Brutal honesty has been the theme of the previous few days because the Western Force desperately attempt to repair their self-discipline points forward of a crunch conflict with the Crusaders in Christchurch.
The Force are the second most penalised group within the Super Rugby Pacific competitors this season and have additionally been slapped with eight yellow playing cards.
Ill self-discipline once more price the Force dearly in final weekend’s 31-17 loss to the Queensland Reds, and captain Michael Wells mentioned there had been some frank group discussions within the wake of that defeat.
“It’s showing guys what those pictures are, where they’re falling short, and demanding better of them,” Wells advised reporters on Tuesday.
“It’s not necessarily the nicest chat, because no one likes sitting in a room of 20-plus people and getting told they did something wrong.
“But it is most likely what you want at this level of the season.
“Feelings matter less than victories and results.
“Guys must see what they’re doing incorrect and treatment it fairly shortly.”
Wells acknowledged the Force would not be able to eradicate all penalties but there were some obvious areas to improve.
“For scrum penalties … issues occur in a scrum, I do not assume anybody actually is aware of what is going on on there,” Wells mentioned.
“Sometimes the penalties go your means, different occasions it will not.
“It’s more the penalties around not rolling away, the hands in the ruck, offsides, that are really preventable.
“It’s effort, mentality type of stuff.”
The Force (3-6) sit in 10th spot on the Super Rugby ladder and face an almighty task to upset the fifth-placed Crusaders (6-3).
Five-eighth Bryce Hegarty (knee), fellow back Bayley Kuenzle (hamstring) and flanker Tim Anstee (concussion) are the latest players to be added to the Force’s injury list.
Folau Fainga’a (achilles) and Izack Rodda (foot) remain sidelined.
But reinforcements have arrived in time for the Crusaders match, headlined by new signing Isi Naisarani.
Naisarani has returned from Japan to sign with the Force until the end of the season, and the Wallabies enforcer will be unleashed against the Crusaders after recovering from a knee injury.
“I do not anticipate any type of rust from him. I anticipate we’ll see one of the best of him fairly shortly,” Wells mentioned.
“He’s bought worldwide expertise, his fame speaks for itself.
“He definitely brings that ball-carrying threat. He’s a big body, and he’ll definitely throw his weight around.
“We want our bodies to punch holes, and including somebody in who can provide that characteristic to our group – that is huge for us and that is one thing Izzy thrives on.”
Prop Santiago Medrano, fullback Max Burey and centre Nikolai Foliaki are additionally obtainable.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
