World Series Rugby in its current form wraps up tonight, as the Western Force take on Japan Top League winners, the Wild Knights. Join The Roar for live scores and the blog of the game from 8:30pm AEST.
The series has been an overall success, with some serious attacking play countered by some blowout scores, and law changes struggling to make an impact.
Looking forward, an eight team comp is expected to take place from next year onwards, with an announcement about the make-up of the tournament thought to happen after tonight’s game.
Firstly, the Wild Knights.
The visitors won three consecutive Top League titles from the 2013-14 season to 2015-16, and was the first team to make it through undefeated.
These days, their team is loaded with Australian players, as no less than four Aussies make up their starting XV vs the Force, with Berrick Barnes, Daniel Heenan, Jack Cornelson and Ben Gunter running on for the visitors.
The Force named a few changes to play this one- Andrew Deegan the main one, knocking Peter Grant back to the bench – while Harrison Loyd takes over from Markus Vanzati, Feliti Kaitu comes onto the bench for Harry Scoble.
The only teams to beat the Force this series were the two “proper” teams, if you like, whereas the scrambled together XVs struggled.
The Wild Knights, as a professional team fall into the first category, and have a fair chance of beating the Westerners.
This should be a close, tough game, and there’s no reason why either team can’t win this clash. I’d say the Force have left the best till last with this game, and it’ll likely be a good encounter,
Wild Knights have to counter the home advantage of the Force, but the visitors should get the job done.
Join The Roar for live scores and the blog of the game from 8:30pm AEST.
ForceFan
Roar Rookie
Couple of very happy blokes.... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arzNYiyUy4w&t=127s
ForceFan
Roar Rookie
Absolute cracker of a game. Perhaps a hint of things to come for WSR. Great to have a HD match replay available so quickly. This game was shown live on JSports. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGEvzuM4XKM&t=4230s
Another Mike
Guest
Great point about the TMO. Refs are forgetting how to make decisions. And the TMO will often make a controversial decision anyway so it doesn't solve anything.
Mike
Guest
Great point about the TMO. Refs are forgetting how to make decisions. And the TMO will often make a controversial decision anyway so it doesn't solve anything.
andrewM
Guest
That was a fun game to watch. Those people who said that WSR will be made up of Micky Mouse teams should be eating their words about now..especially after Twiggy talking about Western Sydney.
Bob
Guest
Was at the game , good crowd , good atmosphere, definitely enjoyed the $7 dollar beers on tap. Can't wait for next year with each game being played for competition points. Looks like that Japanese teams will be up to scratch, Hk and some of the other team will need some top up players provided by the World Series Rugby team. Should be good. Round
robel
Roar Pro
Thanks Tom, it was a really enjoyable game. Bring on the WSR next year.
Tom English
Roar Guru
Cheers mate!
Working Class Rugger
Guest
Both teams turned up to play open and expansive Rugby and that's what we got. I think I counted just 3 scrums in the 2nd half. It hummed along at a great pace all the way through. Something of note. This is the 2nd game in the last 2 or 3 weeks I've watched (the other being the Wallabies/Super trial) that didn't feature a TMO. Both games as above flowed and the refs made quick and decisive decisions. Food for thought there. Not necessarily the elimination of the TMO but a move away from their active involvement in the game and more toward use for citing purposes. Anyway. looking forward to seeing more details of this WS team. If it's done right I'll be keen to go out to games.
Ex force fan
Guest
The most entertaining game I watched this year. Defense was not as good but the tries were spectacular. WSR has the recipe to get crowds to games as almost 15,000 turned up again
sittingbison
Guest
Thanks Tom, really good calling each game
Tom English
Roar Guru
Full match report A penalty goal started the game for the visitors, as Berrick Barnes knocked it over from 40 metres to put the Wild Knights in the lead. It didn’t take the Force too long to hit back, as Ian Prior found Marcel Brache for a crash ball under the posts, putting them back in the lead, 7-3. You can never rule out a team like the Panasonic Wild Knights as they scored only the second ever Power Try of World Series Rugby, with patient phase play in centrefield, before a crossfield kick found Kukuoka who raced away to the corner. The lead was barely ever theirs though, with a knockback from the kickoff leading to a kick through which Jack McGregor dived on for the narrow 14-12 lead. The Wild Knights went pretty directly to the corner, upon receiving a penalty, before driving their maul over for the lead, 19-14. Brynard Stander barged through a relatively weak tackle for a score, gifting his side a slim 21-19 lead. As was the story of the night, teams didn’t hold onto leads for very long, with the Wild Knights making a backline move off their scrum, with Matsuda finding Yamada, who sent it back on the inside for a try to Uchida. Shota Horie flipped the game on its head with a another rolling maul try just before the break, putting the Wild Knights out to a 12 point buffer at the break. Harrison Orr started the second half off on a positive note, as he barged through a couple of Wild Knights players, before offloading to Marcel Brache for the five pointer, which put them back in the contest. If tit-for-tat scoring epitomised the night, patient buildups came a close second as Brad Lacey touched down out wide, putting his side back level with half an hour left. It took about 3 minutes, and the craziest of bounces, for the Force to score again, when a kick bounced dramatically back infield and into the hands of Tevin Ferris, who dotted down, bringing the Force up to 40 points. The next scoring play was a Jeremy Thrush try, from the very bottom of a ruck, eventually having too much power for the defenders, while Andrew Deegan’s kicking lived up to it, for a 47-33 scoreline. Former Sunwolves player, Akihito Yamada made a break in the lead up to Craig Millar’s try, setting it all up for the big man to just dive over. The Panasonic Wild Knights scored again from there however, with Jack Cornelson breaking through and feeding it to Tayuka Yamasawa who scored the visitors’ last try. As the siren went, the Wild Knights went right to the sideline via Matsuda, who was tackled into touch as the last play of the game, ending a vastly entertaining match, and wrapping up a great series of rugby. Thanks for joining me here on The Roar for a great game of rugby, and for the three times I've been with you this series. I've enjoyed it a lot, and I look forward to next year's competition which, as we found out tonight, will include a Western Sydney team. Plenty more rugby coming this weekend on The Roar, seeya tomorrow at 5:15pm for Wallaroos v Black Ferns.
sittingbison
Guest
I'll say what I like Damo...yup you nailed it. From the pre game to game to half time show, everything was entertaining. The crowd was happy and enthusiastic, applauded both teams scores, kids were having a ball. Game itself was a cracker played with spirit in the right spirit. I was actually a tad disappointed when Prior went the penalty kick at 75min. I hope Berrick Barnes is ok, stretchered off with I think a leg injury This game showed what is possible next year. Bring it on. Sayonara Superseded Rugby.
Damo
Guest
Say what you want about WSR but that was probably the most entertaining game of rugby I've watched all year. Not because of the high scoring but teams prepared to throw the ball around and not kick it away at every opportunity.
Tom English
Roar Guru
Full Time 80' - Wild Knights being very cautious here. Ruck after ruck. Siren's gotta come soon. Out they go to Matsuda- who is tackled into touch!! That's the game, and the Force are pretty hyped, let me tell you! Western Force: 50 Panasonic Wild Knights: 45
Tom English
Roar Guru
80' - Wild Knights being very cautious here. Ruck after ruck. Siren's gotta come soon. Western Force: 50 Panasonic Wild Knights: 45
Tom English
Roar Guru
79' - Two minutes left, lineout will take place on the 22. They come away with it, but knocked on. Kicked down field by the Force- dunno how smart that was, as now the PWK have it back. 30 odd metres out. Western Force: 50 Panasonic Wild Knights: 45
Tom English
Roar Guru
78' - Wild Knights really want this win, now they have it their own side of the half. They spread it wide, to their winger, and now have an advantage. They're doing it in inches. Penalty now. Western Force: 50 Panasonic Wild Knights: 45
Tom English
Roar Guru
74' - Ian Prior will have a crack at goal, looking to bring up the Force's 50. 40 out- yes it's successful! Western Force: 50 Panasonic Wild Knights: 45
Tom English
Roar Guru
73' - Penalty Force, from the scrum. Western Force: 47 Panasonic Wild Knights: 45