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Story by Chris De Silva • Yesterday 10:37 pm
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Rugby greats have challenged the Western Force to maintain a level of professionalism in order to reach the finals after a stirring win over the Fijian Drua in Perth.
The Force have blown hot and cold throughout the Super Rugby Pacific season, but once again showed that their best can match it with anyone, running away with a 34-14 bonus point win.
Simon Cron's side held the explosive Fijian offence scoreless in the second half as a double to Folau Fainga'a and tries to Manasa Mataele, Jeremy Williams and Carlo Tizzano sealed the victory.
Following the match, Wallabies great Justin Harrison explained what allowed the Force to play some of their best football against a team placed higher on the ladder.
"You get the feeling that Cronny has really spent time on the mental aptitude of these players," he said on Stan Sport's coverage.
"What does it mean to be a professional player versus just a paid player? That is a really big difference and shift for these Western Force players."
"Look, you can play third grade at Wanneroo and turn up on time, that's not being professional," ex-Wallaby Morgan Turinui added.
"You can put the right studs in your boots, that's not a professional player. It's consistent performances, exhibiting the behaviours of an elite group of sportsmen. And he's (Cron) got to pull the stick out sometimes and make sure they will do that consistently.
"It's not good enough to beat the Highlanders (then) get flogged by the Crusaders. Yes, they've come up against the Drua, now the next challenge is consistency."
The Force are set to be boosted by the addition of veteran scrum-half Nic White next season, and Fijian great Nemani Nadolo said White's arrival would continue to help develop the team's efficiency.
"With Nic White coming across, it's only going to boost the young guys in that squad," he said.
"It's going to make them want to push for something as well.
"In rugby it's a mindset. It's training the mind as well and making sure that's on top, especially when these big games come at this back end of the season."
The result leaves both the Force and Drua with identical 4-7 records after 11 games, with the Force eighth, one spot above the Drua on the ladder.
The Force will face the Brumbies in round 13, while the Drua will tackle the NSW Waratahs.
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Originally Posted by jargan83
