Force ready to sink Bulls with a birdie

How do you defeat a Bull? With a birdie of course.

The Western Force’s finals hopes are on thin ice following a four-match losing run, with the team to start as rank underdogs in Saturday night’s Super Rugby clash with the Bulls in Pretoria.

Coach Michael Foley is confident his charges will soon rediscover their best form, especially with a full training week finally under their belt.

A horror fixture list to start the season meant the Force have often struggled to squeeze in enough training sessions in the lead-up to games.

Five of the Force’s first seven games were away, with two six-day breaks making matters harder.

Normally, a trip to South Africa makes for an even tighter schedule.

But with an eight-day break between games, Foley says his team have been able to hit thousands of golf balls this week – in a metaphorical sense.

“It’s silly that we’ve actually had to come to South Africa to get a full training week in,” Foley said.

“Since we’ve played the Waratahs in round one, this is the first time we’ve been able to train three times in a week.

“It’s like a golfer – you’ve got to hit a certain number of balls each week to be in the right frame technically and mentally for the weekend.

“It’s been very difficult, but we certainly haven’t used it as an excuse.

“We still feel there were times we could have controlled things in games better.”

Foley said the losing run hadn’t dented the team’s spirit.

“The mood from the players is very good. They’re very determined,” Foley said.

“And they’ve had a lot of input this week.

“When the mood falls low in teams, people sit passively and almost watch things happen.

“But the guys have been very proactive in becoming involved.”

The Force enter the round in 12th spot.

But with six of their last nine matches to be played at home following the team’s trip to South Africa, the Force are optimistic they can make a late charge up the table.

The Force welcome back fit-again fullback Luke Morahan against the Bulls, while flyhalf Sias Ebersohn has won back his starting spot from Zack Holmes.

“Two years ago when we played the Bulls in South Africa, Sias played very well that night,” Foley said.

“He understood how to play the Bulls and how we want to play.

“And he was a big part of our success against them in Perth last year.”

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