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‘Do stand by that’: Chase Tiatia backs playoff ‘promise’ ahead of Chiefs clash
Before the season had even begun, Western Force recruit Chase Tiatia made a Super Rugby Pacific playoff “promise” to the people of Perth.
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Speaking with RugbyPass in the leadup to their final preseason trail against the Fijian Drua in Brisbane, Tiatia said the Force would “definitely” make the playoffs.
“The ultimate goal is always to win a championship,” Tiatia said more than 100 days ago.
“We’ll definitely be in the playoffs this year… that’s a promise for the people in Perth.”
After losing that preseason clash with the Drua in the western suburbs of the River City, the Force bounced back when it counted.
The Western Force got their season off to an idyllic start with an opening round win over Australian rivals the Melbourne Rebels – former All Black Jeremy Thrush was the hero in February.
But disaster struck a week later. Harbouring hopes of going 2-0 to start the campaign, the Force were outclassed by the Reds in Super Round.
Captain Michael Wells and coach Simon Cron looked dejected as they sat down for their press conference after a staggering 51 point defeat at AAMI Park.
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But fast forward to the final round of the season, and the Force have claimed some major scalps throughout a roller coaster season.
Moana Pasifika, the Highlanders, Drua and Brumbies have all fallen to the Force – and all of those wins came at the fortress that is HBF Park in Perth.
With one round to play in the regular season, the Force sit just outside of a playoff spot in ninth-place. But a win against the Chiefs this weekend could see them sneak into the knockout rounds.
After making that “promise” almost four months ago, Chase Tiatia spoke with RugbyPass again – and ahead of their clash with the Chiefs, the fullback confidently backed his playoff proclamation.
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“I do stand by that,” Tiatia said.
“We just have to win, all we have to do is win and then we’re in. Depending on how results go we could finish seventh.
“I think we’re five from five now so if we win all of our home games we go through.
“Quite confident in the squad or the guys that have been picked to play this weekend, and going up against the Chiefs, I’d say that they’ll rest a few guys knowing that they’ve got a big quarterfinal coming up.
“I’d say they wouldn’t want to travel for a majority of our squad but I mean that’s no excuse for us.”
Away wins have proved hard to come by for the Force this season, but their home form has been a completely different story.
The Force have played with passion, intent and focus in front of their home fans in Perth – and are looking to go six from six at HBF Park this weekend.
“We’re at home, we’ve got all the confidence, we’ve had a good training week so far… the boys are confident, we don’t want to finish our season here,” Tiatia added.
“Five from five at home, we’re starting to get the crowds there as well which is nice.
“I think that just ignites the fire for the boys a little bit more and we want to go out there and show up for our fans and so far we’ve been doing that.”
The Force fell agonisingly short of what would’ve been an historic win over the Highlanders in Invercargill earlier this year, with Sam Gilbert inspiring the hosts to a thrilling 43-35 win.
Close losses to the Blues, Hurricanes and Waratahs followed – but they finally bucked their losing trend with a revengeful win over the Landers back in Perth.
“We’ve lost a few games that we should have got bonus points or even won the game so we’ve made it hard for ourselves coming into this last week.
“We get complacent, we have good wins and then I don’t what it is – we don’t train as hard or the mindset is not quite there.
“Super Rugby is a tough competition to win games and sometimes we forget that. On the weekend, we went in with the mindset that we were just going to roll over the Rebels and then we’d be in the playoffs.
“But we don’t have that luxury, we need to fight for every game, fighting every game and fight for every bonus point.”
The match between the Force and ladder-leading Chiefs is set to get underway at about 8.00pm AWST or midnight on Sunday for those watching on from New Zealand.
Comments on RugbyPass
Think you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
5 Go to commentsI really do believe that Billy Proctor should be selected at least in the larger squad but also it would be my choice at 13, much more a center than Ioane who can still play at wing. Roigard if fit should play, otherwise it should be Perenara or Christie. Also, Iose could deserve a spot at blindside. Of course, being a Canes supporter I’m biased but I really believe that at least Billy P is deserving a chance and being Holland one of the Selectors, I’m having a little hope he could grab it.
12 Go to commentsI would not play Swinton I’d pick Wright or Hanigan. The rest are decent starters, but can’t agree on any subs except Tupou. My take on the subs: Gibbon, Ueslese, Tupou, LSL, Wilson, White, Will Harrison, and Petaia.
5 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
7 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
7 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
12 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
12 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
5 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
7 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
12 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
12 Go to commentsI don’t think anyone knows what Schmidt will do, one thing is certain it ain’t gonna be all the picks we on the keyboard will think. My impression of him is that he will be looking at who can step up and what is the best combination. He will ignore individuals as he looks for guys who can build a powerful team and not just guys who can make a flashy run or ignore the winger as they want to score themselves.
5 Go to commentsSome dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
5 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
12 Go to commentsYou doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
44 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
12 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
12 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
12 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
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