Brutal 'hard truths' leave Force primed for Blues clash

Western Force captain Michael Wells has given an insight into the team’s brutal analysis of games, saying players need to feel embarrassed at times in order to learn from their mistakes.

The Force were left ruing the one that got away after conceding three tries in the final 20 minutes of last week’s 43-35 loss to the Highlanders in New Zealand.

The result left the Force in eighth spot on the ladder with a 2-2 record ahead of Sunday’s clash with the Blues at Eden Park.

The Force held their review on Tuesday, and a series of home truths were delivered.

“Today was a pretty long, hard look at ourselves,” Wells said.

“Some good hard truths came in, because early in the week that’s what you need before you move on.

“Guys need to see clips, they need to almost be embarrassed by some of the stuff that comes up.

“In terms of the accountability piece, I wouldn’t say anyone shies away from putting their hand up if they have made a mistake.

“The good thing is people can have hard conversations with each other and know that we’re all aiming towards the same thing – winning games and winning the premiership.”

Former Rebels skipper Wells is in his first year at the Force and teams up with his leadership group for something of a ‘good cop, bad cop’ routine.

“I tend to be more of the hardline (critic), because that’s how I review my own self,” he said.

“(Finding a balance) is also about having a mix of personalities in the leadership group

“You’ve got the guys more attuned to that nice, warm shoulder for guys to lean on and help out. I definitely think someone like Bryce Hegarty is a good cop.

“And it’s also (about) not consistently beating someone over the head with a stick.

“It’s knowing when to give a carrot, incentivise people, and then knowing, ‘OK, now we’ve been a bit too nice, it’s time for some hard truths’.

“It’s a fine balance.”

The Blues have had a topsy-turvy start to the season, opening their campaign with a 60-20 win over the Highlanders, losing to the Brumbies 25-20 and beating the Hurricanes 25-19, before losing 34-28 to the Crusaders last week.