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It was only a trial game but the Western Force beat the Brumbies 31-21 at The University of Western Australia Sports Park in front of a large crowd.
The Brumbies were lucky to get the points they did. It was 17-0 in favour of the Force when, right on half time, the Brumbies were awarded a penalty five metres out.
The Force appeared to have switched off for the break and the Brumbies were able to drive over for a try. The Brumbies scored again twice early in the second half but it was all Force after that as the home team added another 14 points.
It was only when the Force received a yellow card in the dying minutes of the game that the Brumbies were able to score again. The boys in blue, black and gold will be very happy with their first hit-out for 2015.
In good news for Wallabies supporters, David Pocock played the whole game and seemed fine.
As for the Super Rugby season proper, the Force have a tough start to the season with the opening match away against the reigning premiers. The equivalent match last year was a shocker, with the Force failing to show up. At that time no one had worked out how to neutralise Israel Folau and inexplicably the Force didn’t field any of their first-string kickers.
Everyone will be out to wipe out the memory that appalling performance come Round 1. Matt Hodgson and Kyle Godwin both have something to prove after being snubbed by the Wallatahs coach on the end of year tour.
A win would be great but I’d settle for loosing bonus point from this one.
Next up the Reds in Brisbane. The Force have been the Reds’ bogey side for the last decade and will want to continue that way. The great unknown is the new boys in the Reds line-up, with James O’Connor and Karmichael Hunt out to prove themselves. Hunt is an unknown but the senior players in the Force played with O’Connor for years before he was sacked from the Force, ironically by now-Reds coach Richard Graham.
The Force will win this one, but not easily.
Then they face the Hurricanes coming back from South Africa at Force Field. Expect a massive turn out from the Sea of Blue and Perth-based Kiwis. The atmosphere will be electric and the Force should win.
Game four sees the Force travel to Canberra to take on the Brumbies, the other form Aussie team of 2014. While the bookies will back the Brumbies at home it is a winnable game for the Force.
The Rebels back in Perth should result in a win for the Force before they depart for South Africa. If the Force can win one from two against the Bulls and Sharks they’ll be satisfied.
No one could possibly predict any further into the season than that. Let’s just say that if the Force can arrive home from South Africa well placed on the table they’ll be serious finals contenders with six of their remaining nine matches at home.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.