Western Force hooker Tom Horton says the benefits of competing against the Cheetahs in the four-game Toyota Challenge will be “massive” for the young squad ahead of the 2024 Harvey Norman Super Rugby Pacific season.
Horton, 26, was named Player of the Match for an outstanding performance in the 30-27 Game 3 victory in front of almost 3,000 fans in Mandurah on Friday evening.
The Force’s victory came after losing both games narrowly in South Africa to the Currie Cup-winning Cheetahs, meaning the Toyota Challenge is poised at 2-1 ahead of Game 4 on Saturday 7 October from 3pm WST at Claremont’s Revo Fitness Stadium.
Horton was among a young Force forward pack in Game 3, that included new signing Lopeti Faifua who impressed at lock, as well as Jackson Pugh who scored a try from a quick set-piece line-out early in the second half.
“I think it’s massive,” Horton said. “Not many of our guys would’ve played against boys that big (like the Cheetahs).
“It’s a great learning experience as we’re going to come up against big sides next year. It’s building confidence that we can keep up with them.
“Big Lopeti has really come along way in these two months. It should be really exciting to see him next year.”
The Force had led 13-3 in the first half but were required to fight back from 17-13 down at half-time to claim the win in a back-and-forth contest.
Horton added that it was pleasing to see some key lessons from the two losses in South Africa applied successfully this time out.
“We started out pretty fast,” Horton said. “We had the same problems we had in South Africa, letting them back into the game.
“I think the stuff we worked on the last three weeks - staying in the fight, staying physical - came through in the last 10 minutes.”
When asked about the focuses for Saturday’s game in Claremont, he added: “It’s about the same stuff we’ve been working on the whole series - maul defence, execution and staying in the fight the whole time.”
Stand-in Force co-captain Max Burey was one of the standout players on Friday evening and echoed Horton’s sentiment about the lessons from South Africa.
“I think it gave us a blueprint,” the 24-year-old fly-half said. “We learned from the first two games that we need to kick better.
“I think tonight we kicked smart kicks. We didn’t really execute. I had a few dead. But I think the intent was there and it allowed us to play zero phases in our half. It took what was good for them away from them.
“Individually guys will pick up little things to work on but as a team it was a really good effort.”
Tickets for Game 4 at Revo Fitness Stadium are on sale now via this link.
Match Details
Western Force v Cheetahs
Revo Fitness Stadium, Claremont
Kick-off 3pm, Gates Open 1:30pm
How To Get Tickets?
Tickets are available online via this link or on the gate.
Members can purchase GA Tickets at a discounted rate of $10 per game through their Membership renewal or new Membership purchase as add on at the checkout.
GA Tickets to the public can be purchased via the link for $15 per game. GA Tickets at the gate will be $20. Purchase your tickets now via this link.
