Western Force vs Melbourne Rebels: Live Super Rugby scores, blog

Justin there is always some confusion in the Fox commentary with Pocock, Hodgson, Browne and McCalman. Apart from Ben being as wide as a barn door they are relatively similar in size and games style. One of the issues for the Force is that similarity rather than say having a big 8 like Palu. However they are mobile and pilfer a huge quantity of ball. FYI Matt Hodgson has twice been the best player at Force, not bad considering he competed against the likes of Gits, Mitchell, Shephers at his best, Sharpie and of course Pocock.

had to rely on 3rd party, no concessions from ARU like Rebels thus they are partly culpable for the firepower fiasco. I might add it was not only the force that got caught in his shennanigans, Sydney Kings springs to mind. I think he got off the hook recently owing millions?

A large reason for players like gits and mitchell leaving was due to firepower going bankrupt during the GFC, as a result a large amount of 3rd party payments owing to players were not honoured.

they signed Mitchell and Giteau who both misfired Gits into oblivion and Mitchell to his credit changed and improved his game and has come good again, and unfortunestely Maafu BTW We are getting it in the neck from idiots for not DEVELOPING players, so its funny also getting it for not buying them even though we have ZERO concessions

another thing you have to realise RR is the shameful way the Force has been treated by the ARU. They have no concessions like Rebels (who can sign EIGHT internationals at a salary cap fee of $100k each independent of their actual wage), and get almost zero development dollars when fully developed QLD and NSW get millions, and they closed our academy forcing youth to go to NSW. And to think someone was asking how Zac Holmes slipped through the net. What a laugh, he could ONLY move east. There is no "throwing money" the ARU has hamstrung us, and indeed fined us large amounts several times for even TALKING to players let alone signing them and breaching a salary cap. The figures quoted for Genia were laughable starting at $400k then $500k then $550k and topping out at $600k. Which was it? As it is generally accepted the Force are in desperate need of a 10 and 12 (followed by a 9 - Sheehan is retiring), I suspect the logic of Genia was he would be a lodestone to attract those immediately outside him. Not a bad strategy, but not at $600k. If the Force can get a top notch coach who can get a 10 and instill several virtues patently missing (a killer instinct or winners attitude), things will start to happen. There is some talent in the backs to expoit, and the forwards are top notch.

Well if he won MOM then that says it all doesnt it. Just offering my opinion that he didnt stand out to me at ll. Now ONE other person says he was MOM then well what can I say? I thought McCalman was better...

Pocock has been quiet for a while now, I think similar to Genia the contract negotiations/uncertain future is weighing on his mind as well as the added responsibilities of the captaincy coupled with the coaching saga. Not a good time to go of the boil with the young tyros hooper and gill breathing down his neck. ATM I'd rate hooper as the form openside in aus, not only does he cause mayhem at the breakdown like pocock and gill but his also quite dynamic with ball in hand. His got some real speed. I took marks of him for some crucial missed tackles on fri nite but in hindsight that maybe attributable to the head knock he received.

hmmmm....well Justin he won MOM so someone in authority plus the whole crowd saw him. Must have done something right to get the nod ahead of media darling Kurtley

I was watching at the ground and he was into everything. He rightly was awarded man of the match at the ground. I do think he outplayed Pocock tonight, as he has done in 3 games in my opinion this year. Deans was at the ground. I hope he was watching the game and not just having beers with The Brand who was over.

Sorry I meant who has moved to the Force that wasn't signed in the orginal Force squad. Like have the Force signed anyone from their second year onwards? Only Maafu I can see and I can't remember his last test for Australia. The Rebels are only in their second year and they have signed 3 Wallabies to come over. Surely the Force are offering equal if not more money. I didn't say Perth was crap just that it to me seems like a less attractive destination for guys in their mid twenties. I follow Lipman on Twitter and he's always out on Chapel St with the boys hanging out. Or out clubbing with team mates (usually where Vuna is DJing I think). Players take these things into consideration when deciding who to sign with. As beautiful a place as Perth is, I don't believe it's appealing to the rugby players that other teams are chasing. Having not signed a current Wallaby after their first year proves this.

Hodgson? Baely saw him excepts for a couple of timid ball carries and a stupid yellow card offence. Pocock was quiet also...

Harvey is woeful, should not have been contracted for another season.

Agreed Melon

Willie "the artful dodger" ripia, but the most important loss has been Chucky!! Also Will tupou (who had a strong game today), Nalaga has only just returned after missing 6 weeks.

Oops wrong spot

pocock, sharpe, browne, hodgson, mccalman, shepherd, Mitchell, giteau, cross, cowan, maafu, wykes, sorry if I missed someone it's getting late RR your drivel was denigrating Perth, one of the most beautiful, clean, modern and prosperous cities on earth. 3% unemployment, white sand beaches, crystal clean water, perfect summers, warm winters, passionate fans, successful teams etc etc. the only thing lacking is established culture, which wouldn't please WASO et al too much, but then going to the ballet might not appeal to the average rugby player. Now, where can we find any of those things in NZ? Hmmmm...can't. Yet you won't find me dissing NZ it's a lovely place to visit or retire to

they beat the brumbies in their second game ever but yeah since then their only aussie conference wins are against the force.

Who are the Force missing from their starting 22 over the last two weeks? Sam Wykes, gene Fairbanks, nick Cummins, Ben McCalman, Kieran longbottom, Cameron shepperd, pat Dellit, Justin turner, Angus cottrel. Ive probably missed a couple but I think i have answered your question. The Force have been ravaged by injuries in a squad with very limited depth. Another tough year in blue.

It might not be nice but I think it's true. Force only seem to have discards no one wants and Pocock. I can't think of anyone that moved to the Force and was still playing Wallabies after their first season.

As a diminishing Tahs follower, I thought the Rebels Force game was a cracker and applaud both teams for the great tries they scored and for the attacking skills they executed. They were everything the one dimensional Tahs are not, ambitious, adventurous, exciting: some of Beale's cut out passes were gems, even though he faded later in the game. He is getting better at the Rebels, what a talent. Both the Rebels or Force will win a title before the Tahs, they are developing into the DUDS of the Australian conference. Sack the Board, gut it, clean out the back office staff, start anew, the place is poison.