Force gladly take on role of Super Rugby spoilers

[The InnFORCEr]

Nick Taylor
April 21, 2015, 7:33 am



Returning Western Force captain Matt Hodgson says the side can still salvage something from their season. Pic: Lincoln Baker/WA News

Returning Western Force captain Matt Hodgson believes his side can become Super Rugby spoilers in coming weeks.

Four of the Force’s last seven games are against the Chiefs, Waratahs, Highlanders and Brumbies, who are all in the race for a finals spot.

But Hodgson believes the Force have the capacity to salvage something from the wreckage, starting with Friday night’s clash with the Chiefs in Waikato.

“Hopefully we can upset a few of those who think they are going to win the title,” he said.

“We can push them and get the results other people don’t think we can get. It’s a tough task, but you always enjoy playing against the best. We’ll front up ... there’s still a lot to play for.”

Hodgson has recovered from the hamstring injury that sidelined him for the first three months of the season and will play against the Chiefs.

However, the Force will be without influential scrum-half Alby Mathewson (knee) and second-rower Sam Wykes (foot) after both were injured in Saturday night’s loss to the Stormers.

Ryan Louwrens, who is yet to make his Super Rugby debut, has travelled to New Zealand as the reserve No.9 behind Ian Prior. But fly-half Zack Holmes remained in Perth, leaving coach Michael Foley without a specialist back-up for fly-half Sias Ebersohn.

Centre Luke Burton, who played fly-half for Australia in the 2013 and 2014 Junior World Cups, is likely to step up, having trained in the role lately.

https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/sp...ugby-spoilers/

[valzc]

Zack injured?

[GIGS20]

Maybe, but Luke has seemed to be the better option to this point.

If Sias gets hurt against the Chiefs we'll see whether he has the goods in glaring detail.

[Herbasimplex]

we need to win some games to play the spoiler role

If we get up on the weekend it'll be because baby Jesus said so - the miracle on the Waikato.

everything crossed for the weekend.

[GIGS20]

Yes, Herb, we're on a hiding to nothing in the Waikato. I won't, however be surprised whichever way this result goes. Last year, we took on the Chiefs when they were at their peak, coming away with a famous win, We have also THIS year failed spectacularly against some teams which we should really have beaten. The Cheetahs, Reds and, to a lesser extent, the Rebels and Stormers.

If we win, I would suggest that we arrange for a crowd of 5000 or so who Hodgo can feed with 5 loaves of bread and two fillets of snapper....it's about all we've got in our favour!