It’s still early days, but this Super Rugby season is shaping as a special year for the Western Force.
The Force secured consecutive bonus point victories for the first time in their history on Saturday night when they held on for a 31-29 triumph over the Highlanders in Dunedin.
The Perth-based franchise now have the chance to notch three wins on the trot for the first time since 2007 when they host the all-conquering Chiefs on Saturday night.
The Force were hot favourites to claim the wooden spoon after opening their season with lacklustre losses to the Waratahs and Brumbies.
But impressive wins over the Rebels and Highlanders have lifted them into equal sixth spot on the table.
Star forward Ben McCalman faces a nervous wait after he was cited for his spear tackle on Highlanders prop Kane Hames.
But other than that it’s good news for the Force, who are brimming with confidence after scoring eight tries in the past two weeks.
Halves pairing Sias Ebersohn and Alby Mathewson are combining brilliantly, while Force back-rowers McCalman and Matt Hodgson have been supreme at the breakdown this season.
The Force have finished 13th, 14th, 12th and 13th in the past four years, and have never won more than seven games in a season.
But finally there is light at the end of the tunnel, with the hard work under coach Michael Foley starting to pay dividends.
“These guys have worked very hard for the past 16 months, and I think there’s a little bit of validation there,” Foley said.
“The guys who have been at the club for a long time haven’t had the good fortune of getting back-to-back bonus point wins before.
“It gives them a lot of belief. It doesn’t mean we’ll always get it right. But it does prove that all the hard work and the effort they put in for each other is worthwhile.”
They say the harder you work, the luckier you get.
That was definitely the case on Saturday night, with the Force holding on for a two-point win after Highlanders flyhalf Hayden Parker missed his conversion on the full-time siren.
The Force fought tooth and nail to after being reduced to 13 men for the final eight minutes, and they deserved victory after producing yet another impressive attacking display.
Foley praised his team’s fighting spirit, and urged them to put in another big effort on Saturday night against the Chiefs, who have won the past two Super titles.
deanp
Guest
yup, a farce alright. He shouldn't have got a ban at all, the sending off was punishment enough. But no surprises a corrupt judiciary is covering up for an incompetant Kiwi ref. The player who should have got banned was the Highlander for feigning injury to get an opponent sent off. About as low as you can get, and we don't need these tactics from soccer soiling the great game of union.
Buzzard
Guest
Chiefs by 30!!! The back to back defending champions up against a reject side full of imports from NZ & SA in AFL territory????? Actually really the Chiefs should win by 50+. Its like the West Coast Eagles playing a NZ Aussie Rules team in the Waikato?
Rodknee
Guest
No Alcock, no mccalman, no chance
Kuruki
Roar Guru
What a farce. McCalman has been given a two week ban but will miss only one game due to having a bye. What a load of rubbish, if it is one week ban, call it a one week ban don't try to gain brownie points by saying he has been given two weeks.
Kuruki
Roar Guru
while there is plenty of time to go, those teams who are genuine contenders are pretty much playing for the title every week. Whoever finishes top of the ladder has fate in their own hands and will have the massive advantage of not having to travel at any stage during the finals. Those sorts of privileges matter and this weeks and next weeks results matter, so do 4 try bonuses.
sittingbison
Guest
ermmmm the hiding dished out last season at ECOLight Stadium was the mighty free flowing high scoring Chiefs flogging the hapless Force by a massive......SINGLE POINT 22-21!!! Reminds me that the Highlanders were going to whip the clueless Force....despite losing five consecutive games after a single point win way back in 2007 and Force coming off scoring four tries the previous week and two tries in the second half the week before. Sure the Chiefs are favourites, but lets hope for a great game with lots of heart and endeavour from both sides. The stadium will be packed to the gills, the Chiefs have a huge following in Perth.
Gavin Melville
Roar Pro
Do you reckon they'll get 20,000 there? Surely the Perth public will fancy that the Force have score all their tries for the season already
Gavin Melville
Roar Pro
Hmmmn. The reds have no form in SA. The Lions are a very patient side and I expect that'll frustrate the Reds, who like it open. The Tans have the class but have they got the temperament? Cheika looks like he's not so good at the old 'Poker Face' himself. I with Dru,though - plenty of time to go
Gavin Melville
Roar Pro
when's the judgement due on McCalman?
Bobbo7
Guest
As a Highlanders supporter I thought we should win but to lose was no great surprise given the Highlanders are a mess under pressure. Poor decisions and a lack of urgency until the last 10. I feel the Chiefs will get the job done but great to see the Force going well. Would be a great win if it happened.
Hammer
Guest
20?? come on mate. At a hopefully packed NIB stadium( Usually is with all the kiwis) it's going to be close
Dru
Guest
Hmm, seems to me that it's a long season. Results this weekend will be important, but not so much to write off (or create certainty for) these teams.
Dru
Guest
And the Force are likely to struggle over 80 against a Chiefs who turn up full strength. If I were a Chiefs fan this is what I would be thinking about. Are they resting anyone, who's on the bench who should start, what is the attitude of the Chiefs in preparation? Anything half-cocked and they may well fail. Crack on Force, keep surprising us!
Buzzard
Guest
I'd laugh if the Force did beat the Chiefs though. But are the Force that good though?
Batdown
Guest
Ka pai e hoa, he mea hatakehi noa iho! (Trans. Algud my friend, just having a bit of fun!) The Chiefs have a unique ability to absorb pressure then attack with accuracy. Possession is irrelevant to this Chiefs team, their weapon of choice is the setpiece and their defense. Numerous tries have been scored from setpiece and from their ability to counterattack from turn over ball. I notice that you mention the backs scoring the tries, but from my viewpoint the hardwork was done by the forwards in defence and from the setpiece. They laid the foundation for the backline to score and it is incredibly hard to win games with a weak pack and a worldclass backline. But in saying that, this Chiefs team is exactly that...a team. The backline complements the forward pack and vice versa. A perfect storm.
Flying 14
Guest
That's what the Rebels and Highlanders thought... Look where it got them
Flying 14
Guest
.
Buzzard
Guest
It will be if the Force beat the Chiefs. Reds have to beat the Lions or they're gone! Tahs must beat the Rebels or they're pretenders!
Buzzard
Guest
Chiefs by 20! Can't see the Force winning 3 in a row. They only just won 2 in a row for the first time since 2011 so 3 in a row will be hard especially against the Chiefs. Injury ridden or not the Chiefs easy.
Chan Wee
Guest
@ atlas too bad about Robbie. a talent we will not see at 100% due to illness. IMO he will never be "normal" after rheumatic fever :(