'Overwhelming sense of frustration': Force vow to make amends after big loss

The Western Force have promised to bring the fire against Moana Pasifika as they attempt to make amends for last week’s 71-20 loss to the Queensland Reds.

The Force leaked 10 tries against the Reds on the way to the second largest loss in the franchise’s history.

Force coach Simon Cron felt his team were complacent at training last week on the back of the round-one win over the Melbourne Rebels.

The playing squad have rectified that this week, and flyhalf Bryce Hegarty is confident the “super fiery” attitude at training will be carried over into game day in front of the Force’s faithful Sea of Blue fans at HBF Park on Saturday night.

“Everyone is really hungry to get back out there and play. It’s good it’s been a short turnaround,” Hegarty told reporters on Friday.

“The lads are looking within, and we’re going to bring some fire this week.

“It (losing by such a big margin) frustrates you.

“You feel that overwhelming sense of frustration and annoyance in the fact it shouldn’t have been the result.

“When games like that happen, there’s only one thing you can look at, and that’s looking within each player and fixing your attitude prior to the game.”

Former skipper Ian Prior said the player group are determined to make amends.

“Definitely we probably took our foot off the gas a little bit (after the win over the Rebels),” Prior said.

“We probably rode the high a bit too long.

“It was a good learning for us. While it all hurts, the best part about it is we’ve got six days to turn it around and rectify that performance on Saturday.”

Lock Jeremy Thrush, who came out of retirement two weeks ago, will captain the side this week after Michael Wells was ruled out with concussion.

“It’s been good for me, he (Thrush) has brought up the average age. He’s made me the third oldest instead of the second oldest,” Prior said with a laugh.

“He’s a quality player and a great fella to play with.”

Lock Izack Rodda (foot), winger Zach Kibirige (hamstring), centre Sam Spink (hamstring), hooker Feleti Kaitu’u (hamstring), Wells (concussion) and lock Jeremy Williams (concussion) are on the injured list at the Force.