Friday night’s game between the Reds and the recently re-instated Western Force featured exhilarating, end-to-end, running rugby.
Both teams took advantage of opportunities afforded by the favourable weather conditions by consistently getting the ball wide and relying on their backs’ set-piece plays to grant them results.
And did they ever! By halftime, 40 points had been scored by both sides with 51 points coming throughout the entire game.
Despite falling short, the Force proved themselves an admirable opponent who demonstrated their ability in engineering dazzling pieces of rugby, while also slogging it out defensively so that they stayed in the game until the siren sounded.
This was in part thanks to their field general, Jono Lance. Unfortunately, Lance’s game may only be remembered for having his calamitous goal attempt directly in front of the posts charged down.
Nevertheless, the 29-year-old demonstrated an expert ability in leading his fellow teammates by stringing together momentum-based phases play after play, which produced thrilling, spectator-friendly rugby.
(Photo by Steve Haag/Gallo Images/Getty Images)
Furthermore, his mountainous defensive efforts, which involved executing tackles both around the ruck, out wide and at one point saving an almost guaranteed try, ensured his team were always a chance to come away with the win.
The fact that Lance is home in Australia and again assuming the extremely important role of field general for the Western Force must be quite surreal considering his pre-COVID plans were completely different. It was only back in May that he announced his signing with the PRO14 side, Edinburgh, after a three-year stint playing for the Worcester Warriors in the English Premiership. Due to the circumstances surrounding COVID-19, his visa was refused and the move collapsed for reasons surrounding the requirement of playing 75 per cent of his games being unachievable at the club.
With his Scottish rugby dreams crushed, Lance landed on his feet having been lured to his old stomping ground to compete in the newly formed Super Rugby AU competition. There is no doubt Lance is surprised to be back in Australia playing rugby let alone for his old team, the Force, who were axed from Super Rugby in 2017.
As demonstrated in his first showings for the club, he has certainly seized the opportunity and would not be ruling out a chance to potentially gain representative honours. It would surely be a fairy-tale ending if his dreams of representing Australia and playing for the Wallabies were to come to fruition.
Having shown his rugby prowess in his first couple of Super Rugby AU games and proved his willingness to fight for his team, the matches to follow are exceedingly important if he is to stamp his name in Dave Rennie’s squad.
With his international experience and involvement with title-winning teams, he possesses invaluable expertise that deserves praise and recognition.
While Lance’s potential inclusion in the Wallabies squad may be wishful thinking, the chance to pursue a lifelong Wallaby dream has certainly fuelled a fire within as shown on the field.
I’m intrigued to see what else Jono Lance has to offer Australian rugby and its fans.
MitchO
Guest
Ralston from Qld. Google him mate. He's a kid with talent. You only don't know him coz he's young but I think he's another one from the 20s setup.
MitchO
Guest
Foley wasn't a great 10 but I think he was test level. If he had a better coach and a JOC or Toomua at 12 to help him kick and pass he'd have looked better. There were times when the Foley/Beale show did look good. Good to have Lance throw his hat into the ring. At least if JOC plays 12 he's had alot of experience there but we are still in danger of picking someone out of position in a test match. Is Powell still the back up 9 to White?
pm
Roar Rookie
I'd like to think Rennie would give Karmichael Hunt a look at 12. He's been good both ways most of the time he's played this year and last, from what I've seen. He and TK at 12, 13 is a nice look for defensive smarts, hard and straight running lines, helping out forwards at the breakdown. You'd want real ball players at 14, 15 and ideally 11 too, but that can be worked out
Olly
Roar Rookie
That was the blues minus Barrett and that was also standing out in the Tahs that achieved the worst lossing record in the past 25 years. They only won 1 game plus the Brumbies putting 47 points on them, Chiefs 50+, Crusaders flogging and a dust up by the Rebels. I am confident that Harrison does not brag about this...
Double Agent
Guest
It's all News Ltd's fault.
Double Agent
Guest
Harrison played against the Blues and was one of if not the Tahs best player. Btw remember how we were all so devastated after that loss? Turns out the Blues are actually a very good side.
Double Agent
Guest
Earlier in the year it was odds on that it would be Toomua 10 JOC 12. But it's all up in the air now.
pm
Roar Rookie
Waxhead, there's no one here who'd think the Aussie S.R is at the same level as NZ S.R; don't think so anyway. We all know we're in a very tough spot funding and audience-wise and it seems more like enthusiasm and positivity than overhyping in this context.
Double Agent
Guest
He's built like a Fat Heap!
Double Agent
Guest
Yeah I don't agree with much of that.
Trebla
Roar Rookie
Those flat passes by Lance said a lot for me. No other 10 in Australia is doing that. The back line looked threatening whenever he straightened and threw a flat pass to a runner. I think the best Wallaby back line has JOC at 12, so I would not rule out Lance as the first pick 10.
Kick n Clap
Guest
Scott D, You don’t get brutal tackling in Super Yawion. Period. “The current guy’s couldn’t stop a Draft”. Fact.????????
Kick n Clap
Guest
He was that good at the The Farce they called him the “Turnstile.”
Olly
Roar Rookie
And again, we have better 13s then JOC
Olly
Roar Rookie
JOC with his car tyre around his gut??? Guys over eating to hold weight. 13 is not more physical in attack, there is space at 13 and 12 runs at a solid wall of loose forwards.
jameswm
Roar Guru
Sorry, I wouldn’t have Lance in the train on squad
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
Haha, if you have a better 10, then you should do more with it. The problem is that JOC didn’t really. Carter usually time had the best pack, but he also did the most with it.
PeterK
Roar Guru
then Harrison should always be rated the best since the tahs have the weakest pack :laughing:
ScottD
Roar Guru
When he was at the Force previously, he was a bit injury prone. Some of his tackling against bigger guys was brutal but left him worse off. Shoulder and rib injuries weren't uncommon from memory.
ols
Roar Pro
All anybody wants is consistency. Must be frustrating for the players