A much-changed Western Force face a must-win game against Fijian Drua in Saturday's Round 14 SMARTECH Super Rugby Pacific clash in Lautoka.
The Force need bonus-point wins from the game at Churchill Park and their final match at home to the Waratahs the following Saturday to be a chance of making the finals.
Returning home from the game in Fiji (kick-off 11:35am WST and live on Stan Sport) will bring up 55,250 kilometres of weary, long-haul, zig-zag season travel that coach Simon Cron is unhappy about.
Cron told reporters during the CD Dodd Conference after Friday's Captain's Run that the squad had spoken about the need for a bonus point win and cutting down the Drua's ability to score from anywhere on the field.
"We chatted about it and we're all on the same page. That's what we need," Cron said.
"Ideally our defence holds up and shuts that try frenzy down from their side.
"That's the plan. They naturally get up at their home stadium, amazing support."
Cron has made a number of changes to the side with fatigue taken into account in resting winger Harry Potter, centre Hamish Stewart and scrum-half Nic White.
"We've got to be smart around flying them here and then flying them back and trying to play them," Cron said.
He said Potter was carrying niggling injuries and playing Stewart would be "flogging a dead horse".
Cron had considered resting Ben Donaldson but the playmaker was "upbeat" and he changed his mind.
New fly-half Alex Harford, 25, who joined on an injury cover contract and has NPC experience with Auckland and Canterbury, will make his debut.
Harford, Australian qualified through his grandmother, joined the squad several weeks ago.
"He's a great game driver, really smart rugby brain," Cron said.
"He's a guy we think long term could be really beneficial."
He was chosen ahead of Max Burey because of his different strengths.
"Max has got a heap of spark and speed and footwork, Alex is more restrained and corner based," Cron said.
"Alex is more of a kicking 10. It's horses for courses. A slightly different approach."
Cron said being Australian qualified was crucial for the club's future.
"One of our biggest jobs is to create Wallabies and to produce the next tier of players for Australia," he said.
"Being Australian qualified makes it so much better for us if we can add those guys from outside the current rugby framework of Australia.
"We've got to be finger on the pulse and tracking those guys."
In other changes Perth Bayswater centre Reesjan Pasitoa is back in the starting side for the first time since Round 5 with back-rower Reed Prinsep and centre Sio Tomkinson in the run-on team after coming from the bench in the loss to the Brumbies.
Wallabies hooker Brandon Paenga-Amosa, after four games out with an ankle injury, second-row Sam Carter, back-rower Titi Nofoagatotoa, winger George Poolman and scrum-half Issak Fines-Leleiwasa are back in the matchday 23 squad.
Captain Jeremy Williams will bring up his 50th Super Rugby appearance.
"He's a leader of men. The boys follow him," Cron said.
"He's got a really good temperament in the game.
"He's working really hard on his game constantly week on week.
"We have a lot of good catch-ups on what he's trying to do, where he wants to go and how much he wants to improve.
"What you're seeing at this end of the season is the best."
Cron said he had made it "pretty clear" to Super Rugby that he was not happy with the amount of travel and time zone changes the Force have had this season with 45 nights spent away from home.
He believes they can reduce travel by 40 per cent with better blocks of home and away matches.
"The zig-zag nature of home and away and given a bye at the end of the season for the highest travelled team probably doesn't make a whole lot of sense," he said.
"I made that pretty clear, face-to-face early on, when we had a meeting with Super Rugby coaches.
"Super Rugby organisers probably need to have a look at how they do that and be smarter around those decisions.
"This year zig-zagging was a different beast. It's not an excuse.
"The boys never mention it, never complain about it, just keep driving forward."
Teams
Western Force starting side: Ryan Coxon, Nic Dolly, Tom Robertson, Jeremy Williams (c), Darcy Swain, Will Harris, Kane Koteka, Reed Prinsep; Henry Robertson, Alex Harford, Mac Grealy, Reesjan Pasitoa, Sio Tomkinson, Bayley Kuenzle, Kurtley Beale.
Reserves: Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Atu Moli, Tiaan Tauakipulu, Sam Carter, Titi Nofoagatotoa, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Ben Donaldson, George Poolman.
Fijian Drua starting side: Haereiti Hetet, Tevita Ikanivere (c), Samuela Tawake, Mesake Vocevoce, Isoa Nasilasila, Etonia Waqa, Isoa Tuwai, Elia Canakaivata, Philip Baselala, Kemu Valetini, Taniela Rakuro, Tuidraki Samusamuvodre, Iosefo Masi, Ponipate Loganimasi, Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula.
Reserves: Mesulame Dolokoto, Peni Ravai, Mesake Doge, Leone Rotuisolia, Kitione Salawa, Leone Nawai, Inia Tabuavou, Selestino Ravutaumada.
Game details
Fijian Drua vs Western Force
Saturday 17 May, 11:35am WST
Churchill Park, Lautoka
Live on Stan Sport
