Force urged to play it again and again

Consistency and depth will be crucial for the Western Force as they travel to New Zealand today for their Super Rugby clash with the Highlanders in Dunedin on Saturday.

The Force banished their starting woes with a dominant first half in the 32-7 win over the Rebels on Saturday.

The win was the Force's first four-try bonus-point victory in 28 games and moved them off the bottom and into mid-table.

However, coach Michael Foley is determined to ensure his players remain focused for their first overseas trip this season.

"One win doesn't make a season, as one or two losses don't," Foley said. "Consistency was something we spoke about a lot during pre-season. We have got to make sure we take the things we did on Saturday and repeat them.

"We have got to go on the road again now and it's a big challenge.

"They (Highlanders) are coming off a bye, but we believe in the hard work that we've put in."

Foley may not have the depth of other Australian sides, but young second-rower Adam Coleman and local prop Ollie Hoskins made their mark. Coleman, in particular, was outstanding in his first appearance.

"We have an expectation that the guys who come on are not second choices," Foley said.

"We have had a lot of impact off the bench, a lot of high impact and energy.

"We still have a lot of guys that have not played a lot of football together.

"We'll persevere. We'll get better. That was a nice performance this early in the season.

"The first two weeks, unfortunately, we didn't get it right, but two games into a 16-game season there was nobody throwing out the baby with the bath water.

"We had to identify the things that we weren't doing well.

"We've got to keep working on those things.

"Our focus was very much on that first quarter. The boys went out there and worked hard.

"We've got to make sure we take the things we did (against the Rebels) and repeat them."

The Force have no serious injury problems going into the game at Forsyth Barr Stadium.

Foley hopes to strengthen the travelling squad with the return from injury of forwards Hugh McMeniman and Chris Alcock.

"We'll persevere. We'll get better. That was a nice performance this early in the season."" Force coach *Michael Foley *