The UAFC

Games kicks off in about 2 hours - Burgs will be keeping our web viewing public up to date on TWF at http://thewholeforce.com/showthread.php?t=5721 whilst I go watch the game - what a solider! Will post an update here later.. It'll be Matt Giteau's first run on in a Force Jersey!

Wish us luck! C'arn The Force!!

Greetings folks, have begun the updates now at http://thewholeforce.com/showthread.php?t=5721
Feel free to come and watch/join in, otherwise I will try and put up a few summaries during the match.
Still a very hot day in Perth with the teams "warming up" in 36 degree heat!


Starting XV's as follows:

Starting XV for the Emirates Western Force -

1. Gareth Hardy
2. Brendan Cannon
3. Troy Takiari
4. Rudi Vedelago
5. Nathan Sharpe (c)
6. David Pusey
7. David Pocock
8. Richard Brown
9. Matt Henjak
10. Scott Daruda
11. Cameron Shepherd
12. Matt Giteau
13. Ryan Cross
14. Haig Sare
15. Drew Mitchell.

Manu Samoa Starting XV -

1. Donald Kerslake
2. Silao Vaisola
3. Iakopo Eti
4. Manaia Salavea
5. Mike Sala
6. Justin Purdie
7. Ulia Ulia (c)
8. Ray Stark
9. Notise Tauafao
10. Doug Sanft
11. Timoteo Iosua
12. Willie Lafaele
13. Uale Mai
14. Asalemo Malo
15. Lolo Lui.

Go the FORCE!!!

Poor wee things having to cope with that heat, it snowed here yesterday Burgs!

Those Samoan parents haven't much imagination when it comes to names have they? No.7 Ulia Ulia

Half Time:
Western Force- 33 (5 Tries, 4 Conversions)
Manu Samoa- 3 (1 Penalty)

Obviously being played in very hot weather (still 34 degrees at 7:45pm) so hard going and a lot of sweat on the ball.
Some great footwork from individuals from the Force to get the tries, especially Cameron Shepherd.

Perth much nicer in June. Memories of last summers Oz v Ire game. Had lovely 4 days - best bit was cycling along the river for miles and miles - lovely and flat - and ended up in The Lucky Shag pub back in town on the river. Anyway tried to join yer supporters messageboard thingie but could never complete the intro bit. Anyone else have difficulty?

FINAL SCORE

Western Force -59
Manu Samoa- 10

A great cheer from the crowd shows appreciation for a hard match in tough conditions.
Overall a fairly encouraging hit out for the Force considering the heat and the fact that many hadn't played together this year.
All good signs and still a couple to come in.
Great work by our first WA Club player, James "Chucky" Stannard coming off the bench for the Force. A fine reward for a sensational 2006 both as Captain of WA Club Palmyra and for the Western Force Gold (our "A" Team).
A shame that the Force switched off with a minute to go to let Manu Samoa through for their only try however it was a damn hot night and it was just reward for the Manu for a gutsy effort and Tour.

Nice to see the force doing well. Think they are definitely gonna show a marked improvement on their first season.

Good luck and I might see you at the Tahs game!

H'woodMike2umate wrote:Anyway tried to join yer supporters messageboard thingie but could never complete the intro bit. Anyone else have difficulty?

I'll get Cobber onto that for you mate, not sure why that would be.

From RugbyWA's ticker tape (which I managed to stay in front of for 90%of the match )

Super performance by the Emirates Western Force tonight all things considered. The healthy (revised) crowd of 9501 (absolutely awesome for the S14 for a Trial match) saw some terrific expansive play by the home side in sweltering conditions, even with the standard number of trial match errors.
Tonight has certainly laid a solid platform for next Friday's Investec Super 14 opener against the Highlanders at Subiaco Oval, with Cross, Giteau and Mitchell looking settled in the new backline.

FULL TIME - Emirates Western Force 59 Manu Samoa 10

Force:
Tries- Sare 3, Cross 2, Pusey 1, Brown 1, Shepherd 1, Ioane 1.
Conversions- Shepherd 7/9

Manu Samoa:
Try- Ulia 1.
Conversion- Lui 1.
Penalty- Sanft 1.

sounds like a bit of an exhibition match. Hopefully a good confidence builder for the season ahead.

Yeah - Samoa were down all their top players. Not a bad performance by our lads, but not the sort of game that will win us very many Super 14 matches

It was good to see the new boys on the paddock, and there's no denying that a win - especially a win at home - makes the booze taste that much better!