0
STAR flyhalf Matt Giteau admits he has been left frustrated by the Force's inconsistencies during this current Super 14 season.
The Force came from 14 points down in the second half to snatch a 23-23 draw against the Crusaders in Christchurch on Saturday night.
But Giteau, who played a starring role in the comeback, was left far from impressed after the match, saying the Force shot themselves in the foot in the first half when they conceded three soft tries.
A week earlier, the Force, who sit four points outside the top four, also let in three first-half tries in their 31-13 loss to the Chiefs.
"You just can't play a half of football like we did and then expect to win a game,'' Giteau said.
"Although we showed tremendous character in the second half and we came back, it's still frustrating because if we had started well we would have won.
"Everyone feels kind of good going into the game, everyone's enthusiastic, training's well, the preparation's good -- whether it's just once we get out there guys lack knowledge or are a little bit too fired up, I'm not too sure.
"Broadly if you look at it we are on the right track, I just think the little specifics and the little things is where we're lacking at the moment.
"Once we play a complete 80 minutes that's where we will really show what we can do as a side.
"There's a tremendous amount of belief within the group about our skill and character and the players and the squad we've got, it's just a matter of going out and playing a full 80 minutes, which we still haven't done.
"I think all the guys are mentally switched on, it's just collectively guys are making mistakes.
"We've just got to start executing better, defensively we have to be stronger.
"We can't give sides easy points because we know how hard it is to score ourselves.''
With a crucial match against the Sharks to come on Saturday night in Perth, the Force will be sweating on the fitness of wingers Cameron Shepherd (ankle), Nick Cummins (hamstring) and prop Ben Castle (neck/shoulder).
Shepherd is of the biggest concern after he hurt the same ankle he broke while playing for the Wallabies last year.
But No.8 Richard Brown is expected to return after spending two weeks on the sidelines with a shoulder injury.
"I think this game against the Sharks is a big one for us, it could really set our season up with either something positive or the other way,'' Giteau said.
"It's a must-win.''
http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/stor...005401,00.html