Western Force head coach Simon Crom concedes his side simply didn’t play well in Saturday’s 38-7 defeat to the Fijian Drua which ended their 2025 SMARTECH Super Rugby Pacific finals hopes.
The loss left the Force rooted down in ninth spot, six points behind sixth-placed Moana Pasifika with one game to play, ruling them out of playoffs contention.
The Force had started brightly against the Drua, with Sio Tomkinson dotting in the third minute before more concentrated territory and possession.
But the Drua soon took charge, running away convincing victors with a bonus point, leaving Cron to lament the side’s performance.
“We just didn’t play well,” Cron told reporters after the game. “We didn’t build pressure.
“We probably tried to the throw the ball around or kick the ball away and didn’t build phases.”
Force skipper Jeremy Williams, who ran out for his 50th Super Rugby appearance, reinforced Cron’s sentiments.
When asked about their issues, Williams said: “Holding possession, building phases in key areas of the field, our discipline, I thought we let it slip. We gave the Drua great territory and they played on top of it.
“If we can build phases in their attacking zone, make them tackle us, get them fatigued, then we have the ability to score more tries. I think they’re the two big things.”
The Force have one more Super Rugby game against the eighth-placed NSW Waratahs next weekend, which will close out their campaign due to having the Round 16 bye with finals now not possible.
Cron said the team would pick themselves up and get excited for one final tilt against the ‘Tahs in front of the Sea of Blue, with several key players likely to return.
Wallabies trio Nic White, Hamish Stewart and Harry Potter were all managed for the Fiji trip while Nick Champion de Crespigny (head injury protocols), Carlo Tizzano (pectoral) and Dylan Pietsch (quad) are in contention to return if they can prove their fitness.
“Big game for us back at home,” Cron said. “We’ve got to have a discussion around what we did today and fix those things.
“The Waratahs are a big team. Our boys will be excited to play them at home in front of our supporters and fans.
“We’ve got to get on that plane, get back there, get around each other and work on those fixes.
“We’ve got a few guys who’ll come back into the team this week who probably weren’t at their best shape to travel. They’ll be useful additions to the team.”
The Force will celebrate Members’ Round against the Waratahs, with 50 inaugural Members to form a guard of honour as the teams run on pre-game, along with several other activations. Tickets are available now via Ticketmaster.
The Force’s season won’t end there, with the side to play the tour opener against the British and Irish Lions on Saturday 28 June at Optus Stadium. Tickets are available now via Ticketmaster.
