Tag:

Tim Anstee

Leicester Fainga’anuku is such a wonderful standout player tonight for the Crusaders on the left wing with a hat-trick of tries from the first-half. He struck a fantastic balance between pace & physicality where he can track back and forth that is being defensively, as well as finish off the attack. And it came at the right time when the Crusaders were patient with the ball off the back of the Western Force’s lack of support numbers, before his team called him up & bit back the Force that made them pay the price in return.

Another standout Crusader player to look at is Will Jordan in the No.15 shirt at full-back where he dominated the 2nd half with a hat-track of his own, just like team-mate Fainga’anuku from the other 40 minute spell. These two players both young and talented in their early 20s; they also share the same height, physicality and pace. All Jordan does is track back and protect his men defensively where he was tested with the tackling & read, before he knows what to do with the ball and that word is to dominate where he was just too good.

Both players are just sensational to watch
where any opposing team will have a tough time dealing with Jordan and Fainga’anuku at their defensive territory, based on the lack of support numbers/communication before it’s ripped into shreds.

And Tim Anstee put his best tonight throughout the full 80 for his Western Force team at No.8. He provides so much physicality, talk-up and tall reach when smashing his way through the Crusaders defensive blocks with the ball on hand. He also provides that athletic ability when running back and forth where Anstee made a name for himself back in the 7s days. Although, his contribution benefitted with a number of winning penalties and advantages. But his team’s poor communication & execution in the attack let him down, where the Force had to pay the price for their defensive damages at the hands of the Crusaders in the end.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail

What a way to finish Round 9 of the 2022 Super Rugby Pacific as we turn our attention between the Australian and New Zealand teams battling each other with six rounds left to go. NSW Waratahs were off to a stellar start in the 1st half with a decent lead ahead of half-time at 7-24, while Western Force began to make up lost time with three tries on the board in the 2nd half alone. However, the game has already handed over to the Tahs by that stage when they’re too good to pull off a comfortable win at HBF Park in Perth. The final score is 24-41.

NSW Waratahs looked outstanding; left, right, center, tonight; on all fronts. Their first-half spell was unbelievable when the Tahs rack up three tries on the board off the back of the Force’s poor start, such as; Mark Nawaquanitawase, Lalakai Foketi & Michael Hooper. And they continued to extend their winning margin alongside the double try brace from Alex Newsome after the half-time break, even though there were some mistakes with the ill-discipline and that blunder at one point from Dylan Pietsch on the left-wing. It’s nice to see the Tahs high & flying now in 5th on the ladder under new coach Darren Coleman; players such as Michael Hooper & Jed Holloway, who have returned from overseas, will play a key role in their playoff push & the development of the Tahs youngsters.

Western Force just still held on to their place within the Playoffs bubble in 8th; they need to start acting fast now if they want to stay there, especially with the New Zealand teams around the corner for the remaining six rounds this season beginning next weekend. There’s no problem with their defensive shape that helped the Force win a couple of penalties. Although, they can be patient when building some pressure with the ball going forward. However, they only dominated the 2nd half alone with three tries on top of one lone big score in the first 40. They need more support with the executions & cut the ill-discipline from the start if the Force wants to stay in this fight by winning games.

The Tahs will open the Super Round at 6 pm AEST with the Chiefs from Waikato in Hamilton, NZ, where all of the Round 10 games are held at AAMI Park in Melbourne next Friday. Meanwhile, the Force has an opportunity to strike back when they take on Moana Pasifika straight after this Tahs v Chiefs match-up at 8.30 pm AEST.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail

It’s been a long time coming after 287 days, as Melbourne Rebels get to play at home in Round 2 of the Super Rugby Pacific v Western Force at AAMI Park. The first 20 minutes may be quiet for both teams, with the Force up ahead early in the first half, while Rebels just took the one three-point goal. But it’s the away team (Western Force) who found it too easy to nail down v Rebels by 25 points, 3-28.

The Force looked stronger than ever off the back of their 2021 season, even though they were so close to upsetting the Brumbies with the narrow loss last week in Canberra. They showed patience and teamwork for the majority tonight that led to a couple of successful big points, having dug deeper after the first 20 minutes of play when the Rebels lacked their attacking fire & possessed messy discipline. That’s how the Force took control of this game with Tim Anstee onboard with the first-half TRY. And they continued to increase their winning margin after half-time through Kyle Godwin via the penalty scrum feed, where the Force wrapped this up comfortably through another five-pointer touch score by sub utility back, Byron Ralston.

Meanwhile, the Rebels always know how to get the ball rolling defensively. They won a few penalties along the way including the three-point goal between the sticks from Matt Toomua at fly-half. However, they made plenty of ill-disciplinary mistakes, mainly full-back Reece Hodge, who received a double yellow card that turned into red. And the Rebels were also disorganized when trying to get the job done with the ball on hand despite the winning penalties, which is disappointing to reflect through a 25-point loss after full-time.

Rebels will now head off to Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, QLD on Friday night v Fijian Drua where they both seek their first victories of 2022. And the Force will host their first home game this year at HBF Park in Perth, also on a Friday night local time v Queensland Reds, which is straight after the conclusion of Drua v Rebels match-up.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail

Tim Anstee came off the bench on the blindside in the 48th minute. Having replaced Fergus Lee-Warner for the Western Force. He made a brilliant impact straight away. With great reading to look at the Melbourne Rebels weaknesses.

Each time the Rebels lost the ball Anstee took great care defensively. It has been the case tonight that helped his side win penalties. The same goes when the opposition were isolated up front. With square pegs all over the place. And Anstee was there to help his forwards take advantage of these mistakes. Before applying the physicality that kept them waiting. While the Western Force get to eat every Rebels inch with the ball on hand.

That is when Anstee was able to lend his hand in the attack. Alongside his forwards in a tug-o-war maul. They were pushed forward by Andrew Ready who was another sub. And did well to keep the drive straight. Then Ready made the Rebels turn sideways. Where it helped Anstee find that big of space. Got there past the Rebels danger zone for the winning TRY.

Sitaleki Timani

Another Force defensive player who put a great show is Sitaleki Timani. His team may have fired off slow during the first 40 run. The defensive setup was working without a doubt. In which was important for his reading. And the physical application. When the Rebels did not make their best chances in return. As Timani was able to steal the ball off them.

Force only made mistakes via the ill-discipline. It did hurt at times as reflected earlier on & most of their meetings. With the backline disjointed initially. Before Timani was able to push every inch of the Rebels territory. Where his side was finally settled after the break. The penalties were there to close in. Before he used that physical pack to push the Rebels sideways. And that helped his team-mate Tim Anstee execute the winning moment.

You got to credit him who is very experienced at lock. Alongside Jeremy Thrush who plays with Timani on the left hand side. He is also in the mid-30s bracket too. And it does benefit some of the youngsters like Tim Anstee. So once he & Thrush eventually retire. They can learn from them off by heart. Once they are ready to start regularly for the Force.

Lewis Holland

He did well on his first start in the Rebels midfield. Having helped out his forwards that held off one/two Force players to mark. That is how this side was able to get ahead early. Thanks to a couple of penalty goals converted as successful.

Lewis has both the physicality to run down the opposition half. As done in reverse to apply those blocks defensively. It shows that the Rebels gave him an chance to what he has got to offer. Especially when he played in the sevens circuit for a long time. And it taught him on how to be an all-rounder with some space. Which did test him once he moved into the XVs.

The passing was there as needed to keep this passage of play going. Where it was part of the foundations in this skillset. But there were lack of support runners that exposed the Rebels poor finishing. Very little hands up or difficulty maintaining ball. After there was long balls chucking popping up. And it is something that ultimately cost the game in the end. It is better to have close communication. So guys like Lewis can link up on the wide areas. Before the execution can be done.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail

Tim Anstee is one of the superstars tonight in the Force shirt. He is age 23 who plays blindside flanker at No.6.

He is happy with the requirements needed to produce. When Tim came in to look after his defensive play. So the Waratahs cannot slip past the Force own field. Got a good look at what they play. And helped his troops nail down the ball to turnover.

Communication not just important to protect the Force defense. And wipe away the Waratahs executions. He can apply the same traits going forward. When Tim has that tall reach & physicality to run.

A good example of his version of attacking approach. That would be once again as said earlier communication. You see Jeremy Thrush offload him with the inside pass. Then Tim activates his attacking instincts through the gate. It might not be the touchdown the first time. But at least he was not isolated. When he found Fergus Lee Warner for the big finish.

Although Anstee did get the touchdown himself later on. There is also talk up where it is an important aspect to test in any sport. Tim got a good read on how to split the Tahs defense. Before the Force line out was good. And you can see a brilliant offload immediately. As Tim exactly planned it right on the money.

It was Tim Anstee’s first start of the 2021 Super Rugby AU. After he made some minutes two weeks ago at home v Brumbies. He is settling very well into the XV game from the 7s tour. Gives him the tools of using the physicality & pace on all areas. And his run tonight shows that he can make a name for himself in Super Rugby. He is still learning from guys who played at International level. That will be a big benefit for his career in the long run.

Fergus Lee-Warner

Another Western Force star who stands out is Fergus Lee-Warner. He stars in a robust forwards unit with Tim Anstee.

He has got the tall height to look at the Tahs attacking setup. The home team lost these chances. Before he was able to help his troops turnover the ball. Thanks to the support he needed to form those blocks.

And he pays them the same work rate in the attack. Just like Fergus need a lot of powerful bodies to cancel the Tahs potential touchdowns. Used the physical trait and some pace in the final third.

Where you see Tim Anstee also running on the same page as Fergus. After a brilliant inside pass from veteran Jeremy Thrush on his opposite lock role. Gave his hand up to Anstee. With excellent talk up to let Fergus find his touchdown zone himself.

It goes to show that he is such an all-rounder in the Force side. Possessing all of the above attributes needed to produce a winning run. Especially when he follows their lead off captain Brynard Stander.

Well done on looking after his troops and help back himself up. In case of what the Tahs throw at them in return. Before presenting their own version. And wows them with valuable points on the board.

Jack Dempsey

It is hard yet again to see the Waratahs got shut down short. Despite some improved progress tonight. After coming here with two heavy defeats beforehand.

The one individual player who puts so much effort is Jack Dempsey. He looked after the Tahs defense with a great start.

Especially when he and his forwards unit able to spot the Force mistakes. And took their chances with the line-out. Where Dempsey was able to push the maul forward. Before giving his team-mate Dave Porecki for the 1st touchdown.

So this is great team-work and direction to guide his troops upfront. Not just the mind reading off the Force missed chances on occasions. Then apply with the physical strength to turn it around.

Same thing happens when he contributes going forward. Has got the physicality to break through the Force dummies. Just not enough support hand ups around him to help with the consistency. Where Jack forced to be isolated. While his backline dropped the ball. And saw his troops unfortunately beaten to the punch.

Not the night he wanted when he sat down upset in the dressing room. It is not his fault. Just issues way beyond the Tahs on field performance. All they can do now is show up as a different NSW side in Week 5. As next week is their week off.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail