Getting rid of the 'Yips': Sampson pushes Force for confident showing against Brumbies

Wed, Mar 23, 2022, 11:39 PM
Nathan Williamson
by Nathan Williamson
The Fijian Drua hosted the Western Force at Leichhardt Oval.

Western Force coach Tim Sampson is encouraged by a more relaxed approach to training as they look to topple the undefeated Brumbies.

The Force are eager to build off last week's miraculous victory over the Fijian Drua, with Bayley Kuenzle proving the hero in the 84th minute.

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They face a Brumbies side still looking for improvement after their fifth straight win to start the year, tieing their best start to a Super Rugby season.

With memories of their narrow round one defeat still fresh in mind, Sampson called on his side to 'loosen their shoulders' and play with confidence as they look to cement their top eight standing.

“It’s about encouraging players to play with confidence,” Sampson told reporters.

“In golfing terms, individuals have got the yips with their game. They only need one good moment in training or early on in the game to get through that.

“We spoke about it this week and I think already we’ve seen at training that they’ve relaxed their shoulders a bit. They have to go out and play with confidence, there’s a reason why they are selected in this team and that’s what we’re encouraging.”

Sampson and the Force are eagerly awaiting next week's bye after a brutal start to the season.

Already hampered by the prospect of relocating for the opening period of the competition, the schedule has handed them four six-day turnarounds in the first six weeks.

On two occasions, the short turnaround was compounded as they were forced to travel from the east coast back to Western Australia.

This Friday's clash starts a prolonged home stand for the club, hosting five of their next six games at HBF Park, with the only travel during that stint coming for Super Round.

“We’re in routine now, to have four six day turnarounds in six weeks for the club that has to travel the most, it can take its toll,” Sampson admitted on the tough draw.

“We’ve got such a resilient group, we’re winners not whiners so we just roll our sleeves up and get on with it. You do have the adjust your program no doubt and I’d like to think after having so many in the first six rounds that we are in routine now and we’re starting to get it right.

“It’s important to get the preparation right but straight away the recovery and planning has got to be address pretty quickly.”

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The Force have been boosted by the return of Kane Koteka (knee), Kyle Godwin and Toni Pulu (both concussion) to the starting side.

Argentinan prop Santiago Medrano comes back into the starting side, swapping places with Greg Holmes.

Wallabies prop Tom Robertson remains on the sidelines as he battles a calf complaint.

FORCE (1-15): Harrison Lloyd, Feleti Kaitu’u (c), Santiago Medrano, Jeremy Thrush, Izack Rodda, Fergus Lee-Warner, Kane Koteka, Brynard Stander, Ian Prior, Jake McIntyre, Manasa Mataele, Bayley Kuenzle, Kyle Godwin, Toni Pulu, Jake Strachan

RESERVES: Andrew Ready, Bo Abra, Greg Holmes, Tim Anstee, Ollie Callan, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Reesjan Pasitoa, Richard Kahui,

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