Wallaby Adam Coleman backs Force to thrive

Sep 18, 2016 - 7:00 PM Wallabies lock Adam Coleman is adamant the Western Force have a bright future, but only time will tell whether his prediction rings true.

Coleman and Dane Haylett-Petty have been recent success stories to come out of the struggling Force, with the pair well on their way to establishing themselves as Wallabies regulars.

It's in stark contrast to the on-field fortunes of the Force, who have won only five games in the past two years, and are yet to ever reach the finals.

The Force's financial position became so bad this year that the Australian Rugby Union formed an alliance with the franchise in what was effectively a bailout.

Although the Force's short-term future is now secure, they need to prove their off-field worth to the Super Rugby competition by the time the current TV rights deal expires in 2020.

If they can't do that, the Force may be cut from the competition.

There are also rumours the ARU might consider axing an Australian team in time for the 2018 season, putting the Force in danger of oblivion yet again.

But Coleman, who was born in Hobart, said he wasn't worried at all about the Force's future.

"There's definitely a massive future for Western Australian rugby and hopefully for a long time," Coleman said.

"The Western Force is a great club and it's going to be an exciting next season under Dave Wessels and other new coaches."

Coleman has been a revelation for the Wallabies during the Rugby Championship.

Although he only has four Test caps to his name, Coleman is already being entrusted with the line-out calls.

It's an area that improved dramatically in recent wins over South Africa and Argentina.

Coleman laid a series of big tackles in Saturday night's 36-20 win over Argentina in Perth, and he said he likes the enforcer role.

"I've always enjoyed the physicality side of it, even as a junior. I'm just lucky enough to do it in the green and gold," Coleman said.

"One of my things is never fearing failure. I try not to doubt myself as much as possible.

"As soon as I put that jersey on, I don't want to doubt myself. I go out there to play my own game and do my role for the team."

Source: AAP