Nathan Sharpe: Scored one of the Force's five tries
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The Reds' winless streak continued, when they were beaten 45-19 by the Western Force at the nib Stadium in Perth on Saturday.
The home side were full value for their win and it's largely down to the superb start which they made in this match.
Their forwards in particular deserve credit for the excellent platform which they set up for their backs.
The win is only the Western Force's second of the season and it's the first time that they have managed to score a bonus point for scoring four tries or more at their home ground.
The Reds looked totally out of sorts in the first half and seemed shell-shocked by the intensity with which the Force displayed during this period.
The champions' play was littered with handling errors and poor decision-making which the Force capitalised on and they raced into a 14-0 lead within 20 minutes.
This after an early try from James Stannard and impressive goal-kicking from David Harvey, who eventually contributed 20 points in the victory, via four penalties and four conversions.
The Force suffered a setback midway through the opening half when Stannard was forced off with an ankle injury but their fears soon subsided when Nathan Sharpe scored their second try in the 33rd minute.
The Reds tried to fightback and on the stroke of half-time they were rewarded when James Slipper crossed over for his first-ever try in the competition.
With that try and the Force's chief playmaker Stannard off, the Reds must have fancied their chances off launching a comeback in the second half but replacement fly-half Ben Seymour had other ideas.
Shortly after the break, Brett Sheehan charged down a woeful clearance kick from Dallan Murphy. The scrum-half regathered before offloading to Seymour who outpaced the cover defence before scoring.
The Reds struck back soon after that with a try by Van Humphries but the Force sealed the win and their bonus point try in the 70th minute when Seymour threaded a grubber kick past the on-rushing Reds defence which Samu Wara collected before dotting down.
The home side were not done though and still had time to score the best try of the match in the 74th minute when Matt Hodgson rounded off in the left-hand corner after Nic Cummins started a counter attack deep inside his 22.
Reds speedster Dom Shipperley scored a consolation try in the dying seconds of the match but this loss means that the champions have now lost three matches on the trot.
They have also conceded more than 100 points in two matches after losing 61-8 to the Bulls last weekend.
The scorers:
For Western Force:
Tries: Stannard, Sharpe, Seymour, Wara, Hodgson
Cons: Harvey 4
Pens: Harvey 4
For Reds:
Tries: Slipper, Humphries, Shipperley
Cons: Murphy 2
Western Force: 15 David Harvey, 14 Samu Wara, 13 Nick Cummins, 12 Winston Stanley, 11 Alfie Mafi, 10 James Stannard, 9 Brett Sheehan, 8 Matt Hodgson, 7 David Pocock, 6 Richard Brown, 5 Nathan Sharpe, 4 Toby Lynn, 3 Salesi Ma'afu, 2 Nathan Charles, 1 Pek Cowan.
Replacements: 16 Elvis Taione, 17 Kieran Longbottom, 18 Phoenix Battye, 19 Ben McCalman, 20 Ben Seymour, 21 Rory Sidey, 22 Kyle Godwin.
Reds: 15 Rod Davies, 14 Dom Shipperley, 13 Joel Rapana, 12 Ben Tapuai, 11 Luke Morahan, 10 Dallan Murphy, 9 Will Genia, 8 Jake Schatz, 7 Liam Gill, 6 Scott Higginbotham, 5 James Horwill (c), 4 Van Humphries, 3 James Slipper, 2 James Hanson, 1 Ben Daley.
Replacements: 16 Albert Anae, 17 Greg Holmes, 18 Rob Simmons, 19 Eddie Quirk, 20 Beau Robinson, 21 Nick Frisby, 22 Nathan Eyres-Brown.
Referee: Garratt Williamson (New Zealand)
Comments
Ramage says...
@ letsgoboks I know you don't like booing but its a bit rich you calling the players all dirty ozzies. Hang on mate there was a fair few kiwis in the teams. So stop trying to take over the Kiwi digs at our Ozzie mates. By the way your own countrymen aren't too bad at the booing. Didn't the Bulls get booed onto the field by the Stormers fans? Don't be so selective and just admit all nations do it.
@Trinuts you hear the booing coming from Brisbane, Melbourne and Canberra. Sydney does it quite a bit but its usually directed at their own players. The really funny comments aimed at the Reds in Perth did not have that strong Saffa accent no mate they were true blue man and hardly complimentary. Talking about dodgy refs just like to inform you there aren't many OZ refs getting games in Super Rugby so unfortunately for you your wish won.t happen till they bring on the L plate referees from OZ to join the struggling Ian Smith.
Posted 10:51 03rd April 2012
isthatrightref says...
@ genghis_j... the only bit of Growden's piece I disagree with is "For a country to consider itself an international power, you want your provinces going better than sixth, ninth, 10th, 11th and 15th." As we've seen over the years results in S12-14-15 haven't always translated into results in 3N let alone RWC: Reds etc may not be travelling too well atm but that's no reason to discount the Wobblies in 4N.
That said, Growden will be leading the charge for McKenzie to replace Deans should they fail to win the 4N and/ or Bledisloe so his comments could also be seen as part of the groundwork for that scenario if/ when it arises: Growden's astute enough to keep his pieces ambiguous while Deans' future is still in doubt but if Wobblies have another so-so year expect S15 results to get brought out as one of the reasons why Deans has to go.
Posted 22:03 02nd April 2012
letsgoboks says...
What was with the boo'ing in this game when the kicker went up to do his thing. It leaves a bad taste.. considering they are all dirty aussies... :D
Posted 10:43 02nd April 2012
Capedcrusader says...
The biggest issue the reds have is that their forward pack are NOT depleted it's mostly the backs. To have 100 points put on you in 2 games has F.A. to do with missing finishers and playmakers who can't tackle anyway. Genia looked poor why - his pack were poor. I thought form was temporary and class permanent.....
Many of the Crusaders who have been picked for the AB's only got the nod by being outstanding in provincial comps first. Read & the Franks bro's are a perfect example so too Rico Gear so the argument being full of internationals doesn't wash. It's common sense actually
The Crusaders backline got desimated against the Stormers last season. Where did it get them. Fact is they won that game and went on to be runners up in the comp - the final being a game too far.
Boo Hoo Queensland Reds - harden up.
Posted 10:03 02nd April 2012
kiwilad says...
Trinats, other teams that you frequently rubbish on here, win bigger tournaments down to their 4th choice number 10, but when your beloved Reds drop a player or 3 it the end of the earth, but you claim you respect winners and loosers????
Posted 04:54 02nd April 2012
isthatrightref says...
From Greg Growden's column in this mornings Sydney Morning Herald: "Only deluded would back [Aussie] team for title... Admittedly one will make the finals, due to the conference system, but only the most brainwashed supporter could convince themselves the Brumbies, Waratahs, Reds, Force or Rebels have what it takes to be titleholders. Even the army of Reds supporters, who some weeks ago had good cause to believe in back-to-back titles, have gone silent. Being thrashed by the Bulls and Force has blown the wind out of their campaign."
Sounds like he had a certain prolific PR poster in mind when he wrote that...
"In terms of consistency, intensity and quality of play, the Australian teams are running well behind their New Zealand and South African counterparts. The lack of depth in Australian rugby has again been exposed, with the Reds struggling to be competitive... while the Waratahs, with four Wallabies sidelined, are all over the place."
Says it all really, dunnit?
Posted 21:50 01st April 2012
spliffed says...
Hmm some serious 'kak'being spoken here ..lol.
Posted 12:23 01st April 2012
ben7 says...
jonesy2
you're a comedian mate. are you talking about the same SA as the rest of the world? the stormers are winning the comp, the bulls are easily better than any aussie team the sharks just beat aussies best team the cheetahs play the best rugby of the comp and just beat the canes at home and should have won at least 3 more games and even the lions could probably beat all of the aussie teams. haha aussies suck. dont try argue, u know im right
Posted 10:57 01st April 2012
hayj05 says...
I love the loyal fan base the Force have & it's in Perth of all places, not known for having any interest in union what so ever.
Posted 09:59 01st April 2012
jonesy2 says...
that will show the idiots who dont rate the force. obviously the reds are in a dire situation but the force will be somewhere near the top they are one of the best sides and will get better as they get cam shepherd back. better than all the SA teams thats for sure
Posted 08:16 01st April 2012
Ramage says...
I enjoyed being at NIB Stadium cheering on the Force and boy those Aussie fans don't hold back. Some of the comments about and aimed at the Reds really made me blush. After what I said last week perhaps I should blush yes they do have injuries but the anemic performance from the Reds dished up was a problem for them and their future games. Watching the game on TV after getting home and seeing Euan Mckenzie's face said it all. Oh well just like they say news one day fish and chip wrapping the next.
Posted 07:03 01st April 2012
hayj05 says...
I think it shows one of the reasons they won the title last year. They rode off Coopers brilliance & sense of invincibilty but without him the players aren't being inspired on the field. Remember their first 3 games were shockers too, it's just the teams they were playing were poor too. They could be in a lot more trouble than they already are.
Still time to turn it around & afterall they might only need to win half their games to top the Aussie conference lol. That's sure to come back to bite me at same stage of the season. Credit to the Force though, Yoda would be proud.
Posted 02:03 01st April 2012
isthatrightref says...
Hardly a shock as the Force have a habit of knocking over teams on their way home from SA, with or without a 53-point flogging as baggage, and given the Reds shocking injury toll/ lack of depth (anyone got Caleb Ralph's mobile?)... what it proves conclusively, however, is that the Australian Conference is the strongest/ most even/ weakest in the comp...
Reds have yet to bank their bye but should they lose again to the Brumbies (on the cards given how strong/ even/ weak the oz conf is) they would have to start getting a tad nervous.
@ rugbylover... Marto's radio show is only on weekdays & Fox Sports Rugby Club doesn't go to air until Tuesday so at this point Trinats has no idea what to think :-)
Posted 00:48 01st April 2012
Hybrid187 says...
Last season will always be known as the season that not all teams played each other. Reds got a lucky draw.
Posted 00:11 01st April 2012
KiwiLad says...
walaroo, have to agree, Original champs the Blues won back to back, The Crusaders epitomise consistancy, Brumbies were big for a considerable time, the Bulls the same, The Reds are awful.
Posted 23:17 31st March 2012
brands says...
how embarrasing, really makes last years championship look the mockery it was, and to loose to the Force?? Reds are very overated, pretenders not contenders!
Posted 21:43 31st March 2012
spliffed says...
Oh dear !!!!
Posted 17:20 31st March 2012
melkdave says...
Well the Force where the better team today and deserved their win .The Reds look like a team in choas atm ,no intensity ,lots of mistakes / errors and looking very sorry for themselves ,and just dont know what they are supposed to do .The loss of their 3 FHs along with others i think has really hurt them and i dont see them challanging this year at all to keep their title .In fact i feel atm they wont even finish in the top half of the overall table
Posted 15:58 31st March 2012
rugbylover says...
c'mon triprats.
Wait for it....................................
Posted 15:34 31st March 2012
bloemboy says...
My heart goes out to Trinats......... honest!
hehehehe
Posted 15:31 31st March 2012