They’ve been decimated by injuries and are in grave danger of being axed from Super Rugby altogether, but the Western Force are still daring to dream of snaring an unlikely finals berth this season.
The Force sit 16th overall with a 2-6 record.
However, amazingly, they are still an outside chance of qualifying for the finals given the inept display by Australian sides this year.
The winner of the Australian conference will be guaranteed a finals berth, with the Brumbies (3-6) occupying that position at the moment.
But they are just nine points ahead of the Force, who have a game in hand.
The Force face a make-or-break two-game tour against the Sharks (Durban) and Jaguares (Buenos Aires) before playing four of their final five games at home.
Hindering the Force is a worrying injury toll that has claimed the likes of captain Ben McCalman (shoulder), Dane Haylett-Petty (hamstring), Ryan Louwrens (knee), Chance Peni (groin). Ben Daley (knee), and Luke Morahan (fractured cheekbone) among others.
Despite the casualty list, flyhalf Jono Lance is confident the team can still launch a spirited charge at a finals berth.
“The Australian conference is very tight. No one has run away with it at the moment,” Lance said.
“It’s definitely there for the taking and once you make the finals, then it’s a whole new story.
“It’s almost a new season because everyone starts from scratch.
“So it’s definitely a goal of ours and we feel optimistic that if we can play the right footy, we can end up there.”
The Force have been bolstered by the return of Wallabies lock Adam Coleman, who has recovered from the calf injury he suffered in round two.
Lance will start at five-eighth in the only other change to the starting line-up, while hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau is set to play his 150th match of Super Rugby.
The Force have been competitive in almost every game this year, with five of their six losses coming by nine points or less.
“We lost two close games at home the last two weeks,” Lance said.
“And because of that, we’re in a position where we need to get at least one win on this two-week tour.”
Lance said it had been nice for the players to get away from Perth, while the saga surrounding which Australian team will be axed from the competition continues to drag on.
Either the Rebels or the Force will be axed ahead of next season, but the situation has become complicated with both franchises threatening the ARU with legal action.
Force: Marcel Brache, James Verity-Amm, Curtis Rona, Billy Meakes, Alex Newsome, Jono Lance, Ian Prior, Isireli Naisarani, Matt Hodgson (capt), Brynard Stander, Adam Coleman, Ross Haylett-Petty, Tetera Faulkner, Tatafu Polata-Nau, Pek Cowan. Res: Heath Tessmann, Francios van Wyk, Shambeckler Vui, Lewis Carmichael, Richard Hardwick, Mitchell Short, Luke Burton, Peter Grant
Piru
Guest
Tell you what rebellion You keep making your negative little comments (Well the same negative comment over and over) and I'll support my team and ignore you.
Piru
Guest
You're talking to the wrong bloke about stats and figures mate.
ScottD
Roar Guru
all hail RahRah - the peoples poet
Pinetree
Guest
I don't think rating the Sharks off one game is fair Piru. The sharks would of been very disappointed with that effort. The Sharks beat the Brumbies in Aus and beat the Tahs 37-14 in SA. They did lose away to the Reds in Aus but this is a home game for the Sharks. Fact is the Skarks have won 66.7% of their games and have only lost 2 times (both with a losing bonus point) and had a draw. The Force have won 2 games and have lost 6, and out of those 6 losses the force have only managed 1 losing bonus point, which means that 5 of those losses were beyond 7 points. Honestly the best of luck, but there is a difference between hope and supporting your team, and realistic expectations based on the on field evidence and form.
Rebellion
Guest
A sad collection of 'has beens' and nobody's who will get pumped this weekend. 11 years running and zero finals appearances - I wish the ARU would just do what's right
RahRah
Guest
KING RICHARD III: The Force! the Force! my kingdom for the Force! CATESBY: Withdraw, my lord; I'll help you to the Force. KING RICHARD III: Slave, I have set my life upon a cast, And I will stand the hazard of the die: 8 I think there be eight Pr1cks from the ARU in the field; one pr1ck by the name of Clarke have I slain to-day, instead of him. The Force! the Force! my kingdom for the Force! Apologies to the bard.
ScottD
Roar Guru
I back the Force every week in the tipping and will keep doing it. We have asked some serious questions of every team this year. I like the style we are playing , just want another year to let the boys get it working a bit better
Kirky
Roar Rookie
The Forcies', our boys, our boys, ~ you are playing the best rugby out of all the Australian Franchises, and I personally have enjoyed ''your stuff'', so in Africa, all you need to do is play just as you have in the last two games and you'll cause damage! Go hard Force boys, you deserve anything good if you can get it!
kickedmyheight
Roar Pro
I don't know if I would say "hilarious" Jock, but thanks for the support.
Jock Cornet
Guest
Good luck to the force , it would be hilarious if they got cut then made the semis. It's anyone's
kickedmyheight
Roar Pro
Hear hear!
piru
Roar Rookie
The support is greatly appreciated on this side of the country gents, thank you
piru
Roar Rookie
Yes - the new fella would be Verity-Amm For some reason I keep thinking Amity something. I back the Force against anyone, any week - I've watched Richie McCaw look despairingly around as the clock runs out and The Force are ahead - Dan Carter hands on hips and head down - we can beat anyone.
kickedmyheight
Roar Pro
Verity-amm I believe. :) I quite like the look of the roster as a whole, a lot of young promising talent. If we can keep it together with the obvious coaching talent we now have (at last!) we could give things a real shake next season especially! We are still a real shot at making the finals given our run home and the form of the other Aus sides and if we hosted a final at NIB we would be a chance against nearly anyone! I am eternally optimistic! Go Force!
ScottD
Roar Guru
You mean the "new fella" on the wing whose name you can't remember? :) I agree, we do have great defence so keeping the Sharks down to 1 or less try can be achieved. I think they are a chance too mate, I just know we have to play out of our skins and attack straight and hard
Mac
Guest
A Reds supporter firstly, but the Force I do back and they always give it a red hot go. Go the Force, Keep the Force.
wag
Guest
Western Force is the one team that should NOT be cut ! ........> The most competitive, never-say-die team, despite a horrible injury-toll to its main players); The most loyal and passionate of any Aussie crowds; And now they are starting to produce their own WA players. Perth is also a sensible place to play fixtures for ALL Super Rugby teams, on their way to or from S.Africa. Keep it up Force! ( From a Queenslander! )
piru
Roar Rookie
These Sharks only managed 9 against the Rebels - and I may be biased but I rate our defence well above Melbourne's. We've lost Peni, Morahan and DHP but we still have Rona and Meakes, Newsome and the new fella on the other wing. That's not a bad backline - and how many of those names did anyone know before the start of the season?
ScottD
Roar Guru
Unfortunately there is a big difference between being competitive and having attacking penetration Their seconds team definitely has heart and I am a big fan but it does lack attacking penetration. Finding tries is their biggest problem Still.... Go The Force!!!!!#!!!
Demak
Roar Rookie
Considering the lack of depth, the lack of so called 'name players' and the poor run with injuries these boys are punching way above their weight. Good luck to Force, you are doing your supporters proud