NICK TAYLOR, The West Australian
January 11, 2011, 7:12 am



The Western Force must make a good start to this year's Super rugby competition if they are to have any chance of making their first finals series in the new format.

Last year they fell in an early season heap, mainly because of injuries, and finished second-last on the table.

In this season's opener away to Queensland on February 20 the Force will be out to avenge last year's 50-10 drubbing, but they also need that first win because they have a bye in the second round.

Captain Nathan Sharpe, who returned to training yesterday, acknowledged the importance of a good start.

"We need to get in a position where we can consolidate and make a move towards the end of the competition," he said.

"Finals is our goal and that doesn't change.

"We need to pick up that first game. Second week we've got a bye, we don't want to be chasing things from there.

"It is a bit strange with the bye in the second week, but it's probably not a bad thing for us, particularly with the Wallabies coming back.

"It gives those guys a bit more of a chance to get up and running."

Last year's injury ravaged season opened the Super door to a number of players.

"Look at the guys that came in and filled the breach," Sharpe said.

"A guy like Ben McCalman had not played Super 14 rugby until last year.

"We lost a lot of back-rowers early on. He came in, played well off the bench, then got a starting go, then ended up at No.8 for the Wallabies.

"That sort of rapid transition really helps our team and that wasn't just an isolated case.

"Guys like hookers Ben Whittaker and Nathan Charles, those sorts of guys came in and played a lot of rugby last year. That experience is invaluable."

The Force coaching structure has changed this season with head coach Richard Graham bringing in assistants Nick Stiles and Phil Blake.

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