This Friday night Round 14 Super Rugby clash sees the Force travelling to Brisbane to play the Reds. Join The Roar from 7:45pm (AEST) for all the live action as we cover this Round 14 match from Australia.
A typically hard fought and aggressive derby should be expected tonight as these two rivals go head to head, the Force will certainly be looking to make amends after their disappointing outing against the Highlanders in Perth last weekend and the Reds, fresh from a bye will be highly motivated to secure the points knowing they are still in the hunt for the Australian Conference title.
Both sides have named strong line-ups this evening thought the Force are still without their Wallaby fullback, Dane Haylett Petty while for the Reds, Karmichael Hunt returns to the fullback position.
The respective packs look very solid; the Reds in particular with a host of experience complimented by a rising start in Lukhan Tui in the second row and his clash with Adam Coleman of the Force will be one of many match-ups to keep an eye on.
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As has been the case in recent outings, one should expect the Reds to continue with their expansive and exciting style of play and while the Force work hard defensively, the challenge will be in how they find the try line themselves, particularly important playing away from home.
Some matchups to keep an eye on this evening will be in the loose forwards, where two quality 8s go head to head in Scott Higgenbotham and Isi Naisarani while two old timers square off at openside with George Smith and Matt Hodgson while at second five, two in form players line up against one another with Duncan Paia’aua and Billy Meakes crossing swords.
Tip
Reds by 16. Too much firepower within this Reds side to ignore in what I suspect may be a comfortable victory for the home side.
Join us here on The Roar as we cover all the action live from Brisbane.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
I'm a Reds fan who now lives in Melbourne so follows the Rebels when they don't play the Reds...
sean
Guest
He's a Springbok so no, he doesn't.
ThugbyFan
Guest
Anto, you are not wrong there. That last Force try was because Curtis Rona sailed through a Duncan Paia'aua tackle. That was a strange but terrible miss as I've seen DP put on some great hits this SR (his hit on R.Crotty was a beauty). S.Kerevi also lets too many OC get past him, and Scott Higginbothem in any game is either a fortress or a revolving door. I remember last year when everyone was pushing N.Frisby cause to the WB. I mentioned a couple of times that his passing was ponderous and often wayward. Sadly he has gone downhill from then, maybe confidence or injury I don't know but its not good.
Peter Cockcroft
Roar Rookie
Maybe put George Smith as halfback? At least you wouldn't get any stupid box kicks! If only Hooper could pass - could put him in as Wallabies #9 :)
ThugbyFan
Guest
That Force forward pack is easily the best in Australia. And how about the 3 reserve props/hooker? Not a bad trio to being on at 55-60 minutes, all WB reps. Qld Reds lost against Tahs and now Force on the back of penalties. Last night was 4 tries apiece but 4 pens to the Force. Nick Stiles really needs to kick a couple of butts.
ThugbyFan
Guest
Spot on PeterK, I was busy getting a drink when it happened so only caught 10 seconds of the replay but thought "I must have missed something, that wasn't a bleedin ruck". Good to know I am not as stupid as most people think. :)
Heather
Guest
I find rugby union refs are quite hopeless can they not be held accountable for incompetence, some seem very blatant
piru
Roar Rookie
it looked worse in slow motion, funny thing is, everyone was so engrossed in looking for obstruction, they missed that the last pass was forward
Crazy Horse
Roar Pro
A clearly exhausted force at the end of a gruelling road trip played awfully against rampant New Zealand side. Forget that the same team slaughtered a Jaguares the week before. So of course the out of form Reds were always going to beat the team that has beaten them six out of the nine match ups including the last twice. I'll give you a prediction. The Force will go down to the Hurricanes next week. The Eastern states commentators will once again dis the Force. Then the Force will smash the Tahs and Rebels to finish second in the Australian Conference.
Lets Fix It
Roar Rookie
Struth
In Brief
Guest
Before this match I was reasonably confident the Force would win. My rationale was that Qld is missing a couple of key ingredients. The first issue they have is half back, where Frisby, who seems like a great guy, just doesn't seem to be at super rugby standard. Quade Cooper is a very good player, but due to injury (I think) is slightly of his game - this impacts exit plays,and place kicking. Then there is the forward back. Qld have some brilliant, dynamic players, but are a bit weak in the front row. Queensland also lack depth, and I don't think play with a very clear, defined game plan. So they have moments of brilliance with many errors thrown in and tend to fade. A match set up for the very solid Force to poach as they did.
In Brief
Guest
I agree with you and would add the referee made several strange decisions. The forward pass by Cooper followed by several odd penalties against the Force led to a Qld try. Then the yellow card for the slap which despite world rugby directives would have been let go by most sensible referees.
In Brief
Guest
Agree 100% - not many teams have done the same trip the Force endured - South Africa - South America- East Coast Australia - West Coast Australia. It clearly took a huge toll.
ethan
Guest
Not sure his %, but Barnes was a decent goal kicker.
Hannes
Guest
Spot on. With a good coach even mediocre players can outshine a poorly coached team of stars. NZ is miles ahead of Australia and New Zealand because they have better Superugby coaches. Look what good coaches like Ackerman and Wessels are doing with players that were unwanted. Maybe it is not player depth that is the problem, it is the coaching!
Jokerman
Roar Guru
haha classic !
Train Without A Station
Guest
another nobody. I guarantee you there won't be many kiwis who have achieved anything in rugby that think quade was one of the worst players last night. As above. You can't even name why. Because you're just a f---wit with an axe to grind.
Train Without A Station
Guest
But it wasn't a clear obstruction. The player is allowed to retreat, then turn and support the ball carrier.
Train Without A Station
Guest
How many place kickers are regularly kicking at 80% in world rugby though? There's none in Australia.
mzilikazi
Guest
That is too hard....and not true at all. Be good if you could be a bit more positive, RB.