Force aim to bounce back against Lions

The Western Force are still in the hunt for a maiden finals berth despite suffering a loss to the lowly Stormers in Cape Town.

It's not whether you get knocked down that matters; it's whether you get back up again.

That's the attitude the Force are adopting this week as they attempt to get their finals hopes back on track in Saturday night's clash with the Lions in Perth.

The Force dropped to seventh on the Super Rugby table following last week's 24-8 loss to the Stormers in Cape Town.

The Perth-based franchise were starved of possession for most of the contest, and scored their only try of the match in the 72nd minute.

With five games remaining, the Force are still up to their eyeballs in the hunt for a maiden finals berth.

In fact, only four points separates second from eighth.

The Force have built a reputation of rebounding strongly from setbacks this season.

After losing their opening two games, they reeled off a franchise-record five straight wins.

And then after suffering an upset 22-16 loss to the Rebels, the Force scored a gusty victory over the Bulls a week later before knocking off the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein.

Skipper Matt Hodgson said it was time for his team to get up from the canvas yet again.

"We know we can do it and we're full of confidence going into the Lions game," Hodgson said on Monday.

"One game doesn't make your season.

"You've got to look back on what's been working for us and why we've won so many other games.

"Foles (coach Michael Foley) had a good chat straight after the game and I had a chat to them after that as well. We're all back on task and we're ready to go."

The Force will start as hot favourites against the 14th-placed Lions, who lost their fifth straight match in Sunday's 41-13 defeat to the Waratahs.


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Source: AAP


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