Drew Mitchell, Scott Staniforth or Cameron Shepherd drop out out of the side, the Force will struggle, because the back-up is not first-rate.
We must hope that the Force medical team is not called upon too much, because these fine attacking players, if they remain on the field, will continue to provide the impetus to stay in touch with the Super 14 leaders.
Being on Force watch is also much more rousing than following the Waratahs, who, against the Crusaders, did their usual trick of forgetting they had an attack, played one out, and kicked, kicked, kicked as if they were wearing flip-flops.
Was there actually one NSW attacking movement in Christchurch? Is this a team, or a bunch of individuals? Who actually are the NSW centres?
What is most exasperating is that those in the west, who love to highlight every frailty on offer elsewhere in Australian rugby, are enjoying all this and preparing to join together in one big chorus line to scream: "Stick that up ya."
Siege mentality serving Force well - rugbyheaven.com.au
They just can't bring themselves to say the Force is Australia's best team so far this year.
It's not exasperating, it's FARKIN GREAT and we'll scream it LOUD and LONGWhat is most exasperating is that those in the west, who love to highlight every frailty on offer elsewhere in Australian rugby, are enjoying all this and preparing to join together in one big chorus line to scream: "Stick that up ya."
We aren't preparing to join together we're already doing it.
Posted via space
Political correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end.
Truly enlightened Journalism this, an example in how to prove a point whilst denying it.......sheer poetry!
BTW in the words of somebody famous and immortal....Stick that up ya!
C'mon the![]()
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Thelook to be one of the only WA teams likely to make the finals of any code, AFL, Cricket, League, Netball, Soccer, Basketball, Hockey and just about any other team sport, making them the most successful sporting 'franchise' in this state.
It's about time the media caught up and recognised that it is a big thing for this state and we have a right to be justifiabley proud.
ps piecart nice way to stick the boot in to your 'own' boys while they're down.
Says it all really.. Mum handed me the paper this morning- "think you'll like the Monday Maul today- says good things about the"
She apparently didn't notice that it was all said through gritted teeth (since we're the top ranked Australian team)- and of course, couldn't write a whole article about the Force without dropping that nugget of journalisitic gold- the quokka shocker
On another note, the boys did get a decent show in the Australian team of the week for once.
It's a funny article - When you read stuff like it you can see why there is a bit of a seige mentality over here - the wild wild west - where people go to matches - we don't get handouts - players want to come over here - Naughty Players get fair hearings (not automatically sacked etc..)
Rumours abound of a passionate coach using Coice words off camera - Players spotted surfing and having a laugh oh and we are winning matches - Gee whizz when the rest of the country is so anti us - why would we bother much with them
Bring on round 9 - by then their worst fears will be realised as we will be the only OZ team in contention will be interesting to hear what they have to say then.
61 years between Grand SlamsWas the wait worth it - Ya betta baby
who is this writer?? He has proved this point "they are victims of an elaborate conspiracy involving sections of the "eastern media" by what he's written himself in this article. We should be quite happy about it really, if the boys were ever short of motivation then just stick this on the wall. Here's hoping we can get a really good performance and result against the waratahs , and sit back and listen to their whining!
The "writer" has certainly proved his own point, pom_force, but I think such subtleties might be a bit beyond him.
Anyway, I'm happy to bite:
Undefeated in NZ, great players re-signing, fourth on the ladder : STICK THAT UP YA!!!![]()
Success is not final, failure is not fatal:
it is the courage to continue that counts.
- Winston Churchill
Have the Force themselves been going on about the harshness of the media? I personally think that perhaps Grumbles has been reading our forums !!!!!
Siege mentality serving Force well
Greg Growden | March 24, 2008
Posted via space
Political correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end.
Quote Ex-Chief Rugby Hack at SMH :
"Similarly, if Ryan Cross, Drew Mitchell, Scott Staniforth or Cameron Shepherd drop out out of the side, the Force will struggle, because the back-up is not first-rate."
Classic. This wanker really does not know his arse from his elbow. And of course the Tahs are just drowning in backline talent, eh Greg? One longtime crock drops out and they have to put Lote in the centres,![]()
No mention of Gits being unreplaceable.
Let's face it, any of the back three players mentioned could be covered by Nicky Cummins who has started S14 games in his own right this season, definately a second option yes, but no mug for sure. Spanner could cover Ryan, that's before we even consider the younger guys in the squad who don't have multiple S14 games under their belts. a Single injury amongst these names would be covered as a matter of course.......If all four of them were to be knocked out, sure we'd have problems, I defy any S14 team to lose 4 starting backs and not struggle............ Cru-bloody-saders excepted of course!
If you're going to bag them Grumbles, at least do some research!
C'mon the![]()
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I thought the Wildcats made the finals (but not the GRAND final) this year.
CHEERLEADERS ROCK!!!