After suffering defeats in the opening round, the Western Force and the Brumbies will be looking to open their Super Rugby account when they clash in Perth tonight. Join us for live scores and commentary from 10.00pm AEDT.
The Force and Brumbies were denied victory by the Waratahs and Reds respectively last week and will be keen to get their seasons up and running tonight.
Despite pushing NSW considerably early in the second half, a mixture of poor discipline and ball handling contributed to the Force’s demise against the Waratahs last week.
The Force were punished for making mistakes last week, conceding six tries in a heavy loss.
The Brumbies meanwhile completely dominated Queensland in the second half, but still couldn’t find a way past a Reds defence that did not give an inch.
Statistics reveal that the Reds only had possession in Brumbies territory for 33 seconds last week, which speaks volumes about the territorial dominance the Brumbies had at home .
Despite dominating possession and field position however, the Brumbies still failed to put Queensland to the sword and ended up losing a match they feel they should have won.
With last year’s Super Rugby finalists eager to get on the board, expect the Brumbies to come out firing in a bid to re-establish their status as Australia’s best Super Rugby outfit.
The Force, though, will also be eager for redemption following last week’s error riddled effort against the Waratahs.
In a losing outfit, Force winger Nick Cummins was solid last week and will need to be kept in check by the Brumbies.
Cummins scored a try and set up another last week against NSW and is a player renowned for his strong work ethic.
Brumbies fullback Jesse Mogg will also have plenty of eyes on him tonight given the mixed performance he produced against Queensland last week.
Despite scoring a try, Mogg made several mistakes, one of which led to Queensland scoring the match-winning try.
Expect the likes of Zac Holmes to put up plenty of high balls to test out Mogg’s confidence early on.
With both teams desperate for a win, this contest should be evenly contested given that the Force are at home.
If the Force can just improve their ball handling, they do possess the forwards capable of grinding out an upset win.
Force by 5
kipper
Guest
Elisha, i ahve been a member since day 1. The stadium is now ver good. 200% better than trying to watch a game at subi. We stand in the shed - suits us as we have 6 season ticket holders and quite a few other friends who come when they can - hence no issues re. seats. Unfortunately we are getting very annoyed at the dross that is being served up on the field. 9 years of disappointment is hard to take !!
Johnno
Guest
Magic Sponge you clown, there not allowed, ARU restricts numbers. Who said the best you clown -Gareth Delve,James Haskell, are internationals, Danny Cipriani -Glen Somerville,Ged Roibinson NZ, Tamati Ellison, Daniel Braid -Pottiger South Africa Are they all crap players, And who said it had to be just Europe, NZ/South Africa/Fiji/Samoa/Tonga Who said there dud imports, is that list dud imports who have played super rugby. What don't you get Magic Sponge, the ARU put restrictions on foreign import numbers. If you think the force locals are good enough , then your a bigger clown t than i thought.
Magic Sponge
Guest
Johnno you clown Get on the dog and bone and call all these mystery imports that are just craving to relocate from Europe to playfor the bye and get that illustrious wooden spoon year in year out. Giving them 15 dud imports will still give them the spoon. I'm sure the cream of European players can't wait to relocate to one of the most expensive cities in the world for crap pay and few if any wins.
Magic Sponge
Guest
I think Turner & Mogg could get a run. Goodwin is going south, I can't see him pushing himself in the squad. Pocock is a work in progress, jury is out. Goodwin should go to the reds if he wants a gold jersey.
hog
Guest
I cannot beleive that Brendon Cannon thinks that the long distance travel is a Super rugby advantage. We are a better team than you because we can travel 20,000klm better.
Charles Plowdog
Guest
There was just no urgency to get the 4th try. Too much aimless kicking in the 2nd half. Why the Brumbies didn't go for the line when they were 24-0 up I don't know. PS: I hope Pat McCabe is OK. He was great in the first half.
Magic Sponge
Guest
Brumbies are not the same side without GSMith and Jake white, midfielders this year , but like the way they play.
Batdown
Guest
Oh oh! Set piece problems already. Wonky Lions lineout throw and gave away a penalty at scrumtime.
Batdown
Guest
Almost time for the Bulls/ Lions game. I'm expecting a tight contest initially with the Lions pack holding their own. But expecting the Bulls pack to dominate at set piece and the breakdown. Bulls by 12 points plus.
Magic Sponge
Guest
Did not see that coming? Glad Foley has those systems working. The laws of probability is must at least win a game somehow, somewhere. The stretcher bearer seems to be the most prominent person at the Force.
Rugby stu
Guest
I would prefer WA to have a production line with the capacity and adequate pathways to grow the game rather than a full team of expensive foreign mercenaries which are a short-term superficial fix, WA has come a fair way in a short space of time. I would prefer a blended team with both talented foreigners and local talent until the local talent is up too speed. The existing crop of WA superugby players have done a great job with Godwin, Holmes and Longbottom, who knows what else we might see in the future if it is given a chance?
linz22
Guest
Any news on Pocock??
Johnno
Guest
Hot off the press, for today's papers. Brendon Cannon article on foreigin imports for super rugby. http://www.news.com.au/national/sanzar-should-let-players-join-rival-nations-franchises-in-super-rugby-brendan-cannon-writes/story-e6frfkp9-1226842576405 What Canno though doesn't realize is it's not SANZAR's choice, it's the unions choice how many foreign imports per team (ARU/NZRU/SARU) each Union decides.
Batdown
Guest
I really don't think that increasing.foreign imports is the only solution Hog, it is too simple an answer to my mind. Rugby is a team game, always has been. Taking the Cheetahs, Chiefs and Brumbies as an example. A comprehensive change in culture, team ethos and coaching style brought forth almost immediate success to these three teams. Just a thought.
Alan
Roar Guru
The Force have fallen 27-14 at home against the Brumbies but toiled hard in the second half to avoid the Brumbies from registering a bonus point that looked like a formality really after the Brumbies scored three tries in the opening 23 minutes of the first half. The Brumbies too intense and clinical in the first half and they blew the Force away. The second half though saw the Force dominate possession and territory but could not convert pressure into points until the very end. Thanks for your company tonight and join us next time on The Roar Force 14 Brumbies 27
Batdown
Guest
My MOTM goes to the impressive Western Force crowd, solid and dependable and still there to the bitter end! Hats off to you all! 10 out of 10! ;)
DMac
Guest
Glad that the force showed some heart in the second half.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Scrums were a joke in the second half too, bloody hell it makes a game boring!
Alan
Roar Guru
CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL - Force have finished strongly but their first half shocker costs them the match FULLTIME Force 14 Brumbies 27
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Brumbies throw another bonus point opportunity away again! No killer instinct...