Western Force coach Simon Cron had a simple message for his players ahead of Friday's Swyftx Super Rugby Pacific round three clash with Moana Pasifika at Navigation Homes Stadium in Pukekohe.
At the CD Dodd Coaches’ Conference on Thursday he said they should "park the losses" to the Brumbies and Blues in the first two rounds.
"Stick to the process, trust and believe in yourselves," he said.
"There's a lot of belief in the team and there is from me."
The Force have a short six-day turnaround but Cron said the three game tour of New Zealand, with the Highlanders and Hurricanes to come, was galvanising for the 30-man squad.
"They are pretty driven. It's been really good for them." he said.
Cron has made two changes to the starting side with Wallabies winger Darby Lancaster to make his Force debut.
He said he was "ecstatic" to name Lancaster who has recovered from a thigh injury after joining from the Waratahs in the off season.
"You haven't seen the best of him yet," Cron said.
"He has all talent and skill and drive to go a very long way.
"He's got X-factor, he's got speed, he's a student of the game.
"On the edges....it will be great to get somebody who has the experience he has.
"I am ecstatic to get him back."
Hooker Nic Dolly returns for his first appearance since May after suffering a knee injury on the morning of the British and Irish Lions clash in June.
Argentina international scrum-half Agustin Moyano, who has joined from Dogos XV Cordoba, is in line for his Super Rugby debut, named among the reserves.
Cron said he was looking to bed down combinations as the season progresses.
"The big point for us was not to change too much in the first three games," he said.
"Cohesion has always been a big one because of the turnover of players.
"We will start making a couple of changes as we progress because we have guys in behind that we trust to do the job.
"It's going to be a week-by-week thing and combination based as much as we can."
Two areas that will come under the spotlight on Friday will be stopping the powerful Pasifika midfield runners and their own kicking game.
Cron said inside centre Hamish Stewart "always plays above himself" in defense and attack and his midfield partner George Bridge was "defensively brilliant and an amazing player with ball in hand".
Cron said they needed to kick smartly but play a high possession game in the right areas of the field, particularly the opposition half.
Moana Pasifika coach Tana Umaga has recalled the bulk of the squad which secured an historic win over the Fijian Drua in Lautoka two weeks ago, after using eight debutants in the loss against the Hurricanes last week.
Western Force team starting side: 1 Tom Robertson, 2 Nic Dolly, 3 Harry Johnson-Holmes, 4 Franco Molina, 5 Darcy Swain, 6 Jeremy Williams (c), 7 Carlo Tizzano, 8 Vaiolini Ekuasi, 9 Nathan Hastie, 10 Ben Donaldson (vc), 11 Bayley Kuenzle, 12 Hamish Stewart, 13 George Bridge' 14 Darby Lancaster' 15 Mac Grealy.
Reserves: 16 Leonel Oviedo, 17 Sef Fa’agase, 18 Misinale Epenisa, 19 Lopeti Faifua, 20 Kane Koteka, 21 Agustin Moyano, 22 Max Burey, 23Kurtley Beale.
Moana Pasifika: 1 Tito Tuipulotu, 2 Millennium Sanerivi, 3 Chris Apoua, 4 Tom Savage, 5 Allan Craig, 6 Miracle Faiilagi (c), 7 Semisi Paea, 8 Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa, 9 Jonathan Taumateine, 10 Patrick Pellegrini, 11 Solomon Alaimalo, 12 Ngani Laumape, 13 Lalomilo Lalomilo, 14 Tevita Ofa, 15 Glen Vaihu.
Reserves: 16 Samiuela Moli, 17 Abraham Pole, 18 Lolani Faleiva, 19 Ola Tauelangi, 20 Tupou Afungia, 21 Melani Matavao, 22 Jackson Garden-Bachop, 23 Tevita Latu.
Game details
Moana Pasifika vs Western Force
Friday 27 February, 2:05pm WST
Navigation Homes Stadium, Pukekohe
Live on Stan Sport
