The Chiefs were amazing in this romp, they seemed complacent in the first half but a few tweaks in the second led to a much more focused performance and a 43-point win.
REPORT: CHIEFS SCORE NINE TRIES AGAINST FORCE
Matt Hodgson, Force captain, resembles Alistair Cook in having to front the cameras after yet another pummelling. He tries to put on a brave face, and he does pretty well considering he’s carrying about 5 welts and several more cuts on his head.
Final score
Chiefs 53
Force 10
In the last five games between these two, the average points difference has been 8.4. Somehow, in the swirling cosmos, fate has decided that the Force will be the Chiefs‘ bogey team. Join The Roar for commentary, scores and maybe even a little bit of chat, to see if the Force can continue to upset the odds from 5:35pm AEDT.
The Force are a very Australian team, in that they’re well-organised and hard-working without being too flamboyant. Look at the cricket team, for instance: their lack of swagger holds them back in Twenty20 but keeps their composed and efficient in the Test match arena.
Against the Rebels, Hurricanes and Brumbies – especially against the Canberrans, where captain Matt Hodgson was quite confident in confronting Stephen Moore – the Perth-based side more than held their own in the grunt-side of things.
Yet, in every game their lack of flair in the backs and inability to hold their performance level beyond 60 mins (possibly because of a lack of depth) has let them down. For instance, after 43 minutes against the Hurricanes the score was 10-6, at full time it ended up 41-6.
However, the tiredness and travel factor is a big one tonight, while the Force have been in New Zealand for a week, the Chiefs are returning home after playing the Kings and the Jaguares away. The Chiefs did beat both of those teams, with victory over the Jaguares in Buenos Aires a far more impressive feat than beating the woeful Kings.
But even considering that, the quality of the Chiefs – solid bets for final contenders the last few years – is a rather massive block in the way of Force success tonight. One hopes that any hint of fatigue and/or bogeyman fear will be ruthlessly exploited by the workmanlike Force, because otherwise, sorry to say, there’s a good chance of a trouncing.
Chiefs by 15.
Join The Roar for commentary, scores and maybe even a little bit of chat, to see if the Force can continue to upset the odds from 5:35pm AEDT.
Johnny Boy Jnr
Guest
The Force have always been a lousy side and are a drain on Australian rugby's money and resources. Looking forward to cutting them in 2020 along with the Sunwolves, Jaguares & Kings Super XIV is a format which would could have sustainable interest
andrewM
Guest
I actually think the Kiwi commentators aren't too bad. Prefer them to the Fox ones.
Shane D
Roar Rookie
yep, reading comments about biased referees that don't actually say what was biased & what impact it had. Just comes across as a whinge.
Shane D
Roar Rookie
Got to feel for Matt Hodgson. The bloke just never stops trying. Great example was Ngatais send try. Hodgson made a tackle deep in defence & still got there to be the only defender chasing. Some of his team mates need to have a look at the commitment he displays. The defence in the last 15 minutes was deplorable, not just for its ineffectiveness in technique but it looked like some players had just given it away.
Phantom
Roar Rookie
Kearns nd Martin make Tony Johnston look bipartisan an articulate. .Still another top drawer performance by an Australian team
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
Still think I was optimistic OB? .... though must concede was a little out in my prediction... I suggested margin would be two try minimum... *S*
DaniE
Roar Guru
Ngatai looks like he's giving a good crack at the AB 12s jersey
DJW
Roar Rookie
Us Force fans can only dream of having a team that plays like the Cheifs did tonight. Cheifs were awesome.
Old Bugger
Guest
Well, I figured this match would be a banana-skin game for the Chiefs due to all the travel, their injuries and the hot-cold nature, of the team. Folks talk about the Chiefs depth and the strength of their bench - well tonite, the bench was more about inexperience rather than experience and yet, this team put on 41 unanswered points, in the 2nd half. Not that the Force didn't have their chances - Masurewa made 3 clean breaks and yet neither break, provided any points. I can't explain that one except to say it was IMO, the difference between the sides. I'll take the win and, I'll take the BP also because while this is happening, then I can also wait to take the fitness of the injured blokes, when they return. I think Rennie may just have a nice problem on his hands when they return. All these unknown players entering their 1st SR season, put their hands up tonite but I have to make a mention for one of the old hands. I can see why he's captain of Japan and I can see why Rennie, was so desperate for his return even though Japan, got a Sanzar invitation. Mike Leitch played a captain's knock tonite even when, he's not the captain. He had ruck turn-overs; he tackled; he played a true No8 game at the back and linked well with both his HBs. Charlie Ngatai played out of his skin tonite and can someone tell me if, there is any other inside centre, with that much speed. McKenzie continues to play with a big ticker for such a little bloke. The pack held their own against a far bigger, taller and heavier pack. A game to remember for the comeback by the Chiefs since the 25min of the 1st half through to the 80th minute. Exhilarating match of running rugby delivering 9tries to the Chiefs and, a try to the Force. I shouldn't worry about travel and injuries should I but gees, I didn't pick the scale of that scoreline. I was just hoping for a win.
DJW
Roar Rookie
Time for Foley to stop trying to impersonate a rugby coach. Fall on your sword Foley!
Chinmay Hejmadi
Roar Guru
Some real classics from the commentary box too today : Tony Johnson on Damian McKenzie's kicking routine : "He's like the one who gets the joke late, after thinking about it for a long time" Christian Cullen on Stephen Donald's return to New Zealand : "At least this time they've given him a correct sized jersey"
Dubaikiw
Guest
Taped the game, saw the last 10 minutes live, just wow..was my eyes deceiving me, did i see the beaver!
Chinmay Hejmadi
Roar Guru
Boy, what a performance from the Chiefs. Not enjoyed a performance from a rugby team so much in a long long time. Ngatai, McKenzie and Leich were absolutely magnificent. Force faded badly after Cottrell's sin-binning though. Matt Hodgson even dropped the F-bomb in the post match interview with Scott Stevenson xD Really tough night for the Force. And to think that the Chiefs left 10 points on the field with missed conversions.
Squirrel
Guest
Good effort Force. When is this side going to get the heave ho
Nicholas Hartman
Roar Guru
What to say? The Force got their arse kicked in. Michael Foley has to be under some serious pressure. The Chiefs were amazing in this romp, they seemed complacent in the first half but a few tweaks in the second led to a much more focussed performance. Matt Hodgson, Force captain, resembles Alistair Cook in having to front the cameras after yet another pummelling. He tries to put on a brave face, and he does pretty well considering he's carrying about 5 welts and several more cuts on his head. The Force go to Dunedin next weekend. Let that sink in. Anyway, the Rebels v Highlanders is on next, should be a cracker. Thanks for sticking around everyone! Cheers & Goodbye
DaniE
Roar Guru
Hmm I tipped the Chiefs to win with 9 points in front of the Force, but that was obviously ridiculously conservative for a team that didn't look tired at all considering they've crossed half the globe in a week!
riddler
Guest
that is a shocker from the force.. only saw the last 20.. congrats chiefs..
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
porous.... now thats a new rugby term.
Nicholas Hartman
Roar Guru
80' TRY!!! CHIEFS (Ngatai) My bad. Ngatai has equalled the Super individual record with 4 tries in a match. Absolute shambles this Force defence is. Two dropped balls and a half-arsed scramble. Chiefs 53 Force 10
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
Merci... enough!!