It is moments within games that can decide whether you win or lose. Currently we are controlling the majority of the game, yet it is our decision-making and skill execution under pressure in particular moments that are letting us down.
There has not been one game this year where we have felt out of control or where an opposition has totally out played us. It is these critical moments that we must master as a team, before we can move from being competitive to contender’s week in, week out. When you play at this level of rugby it is these moments that can determine the outcome of the game, commonly termed a game’s turning point. Frustratingly too often this season and in the past this has been the case with the Force. I’m sure it is exasperating for the fans and it is beyond frustrating when you are part of a performance where a win has slipped from your grasp again.
Although we have only the one win, I think that, as a whole there is a continual improvement week to week. An area in which we have excelled in the past three weeks is our defence. The Reds, Cheetahs and Waratahs were only able to cross our line two times in those three games. With both the Reds and the Cheetahs being known for their attacking style and ability to score points this is noteworthy. We have installed a new system and have a new belief that is leading the way in our defence. The ability to cover your mate and have each other’s back is something that is transferring from our new culture into our game. We don’t want to let each other down. We win as a team or we lose as a team.
It is great to see that all the hard work that we have started off the field moving into the way we play. We are a close-knit group both because of our isolation but also because we see ourselves as a brotherhood. There has been a great transition amongst the team that is becoming evident in the way that we have played. This key building block is an essential foundation of our club and of our game plan.
It will be great to be back in Perth for two home games in a row, the first time this year, to play both the Rebels and the Crusaders. It is always a great feeling to be able to play and train at home for an extended period. And it will be great to gain some redemption at NIB and turn our home record around. We enjoy playing at home in front of our great crowd. Against the Rebels we will be aiming at repaying the faithful with a great performance. Let’s hope to make the Rebel’s zero from three on their current tour.
This was one of the toughest weeks I have experienced, not only as a captain of the footy team but in my career to date. Chris (Eaton) has only recently joined the club but he is still and will always be one of the boys and part of the Western Force Family. For him to suffer such a tragedy as documented in the press this week, is something that is felt by all that know him. The news broke the morning of the Waratahs game and I was proud of how focused the team was under the extreme circumstances. Thoughts, prayers and support are with Chris, his family and friends at this time. If it is the right thing for him I hope he rejoins the club. The door is most certainly open and it would have been great to see him run off the bench this weekend as was planned. As seriously as we take our professional rugby careers, events like this put our work into perspective. Take your time mate, rugby isn’t going anywhere.
