2/13/2014
By RugbyWA Media Unit


Western Force captain Matt Hodgson says there is an air of confidence and enthusiasm within the squad with the start to the Super Rugby season just around the corner.

The Force is preparing to play the Pampas XV in their final trial match on Friday, before their Super Rugby season kicks off against the Waratahs on Sunday, 23 February in Sydney.

The Pampas XV are a team boasting some of Argentina’s best domestic players and will compete in the 2014 Pacific Cup against the likes of Samoa, Tonga and Fiji.

Friday’s match is set to be a tighter affair than last week’s 66-point thrashing of Samoa A in the Force’s first pre-season match.

Hodgson said the team is looking forward to getting another solid 80 minutes under their belt.

“Having been here since 2005 you have seen a lot of stars come over but this is the best feeling we have had amongst the team,” he said.

“The combinations have come together quite quickly and you’ll see again this weekend those combinations come out against the Pampas XV.”

Hodgson said he is looking forward to playing against the little known Argentinian side.


“We don’t know a lot about the Pampas side but we know they’ve got 18 internationals,” he said.


“They are going to be tough, strong around the scrum and set piece, so we are looking forward to that battle.”

Hodgson said having good team chemistry and a tight squad is integral to the Force’s success this season against squads boasting more international experience.

“Our motto is we win together and lose together,” he said.

“One person is not going to win the game, it’s the whole outfit; not just the 22 that gets picked each weak, but the whole squad that turns up from Monday to Friday.”

Hodgson also praised coach Michael Foley, in his second year at the club, for installing confidence in the younger players.

“It’s good to have a coach for a whole preseason and for the 12 weeks, there is that consistency with the main playing squad,” he said.

“We know the style we want to play and we have had a good 12 months under our belt now.”

Hodgson also said the side has taken the momentum from their final win against the Brumbies in the 2013 Super Rugby season and will look to use that moving into the Super Rugby season.

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