Western Force scrum-half Nic White has underlined the importance of Saturday’s Super Rugby Pacific Culture Round clash with the Fijian Drua which he says is worth double points.
With four rounds to play in the Super Rugby season, the Drua are eighth on 17 points, with the Force in 12th on 10 ahead of Saturday’s clash at HBF Park from 7:55pm WST.
"It's an important one for us, a really big game," White told reporters on Friday ahead of captain’s run.
"Worth double points against Fiji and we need to start getting some momentum.
"With four weeks to go there's certainly still a chance, and it starts tomorrow night."
Opta Stats also show the Drua have won only once in their 20 Super Rugby away games since their inception in the league.
On the flipside, Drua duo Iosefo Masi (56) and Selestino Ravutaumada (41) are two of just three players to have beaten over 40 defender this season (also Mark Tele'a from the Blues, 47).
The Force lost to the Drua 31-13 in Fiji in Round 6 in torrential conditions with heavy rain and a water-logged pitch but White said it was hard to draw much from that.
“That game was a bit different,” White said. “Not a lot to take out of that.
“Felt like we were playing in a swimming pool over there in Fiji. Certainly an experience that I’d not had before.
“Tomorrow will be a bit different. Hard and fast deck which will suit the way we want to play but also the way they want to play. Should be an exciting game. Looking for a much different result.
“You look after the day-to-day, you look after this week, don’t look too far ahead, both in our season and for personal honours.”
White’s personal honours reference related to the fact he was talking alongside Wallabies head coach Joe Schmidt who is in Perth to watch the Force first hand on Saturday night.
Tickets are available for the Force-Drua game via Ticketmaster, along with the Force’s Flexi Membership, with four tickets to any of the remaining three games for only $75.
This is Schmidt’s first to Perth since being appointed Wallabies boss in January, and he flagged a few Force players who’d caught his eye.
“A number have,” Schmidt told reporters, having already noted locks Izack Rodda and Sam Carter. “Obviously I know Whitey from old.
“Ben Donaldson obviously was the incumbent Wallaby 10. His acceleration, his ability to challenge the line and distribute well and have been very evident.
“Jeremy Williams has gone very well. There’s a number we continue to keep an eye on.”
The Australia coach was also asked about 95-cap utility back Kurtley Beale, who is on the comeback trail at the Force having last represented the Wallabies in 2022.
“Kurtley is just finding his feet again,” Schmidt said. “Even talking to Nic about Kurtley, he’s had an influence with his calm experience form the back field which is helping the guys in front of him.
“Then there’s his own athletic abilities that are very useful from the back.”
“I’ve coached teams against Kurtley and he’s shredded us. I know what he’s capable of.”
Tickets to the Wallabies-Springboks game in Perth on Saturday 17 August are available now via Ticketmaster.
RugbyWA are also holding their annual Rugby Championship Long Lunch on Friday 16 August, with details and tickets available here.
Saturday’s game will be preceded by the WA Championship Grade clash between the Mandurah Pirates and Bunbury Barbarians from 5:25pm. Gate 1 opens at 5:10pm for the curtain-raiser.
