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Former All Black Richard Kahui dots down twice in Western Force pre-season match with Brumbies

Richard Kahui training with the Western Force /Getty

The Western Force’s first hit-out for 2021 saw a number of new recruits stake their claim for a starting spot in next week’s season opener following a highly entertaining narrow loss to the ACT Brumbies at Viking Park.

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The result against the reigning Super Rugby AU champions sets up a mouth-watering season opener between the two sides at HBF Park on Friday, February 19.

After a strong and confident start from the Force, the hosts fought back to maintain possession, but notable crucial tackles from the likes of Fergus Lee-Warner, Kane Koteka and Byron Ralston ensured the scores remained locked at 0-0 after the first period.

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Rugby Australia CEO Andy Marinos, NSW Waratahs captain Jake Gordon and Stan Sport commentator Allana Ferguson have spoken at the Super Rugby AU launch event held at Taronga Zoo in Sydney.

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Rugby Australia CEO Andy Marinos, NSW Waratahs captain Jake Gordon and Stan Sport commentator Allana Ferguson have spoken at the Super Rugby AU launch event held at Taronga Zoo in Sydney.

The Brumbies eventually opened the scoring with a rolling maul in the 40th-minute, as Lachlan Lonergan crossed the line.

The Force struck back swiftly in the 47th-minute, with former All Black Richard Kahui powering over the line from Tomás Cubelli’s quickly taken touch and pass.

Kahui’s try, which was converted by new recruit Jake McIntyre, signalled a strong period for the visitors with Jake Strachan’s blistering pace giving the Force the lead with a fantastic try.

Marcel Brache’s bullet pass to Brad Lacey saw the winger burst down the left-hand-side before eventually passing to Cubelli inside who then directed offloaded at the perfect moment to Strachan who raced away for a try, which was again converted by McIntyre to make it 14-7.

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Kahui scored his second try in emphatic fashion showing blistering speed and great anticipation to intercept and score. McIntyre made it three conversions from three attempts to make it 21-7.

The Brumbies hit back in the 56th-minute with a penalty try followed by a converted try from former Force player Issak Fines in the 75th-minute to level the scores.

The Canberra side regained the lead in the 80th-minute with a rolling maul try and successful conversion.

The Force responded with local product Grason Makara touching down after reading Argentinian flyhalf Domingo Miotti’s clever grubber kick to the corner superbly. Miotti then showed great composure to convert and make it 28-26 in the Force’s favour.

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A penalty goal in the 87th-minute saw the Brumbies snatch a dramatic win after an eventful and high-octane performance from the two sides.

– Western Force Rugby

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O
Oh no, not him again? 1 hour ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
C
CO 2 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
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