The Force and the Lions will face off on Saturday night at nib stadium. Join The Roar for live scores from the game and a live blog of the match, starting from 9:55pm AEST.
The Force have never lost to the Lions. The Lions have not lost to an Aussie Rugby team since May 2015. One of those streaks will surely end tonight.
The Force are known for playing things tight and forcing their opponents to fall into their defensive “Venus flytrap”. The Lions’ pride comes from their fast-paced 15-man attack.
A player to watch – 22-year-old Isi Nasairani from the Force is the probably the best Australian conference blindside flanker right now, and probably the best player name Isi or Izzy.
The battle between the two Test hookers will be good viewing. 31-year old Tatafu Polota-Nau and 22-year old and 2016 Springboks debutant Malcolm Marx will vie for set-piece supremacy.
Do not let Marx’s youth and inexperience fool you. He is one of the reasons for the Lions’ formidable winning record.
The Lions are tearing towards a strong finals run. Along with the Hurricanes and the Chiefs, they have an impressive 7-1 win-loss ratio. The Force sit third in the Australian Conference, their noses barely ahead of the Waratahs.
While the Force have had a run of losses, almost all have been single digit margins. This includes a nine-points loss against the Chiefs in their last match.
However, the pundits are forecasting that the Lions will deliver a double digit scoring winning result. I suspect they are right this time, and should break their losing drought today.
Join The Roar for live scores from the game and a live blog of the match, starting from 9:55pm AEST.
ScottD
Roar Guru
I'd say that some of the combo's are their 3rd choice 3 of their best 4 2nd row are injured, best tight head, best No 8, best two halfbacks best fullback, most experienced wing The Force basically down to one ir two attack options But hasn't Isi Nausarani been a revalation at loose forward Big fast skilled and fit will get better with experience
davSA
Guest
I queried the same thing last week Baylion. It doesn't add up though. The expansive approach got them into the finals last year and in the process dominated 2 NZ sides. If they make the playoffs it is again going to be against Kiwi teams who will have no fear of an upfront physical approach.
sittingbison
Guest
Force were playing at their best....for a team missing 12vstarters including 4 wallabies
Ryan
Guest
And those calls will be justified more than ever. It's no secret that home ground advantage can make all the difference and that advantage could be what gets an undeserving conference winner into the semi finals. In current results Australia doesn't deserve a finals spot let alone a home final. I feel sorry for any team who has to travel to SA of they have more points than their finals opponents.
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
agree biltongbek. hard work always beat talent. talent only gets a factor if it is combined with hard work.
I speak from experience when I say a decent team pnly needs to be highly motivated to pressure a good team.
andrewM
Guest
Curious that a second string Force team (no disrespect intended) pushed two very good teams in two consecutive weeks..I guess both were having off days then.
Baylion
Roar Rookie
The Force played a great spoiling game, making it tough for the Lions to score. I enjoy it when teams under threat, like the Force and the Kings, up their games
Baylion
Roar Rookie
From R365: Check out Planet Rugby Forum, a very international crowd posting there
Baylion
Roar Rookie
They Lions changed their game the last 4 games, playing a much tighter, forwards oriented and defensive game . Preparing for the play-offs maybe?
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
WF played a lot closer to their max than the Lions did, on that we agree.
RobC
Roar Guru
Today the Lions had to work hard for their bonus point win, scoring 3 tries to Force's nil. The force through sheer grit and a genuine pack-like approach to defence, have almost ground the Lions try scoring machine to a halt. But not quite. A last gasp try after the final whistle game the Lions a much needed bonus point win. The Force had their chances up to the last stanza. Until the Lions decided that mauls will be the best bet. And it worked. As it has been for many seasons, the Force will need to find a way to get into the redzone, but are unable to penetrate the tryline when their opponents are lined up across the paddock. Jono Lance is a brilliant attacking half. Im guessing he wishes his back five gives him a bit more width and speed. In any case, given the performances of others. He literally just needs to stay fit to get a look in for the WBs, I think. The Lions also showed grit. But most would have expected more from them. Ackers will come away from this, thankful for all the match points. His team will face the Rebels in Melbourne next followed by the Brumbies in Canberra. His fans will expect him, WW and his boys to deliver W and W.
Quin
Guest
I did look at performances and I wasn't impressed with either. Force were playing at what I believe would be their very best yet still couldn't score and they were playing at home. The Lions I thought were a few clicks of their best and still never looked like losing and I've mentioned that a few times on here. They also managed to score three tries.
Quin
Guest
We certainly do look at it differently. I think the Force played well but IMO the Lions were off their game and their discipline made the Force look better than they actually were. I know everyone is grasping for positives about the Force and super rugby in general however I saw this game as a home team (Force) lacking in attacking ideas and struggling for any real punch and especially when needed inside the opposition 22, The Lions on the other hand looked a little off their game but still managed to score three tries and repel any attempt the Force made on their try line. The only score that matters to me personally at the end of the day is a win or a loss, with their heads on the chopping block every loss just brings that gullotine down faster.
RobC
Roar Guru
Some stats: tries:0-3 m: 338-336 DB: 15-25 CB: 4-10 OL: 8-12 TC: 11-15 Missed Tackles: 25-15 No player run more than 100m Hodgo: 16 tackles
sittingbison
Roar Pro
All night, Force haven’t been allowed to maintain possession in the hot zone. Very frustrating Fixed
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
exactly, when it s time for the playoffs there will another round of "the injustice in SR playoff" and yada yada yada. next year will be better, but not perfect, the winner of the OZ conference will still qualify for the playoffs no matter what. the big difference is the wild cards that will distributed more fair.
Mitcho
Guest
As most of you know rugby is about balls. It is owning the the advantage line and the one square metre your are standinding in. Prolly a few roars only like to to think they understand that but they are the same people who think they can't tackle say Jonah lomoo but Ben tune never had a problem. CAn be done. If you wanna be soft go to Sydney. It is a field sport respect the excellence of bbbb etc but frocks sake don't be afraid.
RobC
Roar Guru
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
that is alright , we just look at rugby a little bit different. overall Lions are a much better team than WF, but today WF managed to push Lions pretty hard.