Western Force prop Kieran Longbottom knows he and his fellow heavyweights can’t afford another “off week” when they confront the Bulls in Saturday night’s Super Rugby clash in Perth.
The Force’s scrum was dismantled in last week’s 22-16 loss to the Melbourne Rebels, with the result ending the Perth-based franchise’s five-game winning streak.
Although Longbottom expressed his disappointed with the scrum performance, he isn’t panicking just yet.
South African teams are renowned for their powerful scrums, but Longbottom is confident the Force will be able to match the Bulls in this area.
“They’re a big pack with big boys. They’ve always been that way,” Longbottom said of the Bulls.
“But we’ve just got to meet that challenge and front up physically.
“I’m going to put it down to an off week (against the Rebels). It’s nothing we can’t fix in a week. All we’ve got to do is pull tight as an eight and work harder together.”
The Force are set to be bolstered by the return of lock Sam Wykes and fullback Jayden Hayward, but winger Luke Morahan (hamstring) and scrumhalf Alby Mathewson (ankle) are amongst a host of players still grounded by injury.
The Bulls will be without scrumhalf Piet van Zyl (knee), while skipper Flip van der Merwe could also miss the Force clash after being charged with striking Waratahs prop Paddy Ryan in last week’s 19-12 loss in Sydney.
The Force (5-3) sit in fifth spot on the table, but Longbottom said there was still plenty of hard work ahead if the team is to earn a maiden finals berth.
“We want to be the best Force team that come through here,” Longbottom said.
“If that ends up being in finals, that’s spectacular.
“But we’ve just got to keep working and focus on the job ahead.”
Longbottom, the first born and bred West Australian to progress through the state’s local pathway and into the Force team, will notch his 50th Super cap when he fronts up against the Bulls.
The 28-year-old said he was enjoying his rugby journey, and predicted a host of West Australian players would make their way into Super ranks over the coming years.
warrenexpatinnz
Roar Guru
Hope Kieran has a cracking game and the boys give another 'Hodgo' performance for him.
Daws
Guest
I was really surprised about the scrum against the rebels. It was actually looking good for the previous few weeks. Hopefully Wykes coming back can add a bit more grunt.
Daws
Guest
Haha hopefully last week has lulled them into a false sense of security in the bulls winning....
El Gamba
Roar Guru
The Force scrum has been a weakness in my opinion and this is my main area of concern. Outside of that we have a good pack to out run the massive Bulls pack and create some holes. Will be interesting and certainly a game the Force needs to win if they have any aspirations come the sharp end of the season. 5/2 was excellent, 6/3 can be too, 5/4 comes back to the pack in a big way.
El Gamba
Roar Guru
It's certainly a good start and there are others with a strong WA pedigree now floating around... Godwin, Holmes, Haylett-Petty, Justin Turner. It will be good for Australian rugby to see many more.
Mike
Guest
I hope they hammer the Bulls - go Force (from a Tahs fan).
Crazy Horse
Guest
I just hope the so called "experts" all tip against us.
Squirrel
Guest
Should be a belter, very physical game. Force are a good chance.
RobC
Roar Guru
I really don't want to jinx it. But I hope he stays fit. Go the Force.
Shop
Roar Guru
Well said CH. This to me spells real local progress and hopefully one day the majority of the team can be chosen from local players. I remember there was a lot of criticism when the Force won the bid for the 4th team but this sort of news proves that unfounded, probably even more so than success on the field.
Crazy Horse
Guest
"Longbottom, the first born and bred West Australian to progress through the state’s local pathway and into the Force team, will notch his 50th Super cap when he fronts up against the Bulls." A major milestone in the rise and rise of Western Australain Rugby. He's the first of many now following him, partly due to his inspiration. Well done Kieran.