The Western Force’s finals hopes have suffered a gigantic blow after being hammered 48-13 by the Crusaders in Christchurch.
After going down against the Chiefs last week in a New Zealand classic, the Crusaders flexed their muscles and responded in the most dominating fashion against the Force.
The Crusaders scored eight tries to the Force’s one, with the home side’s scrum and rolling maul completely dismantling their opponents.
Such was the Crusaders’ dominance in the set-piece that Force loose-head prop Charlie Hancock was replaced after just 28 minutes.
While Marley Pearce’s introduction slightly helped, it was barely obvious as All Blacks prop Joe Moody went to work alongside emerging star Tamaiti Williams.
Their set-piece dominance led to Brodie McAlister scoring a hat-trick in his 52-minute showing.
The Force never stopped trying, but they were simply smashed up front and never stood a chance running the ball back into the teeth of the defence.
“As cliched as it sounds, we were outclassed in every facet of the game and the scoreline shows that,” captain Michael Wells said.
Wells, the industrious back-rower, said the Force’s defence let them down, but it started with their struggles at the scrum which fed into the defensive lineout and maul.
“Obviously our defence went wrong,” he said.
“If you’re defending all game and not attacking until 60, you’re not forcing turnovers, letting them dominate territory.
“Twenty minutes to attack against a team like the Crusaders isn’t enough to win a game or be competitive.”
Brodie McAlister scored a hat-trick off the back of a dominate set-piece against the Western Force in Christchurch. Photo: Peter Meecham/Getty Images)
After blowing opportunities in the first half last week against a rampant Chiefs and then being put to the sword in the second half, Crusaders skipper Scott Barrett was a much happier figure enjoying the final stages of the match from the bench.
Barrett said they reaped the rewards after going to work throughout the week, where they placed stronger emphasis over their set-piece.
“We talk about working on our habits that flows into our game,” he said. “Regardless of who we’re playing each week we’re trying to keep getting better and that starts on the training park.
“We probably didn’t get it right (last week) and it cost us vital points. A lot of the conversations this week were just about managing and working to our strengths at set-piece.”
All Blacks star Will Jordan made a successful return after a long stint on the sidelines as he made his way back slowly from concussion symptoms.
Jordan’s silky skills were on display during a 56-minute.
“It’s awesome to see Will back out on our side,” Barrett said. “He’s been ripping us up in training for the past month.”
The Force can only hope that some of their key players return.
Disseminated by injury, the Force are missing Test front-rowers Tom Robertson, Folau Fainga’a and Izack Rodda.
Other key players Ollie Callan, Bryce Hegarty, Bayley Kuenzle and Jake Strachan are also sidelined.
It led to Max Burey being called up from the Shute Shield to wear the No.10 jersey on debut.
The 24-year-old played well with terribly slow ball and no gain line advantage while his kicking was a real feature, particularly from the tee.
But against the Crusaders you’ve got to win up front and the Force certainly didn’t.
Leicester Fainga’anuku had a happy night out against the Western Force at Orangetheory Stadium, on May 06, 2023, in Christchurch. Photo: Peter Meecham/Getty Images
After taking a 6-5 early lead after two penalties to Burey, the Crusaders scored 45 unanswered points.
McAlister had his second in the 24th minute but it didn’t take long for the tries to rain.
Leicester Fainga’anuku scored the home side’s second three minutes later before Macca Springer grabbed one himself on the stroke of half time.
But it was in the opening 20 minutes of the second half that the wheels fell off as McAlister grabbed his third and Fainga’anuku and Springer their second tries each.
Jackson Pugh finally got one back for the Force in the 67th minute but all it did was show their fight and allow them to break into double figures.
The victory saw the Crusaders climb into second spot while the Force are languishing second last on 13 points, four points outside the top eight.
Ucnthandlethtruth
Roar Rookie
Fluke
Rocky's Rules
Roar Rookie
@Piru You have to include the Force's 1st coming so in fact it's been 15 years :thumbup:
TJ-Go Force!
Roar Rookie
You realise we have one of best academies in Oz. We had multiple players against crusaders who graduated from the academy
GusTee
Roar Pro
TJ – I liked Sampson’s loyalty and on that basis alone I was sad to see him go. But, to be blunt, over his 36 game tally dating from 11.07.2020, the Force only won 8 (22%). With Cron, the Force are 3 from 10 (30%). Cron and the team are still in learning mode and its squad is far from settled. So lets look positively to the future. Saturday against the Crusaders was a debacle and whatever the game plan was, the Force just didn’t even get to first base, so they had no chance to execute it. Sometimes S@!T happens – especially against a “well coached” team that makes an art form out of bending the rules!
Bliksem
Roar Rookie
I remember that the whole 2017 team was prepared to resign for 2018 at the same pay as 2017. Unfortunate they didn’t get the opportunity just when it looked like things have turned around.
GusTee
Roar Pro
"The Force squad of foreign mercenaries" Rocky: 37 players have represented The Force in 2023. 24 of them are Aussies. The important fact is that each week of SRP, 24 Aussies, who don't have a place elsewhere in Australia, get to play at an elite level. Oh, and by the way, of the other "Aussie" teams of 2023, the foreign national player lists include: Brumbies - 10; Reds - 9; Tahs - 8 and Rebels - 12. :shocked:
piru
Roar Rookie
Well what do you want? Instant competitiveness or development of local players? We could put a team of locals out this week, we might compete but it's unlikely, all our top local talent left in 2016/17. Personally I'd be quite happy to support a scrappy team of locals, but how long would we be allowed to do that? Not long I'm guessing. Every time we lose a game now some genius starts wondering if we should be cut.
Bliksem
Roar Rookie
Our best side beat the best Crusader side in Perth. It is a totally different prospect in Christchurch where no Aussie side have a good record.
Bliksem
Roar Rookie
What I don’t appreciate are the accusations directed at us by the very states that forced us into this position, as if it’s something we’ve done or failed to do and are to be held responsible for their short sightedness You could add that is was their mistake that got us into this position but they are not prepared to give up anything to undo the damage their mistake caused.
Rocky's Rules
Roar Rookie
@Possum Yes Force have a lot of NZ provincial and club level players. I said here before the 2nd coming of The Force return to SR that .... given their big limitations in lack of local talent and the restrictive salary cap that... a) Being a squad of foreign mercenaries does nothing for development of local players. b) Force will never be competitive in SR with the restrictions placed on their recruiting. c) Given the above the best comp for them was to join the NZ NPC. They'd probably be competitive there. 3 years on a) and b) is exactly what's hapenned so I'll say .... I told you so :laughing:
piru
Roar Rookie
We don't really need a wizzbang tactical coach. Just someone who can get everyone meshed in and committed to each other. I reckon we need to build the siege mentality, the way the Springboks do, everyone east of Eyre is out to get us. The fans already have it
piru
Roar Rookie
I wouldn't say there was a lot of turnover as compared to the rest of the teams. I couldn't point to a figure, but it's possible players not from Perth were less likely to stay as long as they might in eastern teams (if your family is in NSW it's a lot shorter trip from ACT or Vic I suppose). Someone may be able to prove me wrong, but my impression was always that some players came here, loved it and wanted to stay and some didn't and moved on. Surely that's the same everywhere for players from other regions. The academy is working at full noise right now now and we're getting back up to speed, local guys are coming through and improving. Really, what we need now is a bit of time and a bit of faith from the fans. I daresay if you gutted any state's professional Rugby setup they'd take a wee while to recover. *Apologies if I come across as snarky above, was not my intention but I know I can get my back up in defence of WA
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Hopefully in the coming weeks leading up to the finals Tim, we’ll see a few teams having injured personnel returning. The Saders will only get better with the likes of Blackadder, Goodhue, & their likes boosting the team. As was noticed with how good Will Jordan was, with his first game back. He looked really sharp, playing in his rightful position. My Landers have some returning but IMO, our coach Dermody is making some strange selections.
TJ-Go Force!
Roar Rookie
Would have thought Rebels performance today was evidence enough they’re not far away at all.
TJ-Go Force!
Roar Rookie
Andy the Force are producing nearly as many local players now than any franchise. Our academy is one of the best in the country. Evidence last night by Marley and Jackson, probably our two best forwards. Both locals and came off the bench. They both should start - selection is another issue with Cron for another day.
TJ-Go Force!
Roar Rookie
Great post
TJ-Go Force!
Roar Rookie
Yeah good post. Fingers crossed we do another tour of Japan then and build some continuity. But if we can’t have continuity at this time of the season, does make me worry about the coaching. I like Cron for his recruiting ability, but not seen the coaching prowess yet.
AndyS
Roar Rookie
I hope you are right, but by my recollection there was always a lot of turnover in the Force list even prior to 2017, leaving them always building/rebuilding and playing a relatively generic, low risk/reward game plan. As I say, not necessarily a failing or fault, perhaps more a reflection of the rugby environment in which they were trying to establish a team. A problem that only seems to be getting harder, with the direction in which modern professionalism is heading. Perhaps the additional games will help; certainly they can’t hurt. But something needs to be found to address that continuity, as the actual Barbarians probably show how hard it is to get consistent results with a constantly changing line-up, even with many of the best in the world to choose from. What that something might be the way the contracting game is currently played though, it’s hard to see.
piru
Roar Rookie
Yes we could. We’ve done it before
piru
Roar Rookie
With respect, I don't think three years is enough of a sample size to say we're "always" rebuilding relationships. We had the core of a strong team and were bringing new local guys in as we could, that was taken from us and those players were sprinkled over the other sides or sent offshore. In short, a period of struggle as we reasserted ourselves was inevitable, it's the harvest of the crop sown with that decision. I'm fine with this, and am willing to walk the long road, bumps and all to get back to where we were and beyond. What I don't appreciate are the accusations directed at us by the very states that forced us into this position, as if it's something we've done or failed to do and are to be held responsible for their short sightedness. Leave us be and we will continue to grow.