Force resolve praised, despite loss

Western Force Coach Richard Graham has praised his team’s resolve, despite suffering back-to-back defeats to the Rebels.

A gutsy second-half fightback from the Western Force fell just short, as the Perth-based side was left to rue an opportunity lost against the Rebels – who snatched a 30-29 win in Melbourne on Friday.

The Rebels had not won since their one-point (26-25) squeaker over the Force in Perth on April 2 last year.

Despite outscoring the Victorians by four tries to three, the Force were left to lament a slow start that let the home side race to a 21-0 lead – before poor discipline gave the Rebels the shots on goal that earned them the victory late in the game.
 
While the Force coach, Graham, was pleased with the way his players responded after going behind early, he was disappointed with the predicament they had got themselves into in the first quarter of the match and some poor discipline that enable Melbourne shots on goal.
 
“At 21-nil there is one of two ways the game could have gone. You either pack up and go home and get pumped or you show some character and resolve and do what we did,” Graham said.
 
“There is resolve in the group because you don’t go from 21 points down to then be leading without having that in the squad, but when you get into situations like we did towards the end of the game you have to manage them better.
 
“I thought we lacked intensity in terms of our defence at the start of the game and that was evident wasn’t it.
 
“The game is really simple at the moment, you need to play field position and it is best to get there as quickly as you can and be disciplined,” Graham added.
 
While there was obvious disappointment in the camp there were at least some positives to take forward, firstly a four try bonus point for the first time since Round Nine 2010, and secondly a wonderful performance by the forwards which was singled out by Graham after the game.
 
“I thought our forward pack tonight was outstanding. I thought our line-out was excellent, our scrum was dominant and they were certainly contributing factors in getting us back into the game,” Graham said.