Forwards must lift against the Chiefs

Western Force coach Michael Foley is looking for a big improvement from his side's scrum when they take on Super Rugby champions Chiefs at nib Stadium tonight.

Coming off their first back-to-back bonus-point wins, the Force are now looking for only their second set of three consecutive victories since 2007 when they beat the Hurricanes, Reds and Sharks all at Subiaco.

But to beat the Chiefs for only the second time in eight attempts the forwards have to lift their set piece work and avoid getting sucked into the ruck.

"Our scrum needs to improve from last week. We didn't have a good night in the scrum," Foley said.

"We weren't good enough in that area against the Highlanders and we have to be better this week."

Foley said that under the new scrum laws players should be supporting their own body weight on the bind but teams were moving their feet, leaning in and creating instability.

"We have to be stable to get eight guys working in unison. If we do that we'll get a good result," he said.

"We'll cope with that over time. It's a learning curve.

"We also have to make sure that, as their clean-outs come through the ruck, they don't obstruct us. That's something where sides have been caught.

"You get taken into the ruck and that opens up holes. We've got to make sure we take control of that."

Although the scrum may need improvement, tighthead prop Kieran Longbottom was in the best form of his career in the victory over the Highlanders.

Two highlights stood out - his huge tackle on Chiefs prop Chris King that eventually led to Nathan Charles' try and his last-ditch effort to push Chiefs replacement fly-half Hayden Parker wide as he crossed for a try to bring his side within two points. Parker's attempted conversion then fell short.

"Kieran's effort to go 80 minutes at tighthead prop is something he had not done before … definitely his best game of the year," Foley said.

"When we were down to 13 men he made an outstanding effort. He didn't make the tackle (on Parker) but the kick hits the upright and crossbar and bounces out.

"Had he made a little bit less of an effort that kick may have gone over."

Even if they get the scrum and ruck right, the Force still have to deal with the competition's form fly-half Aaron Cruden.

Sias Ebersohn, who had his best all-round game against the Highlanders, particularly in defence, will be eyeing Cruden off.

We weren't good enough … against the Highlanders and we have to be better this week."Michael Foley