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'We can play better': Western Force banking on famed resilience to bounce back from Hurricanes thumping

(Photo by Kerry Marshall/Getty Images)

Western Force coach Tim Sampson is confident his team’s famed resilience will help them rebound strongly from Friday night’s 43-6 trouncing at the hands of the Hurricanes.

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The Hurricanes ran in seven tries to nil in the one-sided romp, with the Force’s first game in NZ since 2017 proving to be a painful affair.

Things won’t get any easier for the Perth-based franchise, who face NZ champions the Crusaders in Christchurch next Friday.

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The Force were thumped 42-14 by the Brumbies in round six of Super Rugby AU before winning the next three games in thrilling fashion to secure a maiden finals berth.

Sampson is confident his team will rebound strongly again.

“That will sting a bit for sure,” Sampson told AAP about the loss to the Hurricanes.

“I said to the guys it’s a test of true character both as individuals and as a team how you bounce back.

“We’ve been a resilient group, and I’m sure we’ll address that game pretty quickly and then get back into a good preparation.

“They’re a strong group. We’re hugely disappointed with the game. We can play better.

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“At one point there it was 23-6 and we were pressing their line. If we get a try there it would have been 23-13 and could have steamrolled home, but it wasn’t to be.”

The Crusaders won Super Rugby Aotearoa for a second straight season this year and loom as the team to beat in the trans-Tasman competition.

Sampson said the Force will relish the challenge.

“It’s all exciting for our club, because we haven’t played against these guys for four years,” Sampson said.

“The opportunity we have wearing the Force jersey playing Super Rugby against NZ teams is fantastic.

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“There’s guys here who would have been watching the Crusaders play for a number of years in Super Rugby and probably thought they might not get the opportunity to play against them.

“Now they do.”

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R
RedWarrior 1 hour ago
Three-way race to be number one in World Rugby men's rankings

IF SA and NZ win then its 1,2,3 SA/NZ/IRL Otherwise as you were. This is largely irrelevant beyond bragging rights.


As I have pointed out elsewhere the practical use of the Rankings is to determine the seedings bands for the RWC draw. The draw takes place early 2026 and hopefully the rankings will be taken from then.


Important to be in the top 6, the top 12. (and likely the top 4).

This is because there are now 6 groups in the RWC 2027.

If you are in top 6 you are in Seeding Band 1. That means none of the other top 6 will be in your group.

Seeding Band 2 are teams from 7-12, who will have a top 6 team but no other 7-12 team.

After England's defeat by NZ there is clear water between NZ in 3rd, France in 4th and England in 5th. England are desperate for top4, ill come back and explain why later.

Lets look at Seeding Band 1 and 6th place. If you make 6th, no top 6 team is in your group, you are top dog. If you win your group, you won't be facing a top 6 team in your 1/8th final, you will be facing a weaker team. If you fail to make 6th place you WILL have a top 6 team in your group and if you don't win your group you WILL (probably) meet a top 6 in the 1/8 final. That's massive.


Its Argentina holding 6th now. Assuming England hold 5th, then its a 4 horse race for 6th. Argentina, Scotland, Italy and ...Australia. (ranked 6,7,8,9)

Australia play the Lions in NH summer 2025 they are running out of time to get up to 6th for their own RWC. They MUST make a move now. They must beat Wales and they really must beat Scotland to gain points and take points off them. Could they surprise England or Ireland? England may be the better bet but Schmidt knows Ireland so well having masterminded their downfall in France.

Another one to watch is Italy V Argentina. Italy are ambitious and they will want to start pushing the likes of Argentina. If they win this they are still in the hunt. Well worth a watch either way.


Top4: I think the top 6 will be seeded, all the way through from the draw. If thats the case then the top 4 will be seeded to avoid each other until the semi. Good for more certainty around ticket sales etc. That's a possible reason why England want in there. You're not in there you are hitting a top 4 team in a QF. That's an extra 50:50 match you can do without and avoid by being top 4.


Lets look at what Seeding bands might look like with todays rankings:


Seeding Band 1

IRE/SA/NZ/FRA/ENG/ARG

Seeding Band 2

SCO/ITA/AUS/FIJ/WAL/GEO


Sample Aussie strongest pool opponent and 1/8th final opponent if in top 6

Strongest pool opponent: FIJI

1/8 final opponent GEORGIA

Prognosis: advance to 1/4 and potentially beyond


Sample Aussie strongest pool opponent and 1/8th final opponent if NOT in top 6

Strongest pool opponent: SOUTH AFRICA

1/8 final opponent NEW ZEALAND

Prognosis: You know the prognosis


I am pretty sure this is not lost on Joe Schmidt?


Keep in mind when enjoying the matches.

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