Cron bullish on 'quick fixes' after first-up Hurricanes defeat

Fri, Feb 23, 2024, 3:33 PM
NT
by Nick Taylor
Western Force head coach Simon Cron and vice-captain Nic White spoke to the media following the Round 1 defeat to the Hurricanes.

Western Force coach Simon Cron is confident quick fixes can turn the side around in the wake of Friday night's disappointing 44-14 loss to the Hurricanes in the opening round of the Super Rugby Pacific season at HBF Park.

And co-captain Nic White said it was not all doom and gloom with players itching to make amends.

The Kiwi outfit crossed for six tries, scoring 22 points in each half. The Force ran in their two tries from White and Chase Tiatia after the break.

Cron said problems could be fixed ahead of Friday night's clash with the Rebels in Melbourne.

"There are some quick fixes happening," he said.

"The key thing for us is consistency, making sure we're competitive.

"It's about making sure we stick to what we want to do.

"Some of the triggers. Are they fixable? Yes. Those boys can fix them.

"We'll fix them."

Cron said the side "panicked a little bit" after winger Harry Potter's third minute yellow card and some players needed to curb their enthusiasm.

But he was pleased with the start of the second half when they got to within 14 points of the 'Canes.

"We started to play front foot football, making them think, getting across the gainline, but we've got to be stronger when we roll on those boys at set piece time.

"Some of them (players) try too hard.

"I'm happy for them to try hard, they've just got to stay within the system.

"Guys try and over play. We've got to get that out of our game."

He said the side needed to improve in the last quarter.

"We have got to be better in the last 20 minutes. We gave away a lot. There was lack of cohesion," he said.

"We've got to keep putting good on good."

White said the next game could not come quick enough, with the Force to face the Rebels on Friday night at AAMI Park in Super Round.

"It's going to be one of those weeks where Friday night in Melbourne can't come quick enough and guys are going to be itching to right the wrongs," he said.

White said they went away from their "systems and processes" under pressure.

"They are quick fixes for us," he said.

"It wasn't doom and gloom. We saw in patches, when we do it, it works.

"We had some good glimpses. High pace, high skill. That's how we want to play the game.

"When the pressure came on we were a little too quick to go away from it.

"We are going to have to hang a bit tougher.

"It's not all pretty out there and we are going to have to roll our sleeves up.

"We'll be a lot better for tonight."

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