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Looking forward to the Force getting to see how they fair against some kiwi opposition this week, although a little worried the Chiefs have the potential to blow us away.
Should be a cracking crowd with 75% capacity available and the classic cow bell supporters turning out in droves. Hopefully the late start doesn't put off too many.
Would be great to have Kearney, Ralston, Macdonald and Lezana back. Particularly hoping we get to see Macdonald given some game time off the bench if he is fit over the next few weeks.
I think the Chiefs may decide to keep a few players at home given they're coming off a tough Super Aotearoa grand final, the travel to and from Perth will be relatively draining and they'll probably not rate us very highly. They should be without Nanai-Seturo also, who has joined the NZ 7's team for the Olympics.
How's everyone else feeling about the Force's chances?
Will the full team arrive or will some be left at home because of this?
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/...a-final-defeat
80 Minutes, 15 Positions, No Protection, Wanna Ruck?
Ruck Me, Maul Me, Make Me Scrum!
Education is Important, but Rugby is Importanter!
Western Force refusing to back down against Kiwi opponents
Tue, 11/05/2021, 07:45 am
by Nathan Williamson
The Western Force are refusing to be intimated by their Kiwi counterparts as they prepare for Super Rugby Trans-Tasman.
Saturday's clash with the Chiefs will end their 1442-day drought without facing an international opponent in Super Rugby, defeated 34-12 by the Hurricanes in 2017 on that occasion.
After a historic season, hooker Feleti Kaitu'u is adamant that the Force will be ready for the challenge that presents itself.
“I was a part of the group that came back and reignited the Force after they are exiled from Super Rugby. I’ve never experienced Rugby against the Kiwi sides so it’ll be really exciting,” he said on Monday.
“I think we’ll be ready for the challenge…defensively, we've shown that we don’t need all our players on the field to show up for one another.”
Whilst Kaitu'u admits they need to prepare for a different style of Rugby, he was confident that they can defy expectations and challenge the Kiwi teams.
“The Kiwi teams are a different beast, they play a different brand of rugby to how we do things over here in Australia but we’ve done our analysis and we back the coaches plan," he added.
“I've had a taste of Rugby over there and they’ve got two arms and two legs like we do.
"It's not so much a matter of focusing on them but understanding that we've got the ability and talent here to face whatever they've got."
This was shared by prop Tom Robertson, who suggested that the Chiefs' tough loss last week provides them with an edge in front of an expected big crowd a HBF Park.
“You always want to challenge yourself against the best and the Crusaders and Chiefs were the two best teams in the competition...The Chiefs are playing some great footy but we’ve had a good preparation," Robertson believes.
“Having a week off gives us an edge against a team that slogged it out against the Crusaders in a pretty hard match. We’re looking forward to it and we're ready.
“The times that I've won against the Chiefs, we've always been very physical and they're a big, physical team so we need to match them upfront. In terms of physicality, it's definitely a step up when you play the Chiefs, they've got some pretty big boys."
https://www.rugby.com.au/news/super-...onents-2021510
80 Minutes, 15 Positions, No Protection, Wanna Ruck?
Ruck Me, Maul Me, Make Me Scrum!
Education is Important, but Rugby is Importanter!
There will be a Q&A by Tony Lewis in the members bar before the game. Can someone please notify SPaRTAN. We could all do with a little free entertainment these days.
"The main difference between playing League and Union is that now I get my hangovers on Monday instead of Sunday - Tom David
It's just a little it of history repeating
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/...tripper-fracas
It seems the week for repeats.....
80 Minutes, 15 Positions, No Protection, Wanna Ruck?
Ruck Me, Maul Me, Make Me Scrum!
Education is Important, but Rugby is Importanter!
"The main difference between playing League and Union is that now I get my hangovers on Monday instead of Sunday - Tom David
5 leg multi with all the Aussie sides winning pays $13,392
5 leg multi with all the Kiwi sides winning pays $1.96
Is Anstee still available for selection or has he been released for the Olympics?
Looks like the chiefs have a fair few injuries and are rather short in lock stocks.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/...force-in-perth
Could be some good opportunities in the line out and rolling maul for us. Maybe go all in with Thrush, Timani, FLW and Anstee starting??
He should still be available as per this:
https://www.rugby.com.au/news/tim-an...ympics-2021412
Capacity limits removed from outdoor stadiums as of 12:01am Saturday
Source - Emperor McGowan's Instagram (also ABC Perth Insta)