Force stay grounded ahead of Chiefs game

[The InnFORCEr]

AAP
Justin Chadwick
March 18, 2014, 10:54 am


The Western Force aren't daring to dream of finals action just yet despite recording back-to-back bonus-point wins for the first time in their Super Rugby history.

The Force followed up their 32-7 trouncing of the Melbourne Rebels with a 31-29 win over the Highlanders in Dunedin on Saturday.

The impressive wins lifted the Force up to equal sixth on the table ahead of Saturday night's clash with the defending champion Chiefs in Perth.

Force marquee Wilhelm Steenkamp, who was part of the Bulls' set-up when they won the title in 2009, said the Perth-based franchise couldn't afford to think too far ahead just yet.

"We're in a great position," Steenkamp said on Tuesday.

"But it's only two wins out of four games - 50 per cent at the moment.

"We are not thinking about playoffs or anything like that.

"The past two weeks have shown the quality of players the Force have.

"We want to make it a great season for us and we are busy getting something special here at the moment."

The Force have the chance to notch three wins on the trot for the first time since 2007.

But it won't be an easy task against the undefeated Chiefs, who have won the past two Super Rugby titles.

The Chiefs will be without utility back Charlie Ngatai (calf), winger James Lowe (knee) and Robbie Fruean, who will undergo a procedure to address a heart arrhythmia issue.

Prop Ben Afeaki, loose forward Sam Cane and halfback Augustine Pulu have been called into the Chiefs' 27-man squad.

The Force could be without in-form forward Ben McCalman, who is facing a suspension over his spear tackle on Highlanders prop Kane Hames.

http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/spo...f-chiefs-game/

[MI5_Dog]

I bet the Chiefs are breathing a sigh of relief now that they won't be facing the Force called Benny Mac-Truck

[SNOB]

Unfortunately they have one or two of their own! Let's just hope they show the heart they have in the last couple of games and I will be happy. If they win a shut the bloody bells up that would probably do me for the season!

[jono]

feel bad for Fruean having to have more surgery. but they will be missing him up the middle that's for sure.

[valzc]

I bet the Chiefs are breathing a sigh of relief now that they won't be facing the Force called Benny Mac-Truck

At least we have MMM I hope - but he and Benny would have been a great duo for Saturday. Hope the boys haven't run out of puff for Saturday after that big game cos it's going to be an even harder match. Plus side also is no injuries for once! Touchwood.
Note to self: bring supaglue to plug up the cowbells.
This is one of the bogans from previous game - 2012 just before he fell backwards over someone, so if you see him give him a good kick in the canastas!

[Flying 14]

Looks like he belongs on a "Most Wanted" poster.,,

[chibi]

This is one of the bogans from previous game - 2012 just before he fell backwards over someone, so if you see him give him a good kick in the canastas!

Send that to Force ground management so that he can be denied entrance to the ground.

[SinBin]

Send that to Force ground management so that he can be denied entrance to the ground.

We need some of that fancy CSI image work to get his face.

[onions]

now if there were some plain clothes coppers wondering about catching people with joints, then all the chiefs' supporters would pay to get in and at least half would be chucked out. Win-win

[Rex Messup]

No chance of an ambush in this game. Pretty tough one for the force. If Ben mc is out, skipper to 8 and alcock to 7. Plenty of backrow stocks although Ben has taken his game to a new level...just outstanding this season

[Flying 14]

Couldn't agree more Rex. He's found extra mongrel this season. Looks like he's been doing a lot of pig shooting in the off season - then eating them raw!

[James]

No chance of an ambush in this game. Pretty tough one for the force. If Ben mc is out, skipper to 8 and alcock to 7. Plenty of backrow stocks although Ben has taken his game to a new level...just outstanding this season

If you do that, you have to start McMeniman over Wykes.

[Rex Messup]

If you do that, you have to start McMeniman over Wykes.

And the problem is...?

[Tonkar]

I think Big Mac has looked at and trained with the other heavies MMM Stander and Co and thought its do or be left behind and as people say heaps of depth and compotition for postions Big MAC still number one on the park

If he shaved his beard off maybe the officals wont notice as the Bogan Chief suppporters wont they still looking for Ritchy

[GIGS20]

Like pretty much everybody else in the world who knows anything about rugby I have DEFINITELY NOT chalked this up in the to win column. That actually removes a lot of pressure for the guys, they just need to go out there, hit every ruck with teverything they've got, have a decent old crack and I'll be a happy camper regardless of score.

You never know, with a couple of injuries and a pretty unassailable lead the bogans might just come over here with one eye on the republic. If all the planets align we might be in for the shock win of the season. I'll be ringing the memberships office on Monday if that happens, because it will just about be enough to confirm me for 2015