Western Force
20
Match Complete
Rebels
25
| 81 |  | I. Naisarani | ||
| J. Lance |  | 63 | ||
| 60 |  | M. Toomua | ||
| 59 | | M. Philip | ||
| J. Lance | | 57 | ||
| B. Ralston | | 56 | ||
| 52 | | M. Toomua | ||
| 43 | | R. Hodge | ||
| 31 | | M. Toomua | ||
| 29 | | J. Uelese | ||
| J. Lance | | 27 | ||
| F. Lee-Warner | | 26 | ||
| J. Lance | | 11 |
| 2 | Tries | 3 | ||
| 2 | Conversions | 2 | ||
| 2 | Penalty Goals | 2 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
The Western Force will be eyeing off a chance to notch their first Super Rugby AU win against the Melbourne Rebels at Leichhardt Oval tonight. Join The Roar for live scores from 7:05pm (AEST).
The Force have been far more admirable performers in their three games to date than their winless record suggests. While they were comprehensively shut out last week against the Brumbies, they pushed the Reds and Waratahs all the way to full-time in the previous two rounds and the Rebels will have to be wary about falling victim to an upset win.
Dave Wessels’ Melbourne side hit their groove last week to stay in touch with the finals places with a clinical win over the Tahs. It wasn’t flashy, but the stringent defence was a promising sign for Wessels’ side.
Unfortunately for the Melbournians, they’ll have to make do without skipper and former Force fullback Dane Haylett-Patty, who’s out injured. There’s some better news at the back of the scrum with Isi Naisarani returning to the side, while lock Matt Philip will come off the bench.
Tim Sampson has unveiled a new-look midfield pairing of two former Test players, with Kiwi Richard Kahui lining up alongside Kyle Godwin in the centres. The Force also welcome back regular skipper Ian Prior at halfback.
Game information
Kick-off: 7:05pm (AEST)
Venue: Leichhardt Oval
TV: Fox Sports
Live stream: Kayo Sports, Foxtel
Teams
Force
1. Chris Heiberg, 2. Feleti Kaitu’u, 3. Kieran Longbottom, 4. Jeremy Thrush, 5. Fergus Lee-Warner, 6. Henry Stowers, 7. Tevin Ferris, 8. Brynard Stander, 9. Ian Prior (c), 10. Jono Lance, 11. Marcel Brache, 12. Richard Kahui, 13. Kyle Godwin, 14. Byron Ralston, 15. Jack McGregor
Bench: 16. Andrew Ready, 17. Pek Cowan, 18. Tom Sheminant, 19. Johan Bardoul, 20. Ollie Callan, 21. Nick Frisby, 22. Henry Taefu, 23. Brad Lacey
Rebels
1. Cameron Orr, 2. Jordan Uelese, 3. Jermaine Ainsley, 4. Esei Ha’angana, 5. Trevor Hosea, 6. Michael Wells, 7. Richard Hardwick, 8. Isi Naisarani, 9. Ryan Louwrens, 10. Matt To’omua, 11. Marika Koroibete, 12. Billy Meakes, 13. Andrew Kellaway, 14. Tom Pincus, 15. Reece Hodge
Bench: 16. Efi Ma’afu, 17. Cabous Elouff, 18. Pone Fa’amausili, 19. Matt Philip, 20. Rob Leota, 21. Brad Wilkin, 22. Frank Lomani, 23. Andrew Deegan
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
I’m basing it on rugby.com.au and espn. Rugby.com.au has been revised since Friday and aligns with ESPN now. They have: Thrush - 5 tackles and 2 runs Lee-Warner - 17 tackles and 13 runs Stowers - 18 tackles and 12 runs Stander - 9 tackles and 7 runs Callan - 15 tackles and 1 run Must have hit a lot of rucks to make up that work rate because it certainly wasn’t in any of the measure statistics. Not in the context what the rest of the team did. Even 2 of the starting front rowers and 1 replacement made more tackles than him (Ka’aitu - 8, Longbottom - 7 and Cowan - 9). Guess you’re right and the people who compile the statistics for a living must be wrong. Definitely believe somebody who’s using his own version of event to prove his point over an independent party that compiles statistics...
Waxhead
Roar Rookie
Thrush has easily been the Force best player imo due to high work rate, excellent tackling, effective ruck cleanouts, lineout wins, leadership and mongrel. Don't know where you get your alleged stats from TWAS but I saw Thrush make at least 10 excellent tackles against the Rebels. I stand corrected he did make 11 appearances for the All Blacks 2013-15 as a bench player. He was a great player for the Hurricanes and would obviously still be there if he thought he was good enough to get a contract in NZ.
pm
Roar Rookie
Any word on Tevin Ferris? just googled it then for an update, but nothing recent on there
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Thrush isn’t even the Force’s best lock. Lee-Warner, Stowers, Stander and Ferris have easily been the best forwards with Wagner and the hooker up there too. Shows how much you pay attention. Tell us what part of Thrush’s play has been most compelling? Also he played something like half a dozen tests for the All Blacks.
Guess
Roar Rookie
I'd rather watch chiefs vs force than crusaders vs brumbies :silly:
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
Not sure Thrush is the best player. He may be the moustachioed talisman but there are better players. It was always thus for him though. The Force are well coached though. They’re getting great effort from a side of older guys and blokes stepping up for the first time
Guess
Roar Rookie
What I hope to see are what all fans want – entertainment I saw it. My requirements differ from yours though
Guess
Roar Rookie
I want the force to win and I really like the team but can't go against the tahs. They need a win too. For the growth :silly: Good to know you'll be supporting the force :thumbup:
Guess
Roar Rookie
Not as much
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
I don’t argue your point that Wessels has failed to improve his side or many individuals in it. His bubble has well and truly burst
Double Agent
Guest
Reminds me of the Bloodhound Gang song: "We can do it doggy style so we can both watch x-files" :laughing:
Olly
Roar Rookie
What can I say, I am a sucker for the opposite sex which unfortunately does not have a pause button....
Rhys
Roar Rookie
I can think of something sillier, paying for a tahs membership
Waxhead
Roar Rookie
@ozinsa I don't have high expectations of any aussie derby game now. We've had 5 seasons of almost non stop rubbish. What I hope to see are what all fans want - entertainment. That requires high skills levels, minimum of unforced errors, good discipline, outstanding athleticism, smart attacking tactics, excellent execution, pride and passion in their jerseys. That was all missing in this Force v Rebels rubbish last night and most of the SR AU season so far. Force captain J Trush is a 35 yr old Kiwi who had a distinguished career at the Hurricanes but was never good enough to be an AB. It's a joke he's now the Force's best player. As much as I admire Jeremy he wouldn't even be in the squads of any of the 5 NZ provinces now. And with the player roster the Rebels have why are they consistently so poor and error ridden. Bad coaching is the only reason I can think of. Can only hope Brumbies/Reds put on a better show tonight :unhappy:
Double Agent
Guest
True. But it's not extra time. It's super time.
Drew
Roar Rookie
Lee-Warner has looked good running around in the NRC the last couple of years for both the Force and Rams. Always put in a decent performance. I'll miss that comp if it doesn't return, great chance to see some of the talent at a higher level than club. I know it never garnered the spectator interest but as a pathway and for us rusted on Rugby fans it was great.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Well he’s doing a horrible job. Pointless warnings to teams when he doesn’t go through with them. Questionable penalties against both teams. Would be better viewing if he didn’t call those questionable penalties. Tuck penalties against Ralston and Meakes are 2 examples.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
I’d say the Kiwi sides definitely play smarter but the Aus sides have all been incredibly physical and strong in the forwards. Let’s hope Rennie crafts a game plan around this instead of Cheika completely ignoring what teams were doing well in his game plan.
Rico
Guest
Horrible Horrible Ending that is, but im a force fan
Waxhead
Roar Rookie
@TWAS Am I not allowed to watch the game I love hoping for a good quality game in Australia? If aussie games continue to be this bad I will only watch the NZ games and become a Hurricanes fan. During last nights rubbish I had 3 aussie mates text me saying this Force-Rebels game was so bad they turned it off in 2nd half. They did same thing last week in the rubbish NSW v Rebels game. And also the NSW v Force game before that. Aust Rugby continues to lose fans every week.