Time for Force to turn up consistently: Mitchell
Western Force coach John Mitchell has challenged his see-saw Super 14 side to prove they are good enough to turn up two weeks in a row - starting against the most consistent side in the history of the competition.
After a freezing week in Queenstown, the Force flew into Canterbury today to try and prolong the miserable start of the six-time Super rugby champion Crusaders, who have lost three matches in a row and legion of stars to injury.
Beefing up the pack with the inclusion of David Pusey and Richard Stanford, and giving James' O'Connor another start in the midfield, Mitchell said the squad had to own this week to not turning up last week - and a consistent level of performance was now the aim.
"A lot of it has got to do with attitude, and there is certainly been an acknowledgment by the guys of a lack of turning up last week," Mitchell said.
"The challenge for us is to stop being this on and off team and build a habit - and that is challenge that still exists for us going into this match.
"It is time for us to start taking some responsibility, and start sending a message that we don’t want to be this on and off team."
The Crusaders have been further rocked by injury, with today losing stalwart prop Ben Franks for six weeks with a broken foot which requires surgery.
He has been replaced by Bronson Murray in one of three changes to the forward pack that started last week's 6-0 loss to the Highlanders in Dunedin.
George Whitelock replaces the injured Richie McCaw as openside flanker while lock Isaac Ross pushes Ross Filipo to the reserve bench. Flanker Kieran Read regains the captaincy from McCaw.
In an amazing selection by coach Todd Blackadder, not a single back will wear the same jersey number as last week, with three new faces introduced around a complete reshuffle.
Mitchell said despite the apparent holes in the Crusaders armour, he would not be underestimating his countrymen.
"They certainly still believe in themselves, they will be back at home - there will be an element of desperation and real test of their character," Mitchell said.
"They have very capable footballers coming in so we cannot afford to treat them lightly let alone think they are going to be vulnerable.
"It is up to us to create some doubt and expose them in areas where they are lacking confidence."
Western Force: Drew Mitchell, Nick Cummins, Ryan Cross, James Aleconner, Cameron Shepherd, Matt Giteau, Josh Valentine, Tamaiti Horua, David Pocock, Richard Stanford, Nathan Sharpe (capt), David Pusey, Ben Castle, Tai McIsaac, Pek Cowan Res: Luke Holmes, AJ Whalley, Tom Hockings, Matt Hodgson, Chris O'Young, Junior Pelesasa, Haig Sare.
Crusaders: Leon MacDonald, Adam Whitelock, Tim Bateman, Ryan Crotty, Colin Slade, Stephen Brett, Kahn Fotuali'i, Thomas Waldrom, George Whitelock, Kieran Read (captain), Isaac Ross, Brad Thorn, Bronson Murray, Jason Macdonald, Wyatt Crockett. Reserves: Dan Perrin, Owen Franks, Ross Filipo, Nasi Manu, Tyson Keats, Hamish Gard, Blair Cook.
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