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'We can play better': Western Force banking on famed resilience to bounce back from Hurricanes thumping

By AAP
(Photo by Kerry Marshall/Getty Images)

Western Force coach Tim Sampson is confident his team’s famed resilience will help them rebound strongly from Friday night’s 43-6 trouncing at the hands of the Hurricanes.

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The Hurricanes ran in seven tries to nil in the one-sided romp, with the Force’s first game in NZ since 2017 proving to be a painful affair.

Things won’t get any easier for the Perth-based franchise, who face NZ champions the Crusaders in Christchurch next Friday.

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The Force were thumped 42-14 by the Brumbies in round six of Super Rugby AU before winning the next three games in thrilling fashion to secure a maiden finals berth.

Sampson is confident his team will rebound strongly again.

“That will sting a bit for sure,” Sampson told AAP about the loss to the Hurricanes.

“I said to the guys it’s a test of true character both as individuals and as a team how you bounce back.

“We’ve been a resilient group, and I’m sure we’ll address that game pretty quickly and then get back into a good preparation.

“They’re a strong group. We’re hugely disappointed with the game. We can play better.

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“At one point there it was 23-6 and we were pressing their line. If we get a try there it would have been 23-13 and could have steamrolled home, but it wasn’t to be.”

The Crusaders won Super Rugby Aotearoa for a second straight season this year and loom as the team to beat in the trans-Tasman competition.

Sampson said the Force will relish the challenge.

“It’s all exciting for our club, because we haven’t played against these guys for four years,” Sampson said.

“The opportunity we have wearing the Force jersey playing Super Rugby against NZ teams is fantastic.

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“There’s guys here who would have been watching the Crusaders play for a number of years in Super Rugby and probably thought they might not get the opportunity to play against them.

“Now they do.”

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Bull Shark 3 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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