Western Force v Western Province Sat 12 October 2024

[Tazzmania]

Western Force 23-player team list

Starters; Harry Hoopert, Tom Horton, Tiann Tauakipulu, Josh Thompson, Lopeti Faifua, Titi Nofoagatotoa, Dane Sawers, Will Harris, Henry Robertson (c), Coby Miln, Mac Grealy, Divad Palu, Ronan Leahy, George Poolman, Isaac Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens

Reserves; Albert Alcock, Marley Pearce, Tom Robertson, Darcy Swain, Reed Prinsep (vc), Doug Philipson, Harry Potter, Justin Landman

Western Force v DHL Western Province XV

[Tazzmania]

[James]

I wonder who the back up fly half would be.

[chiraag]

Interesting centre combination. I thought Leahy was a 12 and Palu a 13?

[Tazzmania]

I wonder who the back up fly half would be.

Very good question, you would have to think Mac Grealy will slot in there, if needed. (Wing, fullback and scrumhalf on this tour, showing some versatility!)

[Garry Owen]

I like the fact they are giving everyone a game on tour to see what they offer, unlike the Wallabies who are taking 64 on tour but will probably only play 40

[Sheikh]

I like the fact they are giving everyone a game on tour to see what they offer, unlike the Wallabies who are taking 64 on tour but will probably only play 40

Considering the two Wallaby A games are the day before two of the Wallaby matches, presumably they'll be playing at least 46 players!

[tjs10]

Considering the two Wallaby A games are the day before two of the Wallaby matches, presumably they'll be playing at least 46 players!

The Wallabies A squad will be completely separate to the Wallabies test tour squad.

Assuming the reserves for the test squad would logically be the next vest in each position, it suggests that the Australia A side will actually be the 3rd or 4th best players in many positions?

Given we only have 4 Australian franchises now and the policy is still to select from SR-contracted players, there could be a lot of new players making the A squad in November.

I'm sure Force will have more players in the A squad than the test one. but even so some deserving candidates will still miss out to Tahs 4th choices....

[Kiap]

Didn't get to watch the "Western v Western" match - pretty sure it wasn't on Stan - but it was a close finish.

Good pre-season tournament.

Force edge Western Province to close SA spring series on winning note

Sat, Oct 12, 2024, 10:55 PM
by Ben Somerford

The Western Force have finished their three-game South African spring series tour with a second victory, edging the DHL Western Province XV 34-33 in Stellenbosch on Saturday.

The Force triumphed by the narrowest of margins with five tries each in fine conditions at Markotter Stadium, with a late Coby Miln penalty kick ultimately proving the difference.

South African outfit Western Province had rallied back from 31-19 down to re-claim the lead, only for Miln to slot the match-winning penalty with a few minutes left, before the Force hung on.

In a see-sawing contest, the Force had raced to a 12-0 first-half lead only for the hosts to hold a 14-12 half-time advantage after Harry Hoopert's yellow card, before a second half full of more twists and turns.

The Force’s tries came from Tom Horton, George Poolman, Will Harris and Harry Potter, along with a penalty try before the late drama.

The victory means the Force will return to Perth with two wins – also beating the Cheetahs 38-24 last week - and a defeat to Emerging Ireland (29-24) from their three games on the South Africa tour.

It was a chaotic game which included yellow cards for both sides, along with a second-half Western Province red card for a high tackle on George Poolman.

The Force took the lead early from a maul try from hooker Horton. Fly-half Miln’s conversion hit the upright, meaning a 5-0 lead.

The visitors came under an intense period of pressure over the next 10 minutes, with the Force defence showing resolve and determination to hold their opponents at bay, underlined by back-rowers Harris and Dane Sawers causing turnover, while lock Josh Thompson showed his physicality too.

The Force thought they’d added a second try when Miln’s cross-field kick found Mac Grealy in space, releasing Harris for a certain try but it was called back for a forward pass.

Winger Poolman, however, got the second try with an intercept, with Miln converting for a 12-0 lead after half an hour.

But Western Province replied immediately with a penalty try as Force prop Hoopert was yellow carded.

Back Ronan Leahy was replaced with front-rower Marley Pearce to cover Hoopert’s absence but the home side capitalised on the numerical advantage with a converted try shortly after to take a 14-12 lead into half-time.

Like the first half, the Force jumped out of the blocks in the second stanza, with Harris re-claiming the lead with a try shortly after the interval for a 17-14 lead.

The South African outfit were reduced to 14 players after a high tackle on Poolman led to a red card and an extended break with the winger requiring treatment.

There was a flurry of action, including yellow cards for either side, but the Force pulled out to a 31-19 lead with a maul penalty try followed by Potter crossing.

However, the hosts hit back with two converted tries, before Miln’s decisive penalty kick.

https://westernforce.rugby/news/west...eport-20241012

[chiraag]

Anywhere we can watch the game or highlights?

[blueandblack]

Anywhere we can watch the game or highlights?

"Trust us".

[shasta]

If you don't have Stan or suspended it; the WP game is up on YTube. Picture quality not so great.

[chiraag]

Cheers.
Is it actually on Stan? I can't seem to find it - can only find the previous 2 games from the tour

[shasta]

Cheers.
Is it actually on Stan? I can't seem to find it - can only find the previous 2 games from the tour

Sorry that was a bum steer. The Cheetahs match is on YT.

[blueandblack]

Cheers.
Is it actually on Stan? I can't seem to find it - can only find the previous 2 games from the tour

No it isnt. Hence why I posted the image showing the first 2 are and this one is "Behind Closed Doors". If it was on Stan, it would have said so.