Tough NZ tour breeds opportunity for Force concreter

The Western Force will be aiming to notch their third win of the season when they take on the Highlanders in New Zealand.

He’s a concreter by trade, but Western Force back rower Rahboni Warren-Vosayaco wants to do everything he can to make his Super Rugby second coming a prolonged one.

Warren-Vosayaco was working as a concreter in Sydney last month before answering an SOS call from Force coach Simon Cron to join the Perth-based franchise on a short-term injury deal.

The 27-year-old was thrust straight into the starting line-up for last week’s 21-18 win over Moana Pasifika, and he will start again in Sunday’s clash with the Highlanders in Invercargill.

Warren-Vosayaco previously played for the Sunwolves in Super Rugby, and he spent time on the fringes in the Waratahs’ program.

He wants to make sure his stay at the Force isn’t a short one.

“Everyone would like a full contract, but in saying that, I’m one to live in the moment,” he said.

“I’m here in NZ for the next three weeks and I’ve got to make the most of these opportunities.

“A month before this, I was concreting. To be here and having these opportunities is massive for me.

“It’s a big focus on making the most of these opportunities.”

The Force are 2-1 after posting wins over the Rebels and Moana either side of the embarrassing 71-20 loss to the Queensland Reds.

The Highlanders sit on bottom of the table after opening their season with heavy losses to the Blues (60-20), Crusaders (52-15) and Chiefs (28-7).

But there is plenty of talent on the Highlanders’ list, and they will be looking forward to taking on an Australian opposition for the first time this season.

Cron wasn’t happy with many aspects of last week’s win over Moana, and he wants to see a much smarter performance against the Highlanders.

“It’s a case of we gave them a lot of ball. It was our rugby brain decision (that let us down),” Cron said..

“We gave them ball either by kicking it or trying to offload when it wasn’t on.

“So it’s just really about what decisions we’re making in key moments of the game.

“This week we talked a lot about situational awareness. I would expect us to control territory and possession better than what we did last week.”

The Force, who also take on the Blues and Hurricanes during their three-match tour of New Zealand, have been bolstered by the return of skipper Michael Wells from concussion.