Acting Western Force head coach James Stannard has identified the breakdown as the key to victory against the ACT Brumbies in Saturday’s Super Rugby AUS Round 2 game.
The Force could clinch a spot in the Super Rugby AUS decider with a win against the Brumbies at Tompkins Park from 2pm WST, after a bonus-point triumph over the NSW Waratahs in Round 1.
Saturday’s game is free entry for all patrons, preceded by the Force-Brumbies’ Super Rugby Men’s U19s game.
The Brumbies, who went down 36-26 to the Queensland Reds in Round 1, will pose a major threat to the Force, with a strong line-up named including Luke Reimer and Declan Meredith.
“They’re pretty ruthless around the breakdown,” Stannard told 91.3 Sport FM.
“They’ve always been that. They’ve got some really quality players in their loose forwards.
“They’re going to hunt the breakdown and try and slow that down. You’re going to see a team that’s going to try and disrupt our attack a lot.
“They did that all Super season. A good example was last year’s trial where they kind of pulled our pants down a bit around that. We’ll remember that and are planning for a real contest around the breakdown area both sides of the ball.”
The Force have been boosted by 95-cap Wallaby Kurtley Beale’s return to the starting side, having impressed with a 50-minute cameo off the bench against the ‘Tahs.
“When he comes in, everyone gets a bit calmer and their timing is nice,” Stannard said. “His ability to communicate on the field is elite. He brings this calmness to guys around him.
“Isn’t he moving well for an old fella? Age is just a number. He’s been really good for us. The young blokes like Boston in the centres, he’s been a good ear for them. They’re learning a bit of IP around what to do on the park.
“KB has been training well. He’s a calming influence on the boys which is needed especially with some youth.”
Stannard, who played for Palmyra when he first moved to Perth in his playing days, was full of praise for fly-half Max Burey who was named the Super Rugby AUS Player of the Week.
“I thought Maxy controlled the game the best he has for a long time,” Stannard said. “He looked confident. He absorbed a bit of pressure and didn’t sway away from what we wanted to do.
“That’s a really good sign that he’s confident and comfortable in what we’re doing. I thought he was excellent Maxy.
“I thought his kicking game was good. He took on the line when needed and he got the ball to space as well. Big wraps on Maxy last week.”
Western Force team list
Starting XV; Marley Pearce, Albert Alcock, Tiaan Tauakipulu, Mitch Watts, Darcy Swain (c), Will Harris, Kane Koteka, Vaiolini Ekuasi; Henry Robertson, Max Burey, Viliami Fine, Kurtley Beale, George Poolman, Justin Landman, Mac Grealy
Reserves; Wes Thomas, Max Sawers, Sean Paranihi, Max Johnson, Titi Nofoagatotoa, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Henry Palmer, Ronan Leahy
Game details
Western Force vs ACT Brumbies
Saturday 20 September, 2pm WST
Tompkins Park, Alfred Cove – Palmyra RUFC
Free entry
Live on rugby.com.au’s YouTube channel & Stan Sport
Preceded by Force-Brumbies U19s game from 12pm
