Foley: We've gone backwards
Western Force coach Michael Foley bemoaned the fact that his team took a step backwards in their 23-30 loss to the Rebels in Perth on Saturday.
Outscoring the Force by four tries to three, they have beaten the men from Perth twice in one season for the second consecutive year – this triumph being by exactly the same score that they won by in their Round One encounter in Melbourne back in February.
The Rebels have had the wood over the Force since they joined Super Rugby in 2011 – having now won five of their six encounters, including the last four.
Despite their poor record on the road – with just three wins from 20 starts – all the Rebels' away victories have been against the Force in Perth.
While the home side enjoyed its share of attacking possession and crossed for three tries, the Force were unable to make up the eventual difference – taking only a bonus point from the to-and-fro encounter.
Foley said he was disappointed that Saturday's performance did not build on the development the side had shown in its earlier matches.
"That was a game that we could have won," he said.
"Up until this point [in the competition] we've had some results that haven't gone our way but the shape of the game for us has been much, much better previously.
"We're very disappointed with that performance; within the vicinity of 20 turnovers in that match makes it very, very hard for you to build pressure and ultimately we got pipped.
"There was times out there that we could have got other points and I think had we got away with the result tonight, I'd still feel the same way.
"I don't think that was a performance consistent with anything we've done this year."
The Force are at home to the Crusaders next Saturday, April 13.
