Western Force
34
Match Complete
Melbourne Rebels
27
| B. Hegarty |  | 72 | ||
| J. Thrush |  | 71 | ||
| 66 |  | R. Hodge | ||
| B. Hegarty | | 64 | ||
| D. Horton | | 63 | ||
| B. Hegarty | | 50 | ||
| D. Horton | | 49 | ||
| B. Hegarty | | 41 | ||
| 36 | | R. Hodge | ||
| 35 | | B. Wilkin | ||
| B. Hegarty | | 33 | ||
| T. Robertson | | 32 | ||
| 24 | | R. Hodge | ||
| 23 | | R. Louwrens | ||
| B. Hegarty | | 22 | ||
| 16 | | R. Hodge | ||
| 15 | | C. Gordon | ||
| 1 | | R. Hodge |
| 4 | Tries | 3 | ||
| 4 | Conversions | 3 | ||
| 2 | Penalty Goals | 2 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
The last game of Super Saturday takes place in Perth where the Western Force take on the Melbourne Rebels to continue their rivalry. Join The Roar from 10:00pm (AEDT) for live coverage.
Both the Force and Rebels are coming off pre-seasons where they failed to win a game but were at least competitive in their second match of their respective trials. The Rebels were in front towards the backend of their trial against the Brumbies before Len Ikitau stole the win.
Meanwhile, the Force took on the Drua in Brisbane and managed to reel in the Drua lead in the second half before the Fijians took the win to give Simon Cron something to build on heading into the 2023 season.
This game has some added spice with newly announced Western Force captain Michael Wells taking on his former side, however, he will have one less experienced team mate to call on after another long-term foot injury to Izack Rodda.
The Rebels have named an impressive forward pack and with the addition of Alex Mafi to the front row alongside Wallabies capped props of Matt Gibbon and Sam Talakai makes for a mouth-watering matchup against the Force trio of Tom Robertson, Folau Fainga’a and Santiago Medrano.
The ever-reliable Reece Hodge heads into his last season with the Rebels and has been named at outside centre. His matchup against Sam Spink will be one to watch as the Englishman was very impressive in the Drua trial and Hodge will have his hands full keeping him quiet.
Game Information
Venue: nib Stadium, Perth
Kick-off: 10pm (AEST)
Live stream: Stan Sport
Betting: Force $1.42, Rebels $2.90 – odds via PlayUp
Teams
Force: 1. Tom Robertson 2. Folau Fainga’a 3. Santiago Medrano 4. Felix Kalapu 5. Jeremy Williams 6. Tim Anstee 7. Ollie Callan 8. Michael Wells 9. Ian Prior 10. Bryce Hegarty 11. Zach Kibirige 12. Hamish Stewart 13. Sam Spink 14. Manasa Mataele 15. Chase Tiatia
Replacements: 16. Feleti Kaitu’u 17. Angus Wagner 18. Siosifa Amone 19. TBC 20. Jackson Pugh 21. Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, 22. Bayley Kuenzle 23. Toni Pulu
Rebels: 1. Matt Gibbon 2. Alex Mafi 3. Sam Talakai 4. Josh Canham 5.Tuaina Taii Tualima 6. Josh Kemeny 7. Brad Wilkin (c) 8. Richard Hardwick 9. Ryan Louwrens 10. Carter Gordon 11. Monty Ioane 12. Stacey Ili 13. Reece Hodge 14. Lachlan Anderson 15. Nick Jooste
Replacements: 16. Jordan Uelese 17. Isaac Kailea 18. Pone Fa’amausili 19. Trevor Hosea 20. Tamati Ioane 21. Vaiolini Ekusai 22. James Tuttle 23. Lukas Ripley
Referee: Damon Murphy
AAA’s Bloody Ear
Guest
Force look decent. Some smart rugby heads on the fields which make the difference. Wells, Stewart, Hegarty, Fines good rugby brains and good hands. Anstee playing well too, big motor. Passionate team too. Rebels just don’t seem to care enough at times, talent is there but look like they are going through the motions sometimes. Maybe just not a winning culture. Carter Gordon is a good ten, very skilled. Probably has more subtle skills than many of the other oz tens that get talked up, but not as physical. A more pure ten. Has the full tool kit distribution wise though, be interesting to see if he can step up over the season.
Rhys
Roar Rookie
I really rate Cron, reckon he can do a lot with the side. But fingers crossed no more injuries please!
ScottD
Roar Guru
Williams and Kalupu looked good in the 2nd row last night. They with Pugh need to carry the load this year. Even with Thrush backing them up the loss of Rodda and McCauley will be impossible to get over fully and the Force will struggle to win their lineout ball against the better teams
ScottD
Roar Guru
Rodda with his foot injury and McCauley injured his shoulder during the pre season games too. They are our two best locks imo so a real double blow to the Force. Thrush was a sugar hit but he struggled last season and is definitely only a bench player for us this season ( a pretty good bench player though).
Jezdexter
Roar Rookie
There were punishable actions in the game Murph didn't use his whistle for? I demand a replay. He could have got more than 50 penalties in if he'd looked a bit harder.
piru
Roar Rookie
Yep and meanwhile, even if not wrapped, the ball carrier is held. Guy's an absolute clown
piru
Roar Rookie
Thrush is the locks coach, of course he knows the moves.
Faith
Roar Rookie
Was not applying new 30 sec scrum rules. With kicks he was only deciding much much later after team's decision to go for three pts.
Reframe
Roar Rookie
Hmmm .... just because he is not overrated here does not mean that he is not overrated. It is a matter of opinion and looking at what he adds as a player, in not just the ability to kick a ball. At this level I have yet to be convinced, but that is my view.
Cannonball
Roar Rookie
I’ve always liked Hodgey, so I’m a bit one eyed about his failings. Don’t think he’s overrated here on the Roar :stoked:
piru
Roar Rookie
Your tears are delicious, sad little man that you are.
ols
Roar Pro
A double for the Force. Force W won a thriller as well.
piru
Roar Rookie
Force defence looked decent to me, if they can keep that up, minimise the penalties and add a bit of variety in attack I'll be happy
ols
Roar Pro
His whistle is like torture. Make it stop, make it stop :shocked:
Reframe
Roar Rookie
Cannonball, Lol ... and you are surprised by this how? He can kick the ball ... that is it. Period. Grossly overrated imho. So .... he is just playing his usual game. There has to be better players available than him ... surely?
piru
Roar Rookie
Was 11 - 12 near the end, not sure of the final. Let no one say Murphy doesn't give the people what they want
Ali777
Guest
:stoked: WELL DONE FORCE PLAYERS ! So PROUD of you all ????
ols
Roar Pro
Thanks Steve
Cannonball
Roar Rookie
I don’t appreciate your balanced view on the game…completely unacceptable!
Nobody
Roar Rookie
Please, o’mighty Murphinator, have mercy on us puny roarers