After a two-match tour of South Africa, the Force are back at home and strongly favoured to defeat a Lions outfit coming off a heavy defeat to the Waratahs. Join us for live scores and commentary from 7:30pm AEST.
The Force will be hoping that last week’s loss to the Stormers was merely a bump on the road to the Super Rugby finals.
A victory today against the Lions will go a long way to getting the Force back on track. The Perth-based club finds itself in seventh position following last week’s defeat to the struggling Stormers.
After coming off a strong win over the Cheetahs, the Force were unable to secure back-to-back wins in South Africa and now find themselves placed in a mid-table logjam alongside the Hurricanes, Crusaders, Waratahs and Highlanders.
If several results go their way, the Force could find themselves as high as second on the ladder if they manage to secure a bonus-point victory over the Lions.
A loss tonight, however, would be a severe blow to the Force’s finals aspirations. It would be a poor way to end what has been a very good season.
If the Force hope to get back to winning ways, they need to respect possession a lot better than what they did last week against the Stormers.
On the few occasions that the Force went on the attack, they invariably dropped the ball or took the wrong option in attack. This was especially evident when the Force had a two-man advantage late in the second half, but still struggled to penetrate a well organised Stormers defence.
Regardless of last week’s effort, the Force have often played their best rugby at home and should be far too strong for the Lions tonight.
Force by 19
Jerry
Guest
Refs use jargon all the time - double movement is a useful shorthand just like 'lazy running', 'truck and trailer' or 'forward pass'.
SandBox
Roar Guru
Last week Pollock used the term 'double movement' when the rule book refers to a tackled players responsibility to release the ball. Not sure why refs use these commentators or average fans terminology
Matthew, to be honest this season's super rugby has been disappointing for me, too many games and their results have been skewed by inconsistent decisions, be it TMO or referees, too many matches turned towards home teams and ontop of that the SA teams have not performed well, I am actually tired of this season, I just want it to be over.
Go the Wannabe's
Guest
Someone should do a sports psychology piece on the Force and how important it is to ply for each other. The importance is underestimated by most teams but well illustrated y the Force this year.
Matthew Skellett
Guest
If I was the Lions i'd have felt rightfully aggrieved BB , Walsh last night was awful and almost lost control of himself on several occasions - the Lions certainly didn't deserve that scoreline at all
Crazy Horse
Guest
I wouls prefer he learnt the rules. He disaalowed a try for "accidental obstruction". There is no such thing in the game.
Turnover
Roar Guru
Mate the French commentary on Eurosport is pretty horrible.
You see many of those types of tackles near the line. They ate never called.
IronAwe
Guest
Well I don't think it was cheating, but I agree it shouldn't have been a yellow card.
DMac
Guest
The decision was correct. There were no arms in the tackle. Comparing it to Stuart Berry's blatant incompetence/cheating is ridiculous.
Johnno
Guest
Juan Smith still the man, haveing a great game , he's better than Kieren Reid and Jerry Collins at his best such a good player Juan Smith, the Brad Clyde of rugby. Gits playing well.
felix
Guest
Good move by Toulon replacing Chiocci,I cant remember when I've seen him struggle this much at crumtime,Giteau is the best 12 in the world.
With 14 men ;)
LD151
Guest
What a surprise! A South African team is again the victim of yet another ridiculous TMO decision in Australia / NZ. Where do we draw the line at blatant cheating? Who do these officials answer to? It's an absolute joke. C'mon, you Australian folks have been howling for weeks about Stuart Berry.. This is your opportunity to appraise one of your own. The decision had a major impact on the game. I think the Lions have got every right to feel aggrieved. Not saying they should have won but it just seems that there is ALWAYS a controversial decision that goes against a South African team when touring Australasia. It stinks.
kunming tiger
Guest
2 tries not 2 trys
barbz
Guest
I hate kearns and marto but I like maloney :(
SandBox
Roar Guru
Walsh is not perfect, but you would prefer a penalty every minute and no chance for the game to flow?
Tane Mahuta
Guest
The fox team is the worst on the planet by miles. Not all bad, Clarkie and Horan are OK and George isnt too bad and getting better. You seriously need to ditch Maloney, Kearns and Marto. They are awful, really bad.
Crazy Horse
Guest
Burto was very good tonight. A future Wallaby for sure. Interestingly my spies tell me there is a tussle going on between the Force who want him for the Crusaders game and the ARU who want him for the Under 20s.
Crazy Horse
Guest
Dear Steve Walsh. There is no such thing as "Accidental Obstruction". the Laws are explicit. Obstuction must be intentional, "10.1 Obstruction (a) Charging or pushing. When a player and an opponent are running for the ball, either player must not charge or push the other except shoulder-to-shoulder. Sanction: Penalty kick (b) Running in front of a ball carrier. A player must not intentionally move or stand in front of a team-mate carrying the ball thereby preventing opponents from tackling the current ball carrier or the opportunity to tackle potential ball carriers when they gain possession. Sanction: Penalty kick (c) Blocking the tackler. A player must not intentionally move or stand in a position that prevents an opponent from tackling a ball carrier. Sanction: Penalty kick (d) Blocking the ball. A player must not intentionally move or stand in a position that prevents an opponent from playing the ball. Sanction: Penalty kick (e) Ball carrier running into team-mate. A player carrying the ball must not intentionally run into team-mates in front of that player. Sanction: Penalty kick