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Any one heard of the team for tomorrow nights game yet
one change,Alby starting,Sheeno to the bench
Force brace for hungry Sharks in rugby
Justin Chadwick
AAP
Western Force coach Michael Foley believes rumours of in-fighting at the Sharks will galvanise the Durban-based Super Rugby franchise ahead of Friday night's clash at nib Stadium.
The Sharks were forced to go into damage control this week after a South African newspaper published an article claiming captain Keegan Daniel was unhappy with the number of Afrikaners in the squad.
Daniel strongly denies the claim, saying: "I was shocked to hear about these allegations.
"It is an attack on my integrity, which is very disappointing, and it is most untrue.
"This is a lesson that younger players in our squad can learn - when a team is struggling with form then you become an easy target."
The Sharks' finals hopes are in tatters after losing their past five matches.
But Foley believes the off-field drama will probably bring Sharks players closer together.
"The Sharks are very, very hungry," Foley said on Thursday.
"They're going to be particularly passionate on the back of being accused of there being a divide.
"That always galvanises a team.
"I think they'd only fracture as a team if that was the case (of there being in-fighting), and I don't believe that is the case."
The Force have lost their past five matches against the Sharks, including a 53-11 thumping in Durban last year.
But the Perth-based franchise have displayed greater resolve under new coach Foley this season, and are backing themselves to break the Sharks hoodoo.
"I didn't even know that," Foley said of the Force's recent record against the Sharks.
"Those things don't matter. People told me that we'd never beaten the Reds in Queensland. They told me that the day of the game (before we beat them). It was nice we were able to do that."
The Sharks have been bolstered by the return of Springboks duo Jannie du Plessis and Willem Alberts into the starting line-up.
Foley said the Sharks were a dangerous side with multiple strengths.
"They play like a lot of other South African sides around the set piece, but more like a NZ side in open play," Foley said.
The Force made just one change to their starting line-up, recalling scrumhalf Alby Mathewson in place of Brett Sheehan.
Force: Jayden Hayward, Patrick Dellit, Ben Jacobs, Kyle Godwin, Nick Cummins, Sias Ebersohn, Alby Mathewson, Ben McCalman, Chris Alcock, Matt Hodgson (capt), Sam Wykes, Toby Lynn, Kieran Longbottom, Heath Tessmann, Pek Cowan. Res: James Hilterbrand, Tetera Faulkner, Rory Walton, Richard Brown, Brett Sheehan, Junior Rasolea, Sam Norton-Knight.
Sharks: Riaan Viljoen, Odwa Ndungane, JP Pietersen, Meyer Bosman, Lwazi Mvovo, Patrick Lambie, Charl McLeod, Keegan Daniel (capt), Willem Alberts, Marcell Coetzee, Franco van der Merwe, Anton Bresler, Jannie du Plessis, Kyle Cooper, JC Janse van Rensburg. Res: Monde Hadebe, Wiehahn Herbst, Pieter-Steph du Toit. Derick Minnie/Tera Mtembu, Jean Deysel, Tian Meyer, Piet Lindeque.
I think I've seen enough of Ebersohn starting at 10, for my liking. Not a big fan of SNK either, but at least he's a threat to attack the line once in a while.
Depressing Force Stats
In several areas however, the statistics are damning.
Tries have been short for the Force - only the Kings have scored fewer than the Perth side's 19 this season.
Their line-out is the worst in the tournament with a success rate of 78.4 per cent.
The Force's tackle success rate of 84.9 per cent is the second worst in the league.
http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,2...715560,00.html
Not surprised by the line out. A bit surprised by the tackles. Both statistics IMHO would have been a lot better if we hadn't lost MMM to injury.
Great game, Fucken battled right through to the 80!
These stats don't reflect the teams progress
The defensive structures and committment in the last 2 weeks have been heroic
How many teams scored more tries than The Chiefs this year?
How many teams restricted the Chiefs to one try this year?
The Force have lost a handful of games by a penalty kick.
The attitude and commitment are light years ahead of ast year
We are again the undersogs punching above their weight. With a few classy backs, this team could become a real good one.
hail the coach. Great team structures and a cultural revival.
Controversy corner
What time is the bus to NIB? Anyone help? I have to work to 6.30pm...I may have to have a migraine that commences in earnest around 5pm.......![]()
Rexy, don't forget that we have a tackle success rate of 84.9 percent against some of the most potent attacking teams in the game (Reds, Crusaders, Chiefs, Cheetahs) and how many tackles have we made in comparison to other teams. When we rely on our defence as a big part of the game plan, and spend so much time making tackles, we will have a low stat in that area.
How are we going on the tries allowed list? that would be a better reflection of ho we're going given the game plan we are obviously playing this year.
C'mon the![]()
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Answering my own question, I found an infographic made after round 7.....interesting results!http://www.greenandgoldrugby.com/inf...ored-conceded/
C'mon the![]()
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I feel it coming on now.....Horrible things migraines....
Try not to go without me...![]()
infographics at green and gold
I wondered what GAGGA dribblers from private schools in Sydney did at their law firms all day
Controversy corner
C'mon the![]()
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They hate the Force at gagga. They had to iron out Waylon for positive Force comments
Controversy corner