FORCE FOCUSED ON HOME RUN
Sunday, 14 March 2010 10:57pm
RugbyWA
The Emirates Western Force are determined to find their best football after a frustrating start to the season and there is no better time than next week in front of home fans when they return to ME Bank Stadium for a three match stretch starting with Aussie rivals the Waratahs on Saturday evening.
Skipper Nathan Sharpe summed up the mood of the group when he said they couldn’t wait to get back on the field and turn things around following a sub-par performance against the Reds in Queensland.
“It’s a six day turnaround and the next game can’t come soon enough for us,” Sharpe said following the game at Suncorp Stadium.
“We’ll clear the air tonight and tomorrow, there is no doubt everyone is really disappointed at themselves, and that’s a good thing after a performance like that.”
The result maintained the ascendancy of the home team in clashes between the two sides with neither able to claim a win on enemy territory in five meetings.
Coming off the bye the Force were looking to kick start their season after three hard fought performances had gone without reward to open the campaign, however it wasn’t to be against a Reds outfit that has already claimed several big scalps this season, and were focused on registering back to back wins for the first time since 2006.
The Queenslanders made the most of some scrappy work from the Force at the line-out and ran in five tries in the opening half to set-up a 33 point lead. While the visitors put in a more solid second half display it wasn’t enough to secure their first points of the season.
“We’ll regroup and get stuck into it again,” said Sharpe.
“I think the thing for us is, that while tonight was disappointing we know that when we do execute well what we’re trying to do is really applicable to the way the new law interpretations are being handled and we just have to do it better.
“Well done to the Reds tonight, they played a really simple game plan, they do it well and are playing very well at the moment.
“That’s something that we need to aspire to.”
Sharpe became the most capped Emirates Western Force player with 53 matches since joining the club in their inaugural season in 2006. The skipper has been an inspiration throughout his term in the west and will again provide the leadership as the squad works its way back to its best.
“There are things that we’ve been working on all year that we’re trying to get right but, particularly in that first half, we lacked that execution and Mitch (Coach John Mitchell) has spoken about how much that costs you in a game.
“We have to get those things right and keep working on it,” said Sharpe.
Next Match
Emirates Western Force v Waratahs
Saturday, 20 March 2010 at ME Bank Stadium
Kick-off 7.10pm Grab your tickets now by clicking here.
This match is in support of the Breast Cancer Foundation of Western Australia and limited edition hats are available with all proceeds from their sale going to help the great work of the foundation. You can also put yourself in the running to win some great prizes - Click here for more details.
