Pre season games

[WFDom]

Anyone watch the Drua game? Would be interested to hear peoples opinions. Still at work unfortunately

[todd4]

It was a smart move by the Force getting their season loses done and out of the way during the trial matches.

[chiraag]

Discipline was again a major issue. We gave away a heap of penalties, which meant we gave up far too much easy territory. Fixing this really needs to be our main focus.

Attack and defence both looked better than the reds trial game. However still let in a lot of tries and still occasional defensive lapses.

Spink looks to be a good prospect, although lost the ball in contact a few times.
Defensive lineout was good again.
Williams had a strong game at 6. Kalapu also looks decent.
Prior surprisingly looked the best of the scrum halves.
Mataele, pulu, kibirige and tiatia all had good games and should give us some decent firepower out wide.
Not convinced by Stewart at 10, but hopefully he improves.
Kaitu'u looks the better of the hookers around the ground, but his throwing still a bit iffy.

Overall feeling more positive about the team than after the reds trial game, but still a lot to work on and think the best we can hope for this season is to sneak into the finals.

[fulvio sammut]

I dare say there is a fair chance the force will win their last pre season game ....

[Tazzmania]

Well covered by Chiraag

Additional comments:

This was a trial game and we correctly tried to play a structured game to fine tune the team and combinations, however when the ball came loose or shape lost by us, this suited the Fijians and they made us pay time after time.
Great to see Rodda get fifty good minutes.
Agree Williams had a very strong game and needs to be in the starting 15 (either 6 or lock)
Worried about 10 and Hegarty did not get much time to show what he may offer.
Marley Pearce, say no more, absolutely chuffed for the young fella getting a pie, and also playing tighthead.
Spink is growing on me.
Faingai, Maetele, Tiatia played well within themselves, I am sure lots more to come from them.
Pulu has to start and stay injury free.
Not much to choose between the three scumhalves, I will be happy with any of them playing or rotating.
Gave away too many penalties.
Ollie Callan needs consistency he did a lot well but also gave away a lot of penalties.
We need to learn to only kick if we can chase and put the oppostion under pressure, just kicking to a team like the Drua and giving them metres to start an attack was and proved our undoing.
The finishing team was very young and if they stay the course the future looks good.

[jargan83]

I dare say there is a fair chance the force will win their last pre season game ....

Internal trial game?

[fulvio sammut]

Almost, Jargan. You should get to training more.

[Buddha Handy]

I thought Prior was definitely still the better halfback which is disappointing as I was expecting more from Fines by this stage. Our lineout should be a big strength so hopefully we can build a game around that, but overall thought the performance was pretty ordinary

[bootsetal06]

Discipline….. Execution in pressure situations on attack and defence…. Discipline…… Discipline.
Definitely a big improvement. Still worried about 10 ….. what’s the progress on Pasitoa ?
Go Force !

[Tazzmania]

Pasitoa likely to be out for most of the season, and his re introduction will be managed.

Hegarty could step in as well as Campbell Parata who had a decent outing in the Reds trial match

[shasta]

what’s the progress on Pasitoa ?

Last report had him returning with roughly 4 matches to go.

[valzc]

Was relatively pleased with the big improvement on last weeks effort. Definitely a step up in execution and attack phases even though there were still some really dumb decisions eg forgetting to jump in set piece, passing the ball to opposition running beside you, pushed passes to no one… Still a lot to bring up to scratch but at least muscled up at the breakdown a lot more in 2nd half. Despite being mowed over by big units keep in mind the score was 38-41 & but for yet another daft penalty given away, that humongous no 30 had an easy stroll over the line. And this was the Fiji international team wasn’t it? Would like to see Mataele being more involved tho- he was way more proactive in the NPC matches than he’s been in these trials, is he not getting the space? Really impressed with Marley.

[chiraag]

What's the news on koteka? Injured?

[jargan83]

Was relatively pleased with the big improvement on last weeks effort. Definitely a step up in execution and attack phases even though there were still some really dumb decisions eg forgetting to jump in set piece, passing the ball to opposition running beside you, pushed passes to no one… Still a lot to bring up to scratch but at least muscled up at the breakdown a lot more in 2nd half. Despite being mowed over by big units keep in mind the score was 38-41 & but for yet another daft penalty given away, that humongous no 30 had an easy stroll over the line. And this was the Fiji international team wasn’t it? Would like to see Mataele being more involved tho- he was way more proactive in the NPC matches than he’s been in these trials, is he not getting the space? Really impressed with Marley.

38-48 according to the Force's own social media account.

[SNOB]

Freaking penalties! That was the only thing that everyone seemed to know how to do? Gave up watching half way through second half.
Seems as though the Wasps player in the backs has a good boot on him.
Impressed with Williams.