Acting Western Force head coach James Stannard says Sunday’s Super Rugby AUS Grand Final loss left the side hurting and concedes lapses in concentration cost them.
The Force went down 33-26 to the NSW Waratahs in Sunday’s decider at Wanneroo Rugby Union Club, but the home side had led 26-19 entering into the final 10 minutes.
The ‘Tahs, however, found a way to score twice in the final period to clinch victory and lift the inaugural Super Ruby AUS trophy.
“The boys have got a lot of hurt in their eyes and in their body language,” Stannard said after the game.
“We definitely had the chances to ice a game there, some lapses in concentration cost us.”
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Leading 26-19 with 20 minutes to go, the Force won a scrum within 5m of the try line but turned it over. The ‘Tahs forwards piled on the pressure in the final 10 minutes, with Clem Halaholo scoring, before Austin Durbidge’s game-winning try in the last play.
“It’s a really good learning for us around concentrating,” Stannard said.
“Our concentration is putting back-to-back positive moments on, we did some good things and then we knocked off for a couple of seconds, which hurt us.
“The big learning is just staying engaged for longer periods.
“We definitely had a chance to ice a few things. If we were a bit smarter around that, we would have sealed the game earlier.”
The new Super Rugby AUS competition provided a raft of opportunities from a playing and coaching point of view.
Former Aussie 7s coach Stannard himself got the opportunity to lead the side as head coach, with Simon Cron taking a back seat during the tournament.
“The tournament has been great,” Stannard added. “It’s fantastic for us as a coaching staff. We’ve been making plenty of mistakes, that’s for sure, and learning a lot. "
Five Force players were named in the Super Rugby AUS Team of the Tournament on Monday in Max Burey, Vaiolini Ekuasi, George Poolman, Henry Robertson and Mitch Watts.
Stannard added: “It’s been excellent for our playing group, especially the guys who didn’t get much playing time last year.
“Some guys that have come up from the Academy and had a chance to express themselves.
“I’ve personally really enjoyed the experience with the lads. They made it really enjoyable with their attitude.
“I couldn’t fault their attitude. They were committed. They were enthusiastic around being here which made it really exciting.”
The Force squad will now take a four-week break before pre-season for the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season commences in early November.
The squad will be boosted by the likes of new signings George Bridge, Nathan Hastie, Darby Lancaster and Franco Molina in pre-season.
2026 Force Memberships are now on sale, starting from $145 per adult and $59 per junior.
