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Western Force have asked Super Rugby's governing body SANZAR not to push them into another gruelling New Zealand schedule when they finalise the 2014 fixtures.
The Force have away games against the Highlanders and Crusaders and do not want to face the same scenario as this year when they flew 68,000km in the competition.
That trek included flying from Perth to New Zealand for the clash with the Chiefs in Pukekohe but instead of staying in NZ for the customary second game, or playing an east coast team on the way home, they were forced to return home for a match against the Sharks. Three weeks earlier they had played the Hurricanes in Wellington.
Coach Michael Foley said at the time that his side had been "significantly disadvantaged" by the schedule.
The Force have also asked for an easier start to the year after they played five of their first six games away from home in 2013, partly because of the redevelopment of nib Stadium.
They will play the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein and Stormers in Cape Town on their South African leg but will host Super Rugby champions the Chiefs and the Blues.
They will also play the reinstated Lions and Bulls at home. All Australian sides are played against both home and away.
Meanwhile, yesterday was the deadline for embattled Wallaby James O'Connor to present evidence on the Perth Airport incident to the Australian Rugby Union.
O'Connor was allegedly intoxicated when he was escorted from the terminal by Australian Federal Police officers on September 15. He was refused entry to an Air Asia flight to Bali at 5am, hours after the Wallabies' one-point win over Argentina at Patersons Stadium.
He had been travelling with his girlfriend when an argument began over ticketing arrangements.
O'Connor, suspended by the Wallabies, has admitted drinking but has denied being drunk.
The ARU, which has asked the AFP for its information, stood O'Connor down for failing to uphold team behavioural and cultural standards. A decision on his future will be made next week.
If the ARU is not satisfied by O'Connor's explanation, it could upgrade the matter to a code of conduct.
That could see O'Connor lose his Wallaby contract, though when Quade Cooper faced a similar charge after his "toxic" comments last year he was hit with a $40,000 fine.
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Originally Posted by chibi
