Avoiding last place is Force's sole objective
Western Force have three Australian derbies remaining to avoid Super Rugby's wooden spoon, the unwanted title they last held in their 2006 foundation season.
The challenge starts on Saturday night at nib Stadium with what could be the bottom-place decider against the Queensland Reds who have fallen a long way from 2011 title holders.
The Force are propping up the ladder, two points adrift of the Reds.
They will need to finish off chances and eradicate handling errors, areas where they fell down in last Saturday's 23-3 loss to the Highlanders, if they are to avenge the second round 18-6 defeat by the Reds.
The game could give possible Force recruit, centre Ben Tapuia, a chance to show coach Michael Foley that he would be a useful buy for next year.
The Reds will be buoyed by the return of Wallabies fly-half Quade Cooper who fractured his scapula against the Rebels in Melbourne on Good Friday.
Foley said his side would need to be wary of a Reds team that had shown a more physical side in recent games.
"We're boxing in a weight division that's slightly above us at the moment. That doesn't stop us from believing that if we can convert chances we can come away with wins," Foley said.
"We've got three derbyies in a row and none more important that the next one we play.
"We'll be playing a Reds side that over the last few weeks have been more physical. They have played more direct.
"They have been encouraged to be more physical. They have done some good things with the ball.
"There are some very, very dangerous players. You've seen (scrum-half) Will Genia more in the game than he may have been in some of the earlier games."
The Force blew three first half chances against the Highlanders who showed the home side exactly how to grab them.
"You're not going to blow teams like the Highlanders off the park but you can beat them," Foley said.
"To get to those (scoring) positions you would had to have done a lot of things right. To not finish off means the opposition stay alive.
"We have to take opportunities when they come and take care of the ball a bit better."
