Force face early D-day
Western Force face a season- defining game against Australian Super Rugby conference leaders the Brumbies in Canberra tomorrow night.
The season may be only three games old but another loss will severely dent improvement on the record-breaking 2014 season and any finals aspirations.
After a bright start, beating reigning Super Rugby champions the Waratahs in Sydney, the Force have slumped to successive defeats at the hands of the Reds and Hurricanes.
In the big loss to the Hurricanes the Force defence looked a pale shadow of the gritty battlers of last year, but Michael Foley is a measured coach and won't panic.
He will try to take his players back to basics.
Foley said his experiences from last season had shown him that his side could bounce back from adversity.
Although a third loss could throw doubt on early-season expectations, Foley has been quick to point out how fortunes can change in Super Rugby.
His side was in the same position after three rounds last season with two losses and a win, but it was that victory in the third round that started the renaissance as they won the next five.
The Force would have been looking for wins in both their home games and at least one away victory in the seven games before their first bye.
After the Hurricanes loss, a good showing in Canberra is all-important and a win against the Rebels at nib Stadium next Friday is non-negotiable before they head off on a tough trip to face South African heavyweights the Bulls and the Sharks.
The Force have been hit by injuries to key players such as captain Matt Hodgson, fellow forwards Adam Coleman, Angus Cottrell and Francois van Wyk and full-back Dane Haylett-Petty.
Prop Pek Cowan said the players had spent the past few days being tough on themselves.
"We've been hard on ourselves in terms of our standards and making sure that we're in the right frame of mind," Cowan said. "Attitude is the big thing. We always knew the start of the season would be a challenge.
"After the past few games, we need to go back to what works for us and that begins with having the right attitude, making sure that our defence is working well and getting a good feeling in the group.
"A lot of this has to rest with the players. The coaching staff have given us the systems to put in place and we need to be disciplined to ensure we stick to them."
"A lot of this has to rest with the players. The coaching staff have given us the systems …"" *Pek Cowan *
