Western Force vice-captain Nick Champion de Crespigny says the playing group still has plenty to play for in Saturday’s Swyftx Super Rugby Pacific season finale against the NSW Waratahs.
The Force and ‘Tahs are both out of finals contention heading into the final round clash at HBF Park, which is the WA side’s Members Game, celebrating and recognizing the Club’s Members.
The Force has won four of its past five games and five of its past seven, improving its record to 6-7 with one game to play.
One more win would secure the Force the record of second most Club wins in a single Super Rugby season. Already this campaign has been the Force’s most successful in the five-year Super Rugby Pacific span.
“I think within the group we’re still hugely motivated to finish the season how we deserve to,” Champion de Crespigny told reporters.
“We've got our own ambition to sort of be a really successful Force team and put a performance on that we’re proud of.”
The Wallabies enforcer admitted last week’s narrow home win over the Fijian Drua was “bittersweet”, with their finals fate determined by missing out on a bonus point.
The disappointment of missing finals was still raw for Champion de Crespigny but he pointed to positives from the season.
“You’ve seen in the back end of this year how we’ve managed and controlled the games, which we probably didn’t do at the start,” he said.
“The small margins matter. We’ve had a few close wins now, which at the start of the season we weren’t able to come away with the win in those tight games.
“I think the group has really learned and we’ve grown a lot over the year.
“It comes back to our game-drivers. They have really had a strong voice.
“They have come back to us and we’ve got a clear plan, which we have developed throughout the week and able to implement for 80 minutes.”
Champion de Crespigny made an impact with his own performance against the Drua with a game-high 28 tackles, but he continues to expand his attacking game, with six carries and one defender beaten.
“I want to work on both sides of the ball,” he said.
“It’s something I really enjoy and trying to add that other dimension to my game it’s something ‘ve been working on with Crono and the other coaches.”
Saturday’s game kicks off at 5:35pm WST at HBF Park, with tickets available from $28 for adults and $14 for juniors through Ticketmaster.
