The Western Force are looking to bounce back from their flogging at the hands of the Waratahs last week when they host the Bulls in Perth. Join The Roar for live coverage from 9:05pm (AEDT).
The Force’s humbling by the Tahs in Perth last weekend – in which the NSW side ran in a record score against their cross-country rivals – was the Western Australian team’s sixth loss in a row.
With no joy since they beat the Queensland Reds in Round 2, the players must be in danger of forgetting the team song.
Last weekend, the Force looked ponderous and slow, and they will be looking to drag the Bulls into a dog fight here if they want to have any hope at all.
For their part, the Bulls are in form and playing good, entertaining rugby.
The South African side should be confident heading into this fixture – they have won four of their last six games against the Force, and have never lost to them by more than six points. On a four-match winning streak, a fifth win here would be the Bulls’ longest streak since 2013.
After the Force’s disappointing defeat last week, coach Michael Foley has swung the axe, making seven changes to the match-day squad, with Harry Scoble, Ian Prior, Luke Morahan and Ammon Matuauto are the players to come into the starting line-up.
Prediction
It will be closer than many people think, but it is hard to tip the Force off last week’s performance.
Bulls 1-12.
ForceFan
Guest
If Ben McCalman had either the inclination or ability to Captain the Force it would have happened last year when Hodgson was injured. The reality is that ONLY Sam Wykes was prepared to take on the job in Hodgo's absence. Hodgson is like good housekeeping - nobody notices it until it isn't done. I'm convinced that the total job that Hodgson does is a case of "You don't know what you've got 'til it's gone!" Captain Courageous has earned the right to step down at a time of his choosing.
DJW
Guest
It was highlighted by the Bulls trying to collapse the maul in the first half and not penalised then sending a force player off for it in the second half. One of the softest yellows I have ever seen. Make no mistake the Bulls were clearly the better team absolutely monstered the Force at the breakdown. Must have been about 15 penalties against the force for holding on because Force didn't have anyone cleaning out. Also monstered in the scrum. Missed tackles were the biggest problem for the Force, woeful defence. I was at the ground and it was probably the smallest crowd I can remember. On the telecast did the TMO get a number of camera angles? On the big screen he seemed to have one that was very hard to make a decision. I actually thought the last try take Force got was going to be a penalty to the Bulls for a pull back.
robel
Roar Pro
Again the Force have suffered from another big loss exacerbated by a the visiting team bringing thier own ref. Generally he was OK, but when it looked like the Bulls weren't winning by enough he sent off Coleman for 10. He failed to do anything about M. Hodgson being taken out of the game by the Bulls 2nd row and called back M. Hodgson for not releasing the ball for a quick tap (which replays show he did). This is another example of the Force being hammered at every 50/50 call the refs could make, if the opposition can get away with one, the ref lets it go, if the ref can call the Force for any perceived infraction he will.
Zero Gain
Guest
It was 5 tries to 2, not 10 tries to nil. 'Decimate', 'thrashed', 'blow out'. Force must have been comprehensively defeated, especially in the later part of the game, but are those descriptors really applicable?
andrewM
Guest
Yep, I counted three times in the first half where the Bulls were pulling down the maul when the Force were close to scoring, but sadly none in the second as the Force never got close enough
DaniE
Roar Guru
The Wolfies. Compare their home ground support to the Forces tonight. Foley has to go so Perth can love their team again
DaniE
Roar Guru
Haha
jameswm
Roar Guru
DHM did fine. Brache and Morahran too. Coleman not too bad, and the Force back row was good not great Otherwise, the Force were weak at fly-half to centre, and in the tight 5. Makes winning tough.
Charlie Turner
Guest
Uter Zorker, dead ringer, although Strauss is no joke!
JMB
Guest
I'm no stat man but Oz super rugby overall points differential surely has never been so ugly as 2016 right? Blow outs seem the rule not the exception anymore.
Charlie Turner
Guest
Ben McCalman has been completely outplayed tonight and will drop well down the list of no. 8's for the Wallabies. Leadership is not the problem with the Force it's skills, especially supporting the ball carrier off the ground and in the tackle.
Will Sinclair
Roar Guru
It was a pretty entertaining game, even though the Bulls ran away with it late. The Force were very disappointing. They were just insipid in attack, despite being really gutsy throughout. The bad losses are piling up now and the pressure will come onto coach Foley. The Bulls were very good indeed. They are building a good young team, and their back row and centres in particular were really outstanding tonight. Thanks for joining me, and have a bloody great weekend!
Will Sinclair
Roar Guru
80 mins FOR 20 - 42 BUL The try is awarded and converted, and that is all she wrote! THE BULLS HAVE BEATEN THE WESTERN FORCE BY 42 - 20!
Will Sinclair
Roar Guru
TRY FORCE! Godwin scores a comedy consolation try! Or does he... they are going to go upstairs to check whether a Bulls was held back.
Will Sinclair
Roar Guru
30 second to go. Thank the good Lord.
Will Sinclair
Roar Guru
79 mins FOR 13 - 42 BUL The Bulls look certain to score another try - taking several phases inside the Force 22 meter line - but the Force defend well and hold them out. Honestly, the Force have tried REALLY hard. You cannot fault the effort at all.
Will Sinclair
Roar Guru
Justin Bieber has come on to play fly half for the Bulls.
Will Sinclair
Roar Guru
The Force work through the phases, go nowhere, and concede a penalty for not releasing. Marto points out that the Force have been inaccurate at the breakdown. YA RECKON MARTO?
Will Sinclair
Roar Guru
Scoble has been replaced by Rangi. There is an obvious and immature joke about Rangi replacing a ranga to be made here...
Will Sinclair
Roar Guru
75 mins FOR 13 - 42 BUL C'mon lads. Let's get this done so we can all go to bed.