I was lucky enough to attend the inaugural game of World Series Rugby last night between the new Western Force and Fiji A (Warriors).
Anticipation in Perth had been high following the debacle of 2017 culminating in the axing of the Force by RA, and what most West Australian rugby supporters see as the effective withdrawal of all tangible support by RA for rugby in the west.
The night didn’t disappoint. There was a real buzz from the sell-out crowd (official number 19,600). 4000 tickets had been provided at no cost to local junior rugby clubs and the numbers of kids there was fantastic.
They are the future of rugby and we forget that at our peril.
The night started off with a short set from iconic band Wolfmother. While not really my thing, they were at least enthusiastic and did their part to create a carnival atmosphere. They were followed by a light show in conjunction with about 80 local dancers (together).
I think it worked fairly well and the crowd certainly seemed to enjoy it.
Before the game started something quite exciting occurred. The Fiji Warriors made their challenge and there was a response by local Aboriginals. Finally!
Rugby Australia take note, Australia has an aboriginal culture and we can and should take the opportunity to promote it at a televised sporting event. If nothing else, doing it for me this single act showed that someone is thinking about celebrating something that is unique to Australia.
Long may it continue.
The game started off and the crowd was happy. It was reasonably fast and there were some moments of high skill and adventurous behaviour by the players. The only negative in the first 10 to 15 minutes was the loud music blaring away. The crowd was annoyed, and I am sure the players found it a bit unsettling.
Eventually, someone worked it out and the music was toned down.
From there the quality of the game fell away a bit. The players became a bit fatigued and this being the first game of the season it showed somewhat. Having said that, the physicality of both teams and the defence was fantastic.
I was sitting in the front of the upper west stand and the hits were solid and clearly audible above the noise of the crowd. I can only imagine what they felt like to the players.
In the second half, the Warriors came back and nearly had the Force. Only some very good defence and a couple of errors prevented a Fiji win. I was a bit surprised at the Force defence. It seemed to me that they played like they had been together all season rather than only a couple of weeks.
A couple of the players only arrived in Perth this week. This is either a big tick for the defence staff, the professionalism of the players or both. Either way, it was something that I was concerned about and was pleasantly surprised.
The game was played in good spirits and the crowd appreciated the fact the rugby at this level is back in the west. The crowd was knowledgeable about rugby for the most part although the new rules didn’t seem to me to change the match day tactics too much.
Maybe that will come as players get more comfortable with the risk-taking that the new “super try” rule is trying to promote. Certainly, there seemed to be a lot of goodwill and support for Fiji from people in blue which is something that I personally found gratifying.
After the game, the crowd mostly stayed behind and gave a standing ovation to both the Force and Fiji. I think the Fijians were a bit surprised, but they certainly seemed to appreciate it.
Overall, it was great to see “next level” rugby back in Perth again. With the decision by Rugby Australia to axe the Force from Super Rugby at the same time as decisions to not play any 2018 Tests in Perth and to withdraw financial support in the forms of things like subsidising junior player insurances, we sorely needed something to lift our spirits.
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
This was it.
Clearly, it is a work in progress, but it will only get better from here. Bring on Tonga next week!
Thank you to Twiggy, Hodgo and the team that put this together.
ScottD
Guest
I also agree, so I went for a beer about then
Rugby Floss
Roar Rookie
I agree. I didn't join in the Twiggy chants as it all seemed a bit cultish for my liking. The announcer definitely needs to tone it down and things need to focus back on the rugby rather than on the Twiggy worship. After all, he's not the messiah, he's a very rich boy!
RUSerious
Guest
I was at the game too and mostly agree with you. There were issues with the music being played during the game, which in my opinion ruins the atmosphere and then the game petered out in the 2nd half due to all the long injury breaks. The one thing that you didn't mention that made me a little uncomfortable was the amount of adulation that Andrew Forrest reserved for himself. The singing of happy birthday for his father at half time, the stadium announcer (who needs to tone it down generally) urging the crowd to chant Twiggy during the second half, the staged fan who had a professionally made 'screw you ARU, Thanks Twiggy' shirt being given lots of screen time. I appreciate that he is sinking his own money into this and we would have no rugby without his support, but it didn't sit right with me that someone who supposedly never wanted to own the Force and just wanted to support the game in the background was making it so much about himself. As much as I want this to succeed, I found it quite off-putting and if we are expected to worship him like that every week i'm not sure I'll be able to attend many more games.
piru
Roar Rookie
We got married the day of an AFL final - worked out well as things were cheap and neither of our families were interested
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
I made the mistake of getting married on the day of a Bledesloe game. The bulk of the reception party piled into the bar next door to watch it.
piru
Roar Rookie
I did float the idea (she's South African so you'd think it'd be an easy sell), but nope. Her dad was on board though
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
I paid $30 for a GA family pass ($5 kids. $10 Adults). I received an e-mail 4 hours later with freebies for the juniors. I can see the Haters having a field day with this approach, but given that Twiggy is heavily subsidizing a large portion of the costs, objective #1 is to (re)build the supporter and player base is succeding. Affordable tickets is a great way to start. To put things into perspective, I spent nearly $500 on my kid's rugby this year. $250 for rego and insurance, the rest on kit. These freebies help soften the blow.
Bakkies
Guest
A lot of UK reporters still label them the Natal Sharks to not confuse them with Sale Sharks. In the past they were often mentioned as the Sharks of South Africa. I don't believe the reports of Griquas and the Pumas being added. Neither would be able to recruit a large squad in such a short period of time. They are both also linked to Super Rugby sides. Roux gave them franchise status last year however the comp they were aiming for the Anglo Welsh Cup is going to be abolished.
ScottD
Roar Guru
Mate... you are on a role....... Can they get married at the game? Maybe we can arrange the minister to skydive in at half time?
ScottD
Roar Guru
One of the Perth clubs President has stated publicly that they lost 12 players from their senior team to the eastern states at the end of last year. As far as I am aware they were not members of the Western Force that went to Rebels/Brumbies/Tahs
Ex force fan
Guest
I feel for you Piru.....second week in a row.... You need a clone!
piru
Roar Rookie
My stupid friend is getting married so I won't be there
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
I don't think it's semantics to say players who aren't in a full time professional program, are not a professional team. By the looks of the players named it was a few Drua players, with the very few test locals and then players who didn't make the Drua. Deegan may be great. But playing well against that team isn't exactly evidence of it.
ScottD
Roar Guru
Excellent news!
Rugby Floss
Roar Rookie
We got our free ticket offer for the game on Sunday sent to us yesterday. I was going to get tickets today as a Mother's day present to myself, but won't knock back free tickets. Not sure how long this will continue, but it's been a very popular thing with the junior rugby clubs and all the allocated tickets have been snapped up quickly for both games.
John Ferrie
Guest
I like that suggestion Crazy Horse.
ScottD
Roar Guru
I confess I shared your fears. The proof will be if the crowds can be maintained. I understand from a friend with kids that the ticket deal for juniors is due to be modified and the free tickets to juniors will now be $10. Can anyone with kids in Perth rugby confirm that story? If true, I would think that is a bit short sighted. They way to grow is to lock in to rugby forever the kids that went to the game.
ScottD
Roar Guru
Well we all look forward to seeing you at the game this weekend mate :)
Crazy Horse
Roar Pro
It was pretty awesome to see the players front the next morning at the Juniors after a bruising encounter the night before. Mind you most of the kids were at the Force game as well.
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
Are you arguing semantics again? If you want to get pedantic, if they received a match payment from Twiggy, by definition they are Professional Rugby Players. As far as the quality of the game is concerned, they played like professionals, and that is all that should matter. If you want to argue that they aren't Fiji's "A" team, feel free, but that was the purpose: Grow Rugby in the Indo-APac Region.