The Western Force formally begin their Rapid Rugby Showcase tonight when they host the South China Tigers at HBF Park in Perth. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 7:40pm local time, 10:40pm AEDT.
The Force picked up a 10-point win over a ‘World XV’ last week in what was essentially a warm-up game for their Rapid Rugby Showcase, which starts tonight.
The Showcase has the Force set up for eight fixtures against Asian teams where they’ll play matches both home and away over the next three months.
They have another game in Perth two weeks from now, but then will travel through Singapore, Hong Kong and Fiji for their next three matches after that before returning to Perth in late May.
Tonight’s opponents, the South China Tigers, are a Hong Kong-based team launched last year specifically for the purpose of competing in Global Rapid Rugby.
The Showcase provides a crucial testing ground for the ‘Rapid Rugby’ concept which Andrew Forrest no doubt hopes will evolve into a complete competition – rather than a mere ‘showcase’ – in the near future.
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match between the Western Force and the South China Tigers at HBF Park on Friday night, starting from 7:40pm local time, 10:40pm AEDT.
Where: HBF Park
When: 10:40pm AEDT
TV: SBS
Western Force
1. Harrison LLOYD, 2. Andrew READY, 3. Kieran LONGBOTTOM, 4. Leon POWER, 5. Jeremy THRUSH, 6. Henry STOWERS, 7. Chris ALCOCK, 8. Brynard STANDER, 9. Ian PRIOR, 10. Andrew DEEGAN, 11. Brad LACEY, 12. Rodney IONA, 13. Henry TAEFU, 14. Masivesi DAKUWAQA, 15. Jack MCGREGOR
Reserves: 16. Feleti KAITU’U, 17. Cameron ORR, 18. Tom SHEMINANT, 19. Johan BARDOUL, 20. Tevin FERRIS, 21. Isaak FINES, 22. AJ ALATIMU, 23. Clay UYEN.
South China Tigers
1. Tau KOLOMATANGI, 2. Alexander POST, 3. Grant KEMP, 4. Fin FIELD, 5. Callum MCCULLOUGH, 6. James CUNNINGHAM, 7. Josh DOWSING, 8. Josh HRSTICH, 9. Bryn PHILLIPS, 10. Glyn HUGHES, 11. Ma CHONG, 12. Matthew ROSSLEE, 13. Lewis WARNER, 14. Tom VARNDELL, 15. Nathan De THIERRY
Reserves: 16. Mitch ANDREWS, 17. Callum MCFEAT SMITH, 18. Jack PARFITT, 19. Michael PARFITT, 20. James SAWYER, 21. Ruan Du PLOOY, 22. Tom HILL, 23. Samisoni NASAGAVESI
ForceFan
Roar Rookie
Reasonable crowd for a big weekend of sport in Perth. * Opening round of Club Rugby next morning. * WC Eagles playing GWS * Perth Glory playing Melbourne Victory
ForceFan
Roar Rookie
Pre-game entertainment at the Force Field (HBF Park)
ForceFan
Roar Rookie
Post game press conference from Tim Sampson and Ian Prior
ForceFan
Roar Rookie
Some highglights from the game against South China Tigers
Jim the Geo
Roar Rookie
Thanks robel! Yes - the atmosphere at the games is always top-notch. Let's hope interest in GRR keeps that number growing...
Jim the Geo
Roar Rookie
Thanks Andrew! Mmmm - that is a small number. Facebook fan site for The Force suggested the late k.o. may have played a part, but that's way down from the last season numbers...
anon
Roar Pro
No, quick google search shows the Bledisloe game sold out in November.
Don’t worry at the AWAY fixture.There will be Tia chia , Tank practise at half time , and at FULL time , the BIG ONE. “ I’m a Celebrity “ dog scrotum & live Bat Liver eating competitions to keep you guys entertained.
I think you mean the State of Origin? RU in Perth survives on ex-Pat South Africans and Confused Welsh and mixed up English Southerns who really like Football in England,but their team ???? this season. And the “Swetty Socks” , there are really a hand full of villages on the border of Scotland & England who really care. Newcastle Falcons would better playing up there as there is a massive void from there until you hit Conventry , Sorry London before the Rugby skills starts to get diluted..
The proper game?
Woodsman
Roar Rookie
does it start with W and end in failure?
ForceFan
Roar Rookie
G’day SB. Did the Sea of Blue look after you OK????
JM
Guest
I think it is more to do with the stuff they try and do to entertain the crowd . I couldn't make it to the game last night so watched it on TV and I found it much more easier to get into the game then when I was at the game last weekend. They are focusing trying to entertain the crowd with stupid crap then actually get the crowd into the game. It's frustrating trying to watch the game and they have "kiss cam" and "bongo cam" ect going on when they should be focusing on getting the crowd involved in the game more. The one thing I would like to see is them mic up the referee, like in the NFL, and have the ref announce the penalties to the crowd. I enjoyed the pipe band they had last year but the rest of it is just not doing it for me.
robel
Roar Pro
Especially as there were 11,500 the week before to watch the invitation team play. But it was a fun night anyway with some good backing up and team work.
rebel
Roar Guru
Accepting and agreeing are two different things champ. I'm a fan of rugby and want to see it grow, I'll leave the pettiness to others.
rebel
Roar Guru
Thanks Peter, I can drop one level off.
andrewM
Roar Rookie
It was a pretty disappointing crowd last night Jim.. 7,600
Jim the Geo
Roar Rookie
Good afternoon all! I've only recently discovered 'The Roar', so I just want to ask a question here - how many fans attended the first GRR game last night? As a regular at Force games a few years ago, I was gutted at their axing, and thrilled by Twiggy's rescue. Like many West Australians, I'm so keen for GRR to be a hit....but these days I work offshore, so getting to the game is a rare event for me. Sob!
anon
Roar Pro
I think the Bledisloe game in Perth is a sell out, so safe to say people have moved on.
anon
Roar Pro
I'm right more often that the Experts and Pros though :)