Although you go into every game chasing victory, we are pleased with the performance that we produced at Loftus on Saturday night. The result didn’t go our way but this was a much improved performance by the team. All players rose to the occasion and we played as a team. It was a big occasion for the club as it was the club’s 100th appearance, Toby Lynn’s 50th Super cap, Sias’ first start for the club and Jayden Hayward being the newest member to join the Emirates Western Force family with his first Force cap.
It is always great to be away on tour but we are going to enjoy being back in familiar territory. Although we won’t be playing at NIB until the end of March, we will welcome sleeping in our own beds and having a wardrobe instead of a suitcase. We have the bye this week so have a few days to recover from the first three weeks of the tournament on the road. Then we change our focus to the Reds in Brisbane. Although we took a lot of positives away from the tour, there are clear areas that we can improve during the lead up to the Reds.
We will be taking a lot of confidence from the Bulls game and we must show that we can maintain this standard of performance for 80 minutes every week. There are no backward steps from here and we must prove to ourselves that we are not only good enough to compete at this level but to succeed.
In recent years the Brumbies and Blues have shown how quickly the fortunes of teams can change. The Force need a turn around of their magnitude and I see that we are improving and building towards this goal.
Looking from the inside I see a number of Force players who have really stepped up so far this season. Relatively new talents who are proving they have earned their opportunities are Angus Cottrell, Tetera Faulkner and Kyle Godwin. It is so good to see Perth raised talent (Godwin) not only make the step up to Super rugby but securing his place in the starting side, through consistently high level performances. Established Super talent new to the Force who are hitting their paces are Hugh McMeniman, Alby Mathewson and ‘The Boot” Sias Ebersohn. It is a testament to their experience and skill that they have been able to seamlessly step into the team and immediately contribute to the team. I would expect Sam Norton-Knight to be of similar ilk and I look forward to seeing him with the swan on his back in coming weeks. Force favourite Pek Cowan is also going to be pushing for higher honors this year if he keeps ripping in like he is.
With three rounds of the competition completed, there have been teams that have stood out; Waikato Chiefs, Auckland Blues and the Canberra Brumbies are looking like the form teams. I am really enjoying watching these two New Zealand sides as they are playing attractive rugby and seem to be able to attack from all areas of the park. With players like Rene Ranger and Nani Williams showing some freakish talent.
The Brumbies will only become stronger with George Smith being added to their squad. There are two questions that I would like to see answered; where will he play? 6, 7, 8 or even in the centers where has played while in France and Japan. And will we see Smith back in the Gold jersey for the Lions tour, as I know this can only strengthen Australian Rugby. I am looking forward to taking on George Smith again as he was, and to me always will be, the bench mark in the loose forward position and I always look forward to testing myself against the best in the game.
The bye also comes at a good time personally, as it will give me time to continue the rehabilitation of my hamstring that has stalled my campaign this year. It is frustrating to complete the pre season getting your body right for the tournament, only to have a minor hamstring injury appear and then linger. I have been disappointed to miss the first game and now to have my game interrupted against the Bulls. I have faith in the support staff and in my conditioning to get back from this injury as quickly as possible.
While this is a time to recover and refocus we will be out in force on Saturday for the family fun day, please come down to show your support as we are not complete with out the fans.
