Force not fretting about hovering ARU axe
Jul 14, 2017 - 3:03 AM Western Force coach Dave Wessels believes the Perth-based Super Rugby franchise will enter a golden era if it can survive the ARU's hovering axe.The Force will aim to send off retiring great Matt Hodgson with a bang when they take on the NSW Waratahs at nib Stadium on Saturday night.
But the match could also be their final game ever, with either the Force or Melbourne Rebels to be axed ahead of next season to make way for a reduced 15-team competition.
The South African Rugby Union have already cut the Cheetahs and Kings, with both franchises set to play in Europe's Pro12 next season.
The rugby community in Western Australia have rallied around the Force since news broke the team was on the chopping block.
The Force (5-9) will finish second in the Australian conference behind only the Brumbies if they can beat the Waratahs - an admirable feat given the off-field uncertainty.
And with a host of emerging stars such as Adam Coleman, Richard Hardwick, Dane Haylett-Petty, Chance Peni, and Isi Naisarani at his disposal, Wessels is confident he can have the team in title contention by 2019.
"Probably four or five months ago if you'd have asked me hand on heart, I probably would have said there's no way the Western Force will survive," Wessels said.
"But the way the community has galvanised around the team has given us a real fighting chance.
"If and when we do survive, I think it would be a real turning point for this club in the long term, because it's really galvanised everybody behind the team.
"The old saying, 'Never waste a crisis'. We've certainly done that. The players should be very proud, and the fans should be very proud."
The Waratahs have endured one of their worst ever seasons, with coach Daryl Gibson under fire for the team's 4-10 win-loss record.
Gibson insists he's not a bad coach, and has big plans to turn the Waratahs into a powerhouse outfit next season.
Waratahs lock Dean Mumm will use Saturday's season-finale as his farewell match.
But most of the focus will be on Hodgson, a Force foundation player who has been described as the heart and soul of the franchise.
Games in WA's top-level rugby competition have even been moved forward by 30 minutes so people participating in that can make it to nib Stadium in time to see Hodgson's farewell.
Wessels said something special was in store to celebrate Hodgson's career, but he remained tight lipped as to what it would be.
Source: AAP
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