Beale keen to extend Force stay and 'absoluetly' gunning for Wallabies return
Kurtley Beale says he would love to play for the Wallabies again, and knows his golden ticket could be earned by guiding the Western…
Western Force coach Michael Foley admits his team’s two-game tour of South Africa is their “banana skin” moment of the Super Rugby season.
The Force are on track for a maiden finals berth after snaring six wins from their opening nine games.
Going on ladder positions, the Force should have little trouble beating the last-placed Cheetahs in Bloemfontein and the 14th-placed Stormers in Cape Town.
But Foley, a former Wallabies hooker, knows all too well about the dangers of slipping up in South Africa, saying it would be naive to think the Force would romp to victories on this tour.
“The travel obviously throws people,” Foley said ahead of Sunday morning’s (AEST) clash with the Cheetahs.
“If you look historically at how many games have been won in South Africa from touring teams – including the Wallabies – it doesn’t happen often.
“There’s a lot of things to throw you off balance because you’re not in your normal routine.
“(The tour) is definitely a banana skin and, if you can get results from it, you’ve done a very good job.”
The Cheetahs rank third for tries scored this season, but their leaky defence has been their downfall.
However, they have proven they can match it with the competition’s best from time to time.
A week ago, they almost knocked off the Bulls, while they drew with the defending champion Chiefs last month.
The Force haven’t won in South Africa since 2011, and Foley wants to see his team break that five-match losing run.
“We’re very keen to try to win and potentially break that hoodoo,” Foley said.
“The Cheetahs are a dangerous team.
“There is no side that is an easybeat side. If your attitude is off and your execution is sloppy, then you’ll get beaten.”
The Force enter the game fresh following last week’s bye.
They’ve also got the stability factor on their side after naming an unchanged squad from the one that beat the Bulls 15-9 a fortnight ago.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.
Kurtley Beale says he would love to play for the Wallabies again, and knows his golden ticket could be earned by guiding the Western…
The Brumbies kept themselves firmly in the hunt for a top-two finish by scraping past the Crusaders on Saturday afternoon. Had they lost, they…
NSW Rugby has confirmed Darren Coleman will leave the Waratahs head coaching role at the end of the season. The Tahs have already begun…
The Wallaroos' loss to the United States was disappointing and, it means the Wallaroos will unlikely qualify for World Rugby’s top tier tournament WXV…
The Wallabies winger went straight over the top of his rival in Wild Knights 20-17 win over Canon Eagles - with a play that…