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The massive roadblock standing in the way of a first Super Rugby finals appearance for the Rebels

Billy Meakes tackled by the Western Force. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)

The Western Force will have the perfect chance to exact revenge over the Melbourne Rebels when the arch enemies lock horns at McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday.

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The Rebels need to beat the Force by four points or more in order to pip the NSW Waratahs for third spot and secure a finals berth.

Anything less than that will result in the Rebels finishing fourth and enduring another year in the playoff wilderness.

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Maloney’s Dark Secret Revealed | The Aussie Rugby Show | Episode 15

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Maloney’s Dark Secret Revealed | The Aussie Rugby Show | Episode 15

The Force are winless, and they would be merely playing for pride against any other opponent this week.

But the case is different against the Rebels, who became the Force’s enemy when the two franchises were locked in a fight for survival in 2017.

The axe ended up controversially falling on the Force, and the only reason why they still exist is because billionaire mining magnate Andrew Forrest came to their rescue.

Forrest launched Global Rapid Rugby to ensure the Force had a competition to play in, and the Perth-based franchise was only invited to join Super Rugby AU this year after COVID-19 wreaked havoc on sporting competitions around the world.

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The Force have blown several match-winning positions this season, with the biggest of them all coming in the round five extra-time loss to the Rebels.

Force flyhalf Jono Lance had the chance to put his team ahead in the 77th minute, but his missed penalty gave the Rebels a lifeline, with the Melbourne-based franchise snaring the win in the opening minutes of extra-time.

The Rebels failed to make the finals in their nine completed seasons of Super Rugby, and they’re desperate to end the drought this year.

Guiding them is former Force coach Dave Wessels, who was a steadying influence and the voice of reason at the Force during their final season of Super Rugby.

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The Rebels will start as hot favourites against the Force on Saturday, but they are taking nothing for granted.

– Justin Chadwick

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M
MA 2 hours ago
How the four-team format will help the Wallabies defeat the Lions

In regards to Mack Hansen, Tuipoloto and others who talent wasnt 'seen'..

If we look at acting, soccer and cricket as examples, Hugh Jackman, the Heminsworths in acting; Keith Urban in Nashville, Mike Hussey and various cricketers who played in UK and made the Australian team; and many soccer players playing overseas.


My opinion is that perhaps the ' 'potential' or latent talent is there, but it's just below the surface.


ANd that decision, as made by Tane Edmed, Noah, Will Skelton to go overseas is the catalyst to activate the latent and bring it to the surface.


Based on my personal experience of leaving Oz and spending 14 months o/s, I was fully away from home and all usual support systems and past memories that reminded me of the past.


Ooverseas, they weren't there. I had t o survive, I could invent myself as who I wanted, and there was no one to blame but me.


It bought me alive, focused my efforts towards what I wanted and people largely accepted me for who I was and how I turned up.


So my suggestion is to make overseas scholarships for younger players and older too so they can benefit from the value offered by overseas coaching acumen, established systems, higher intensity competition which like the pressure that turns coal into diamonds, can produce more Skeltons, Arnold's, Kellaways and the like.


After the Lion's tour say, create 20 x $10,000 scholarships for players to travel and play overseas.


Set up a HECS style arrangement if necessary to recycle these funds ongoingly.


Ooverseas travel, like parenthood or difficult life situations brings out people's physical and emotional strengths in my own experiences, let's use it in rugby.

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