Force beat the heat and the Baa-Baas
The Western Force kicked off their pre-season trial games with a 40-24 win against the Australian Barbarians in stifling conditions in Sydney yesterday.
With temperatures at times over 40C and high humidity at TG Milner Field, extended breaks were introduced and iced towels used between the three 20-minute thirds.
New recruits David Smith and Alfie Mafi both scored tries, as did the all-Wallabies backrow of Matt Hodgson, who captained the side, Ben McCalman and Richard Brown.
"That was probably the hottest conditions you'd be asked to play rugby in, normally I'd say a game like that would be postponed or even cancelled," coach Richard Graham said.
"I was reasonably happy with some of our early effort in that game given the Wallaby players in our squad was only reintroduced into the rugby part of our programme three days ago.
"I always knew we were going to be a little bit underdone from a rugby perspective however I know the physical gains they have made will hold us in good stead.
"Everything about pre-season is building a foundation for the season and when you get to these games you want them to be as tough as it possibly can because you're about to go into the toughest provincial competition in world rugby," Graham said.
"We probably just lost a little bit of shape as the game went on but that is the challenge, it's not always going to be best case scenario and as a group you need to work your way out if it."
Western Force 40 (Tries: Richard Brown, David Smith, Ben McCalman, Matt Hodgson, Alfie Mafi, Mitch Inman; Conversions: James O'Connor 4, Willie Ripia 1)
Australian Barbarians 24
