The Western Force have not spent much time looking in the rear-view mirror as they drive confidently towards Saturday’s SMARTECH Super Rugby Pacific Round 4 clash against the Waratahs at Allianz Stadium.
Coach Simon Cron said a large part of the post-game process was player driven and they had learned plenty from the first two round wins and last weekend's heartbreak loss to the Queensland Reds.
"Our players are very self-aware. They are very good at analysing the game," Cron told reporters during the CD Dodd conference from Sydney on Friday.
"By the time we come in as leaders Monday morning they have already done it. They know the answers.
"We just guide them around, how we can help that in big moments.
"We've had a lot of chat around 'small things matter' and how to get better.
"The boys have been laser-focused on each game, what they can learn in terms of what's critical and making sure we refocus on the next week.
"You can't look in the rear vision mirror too long. You've got to pick out of what we need and keep driving forward."
Returning Force captain and Wallabies second-rower Jeremy Willams, who is back after missing the Reds defeat with head injury protocols, will be one of a handful of ex-Tahs players facing old mates.
"There's definitely friendships and relationship when they play people they know that always create a different angle," Cron said.
"But it's about us and what we do.”
Will Harris starts at blindside flanker after spending time on the bench and Cron said: "We probably don't win those first two games without Will Harris coming off the bench, adding his speed and work rate around the park.
"This week we think he complements the starting team.
"He brings a huge engine, great skills, he's fast and strong down the edge, great line-out tactician and jumper."
Wallabies hooker Brandon Paenga-Amosa is another change, making his starting debut with Tom Horton on the bench.
"Horses for courses," said Cron. "They all have different positive attributes.
"BPA is a really solid scrummaging hooker. It's his time in the sun, he gets to step forward.
"Horton adds speed with a high work rate from the bench.
"It's important we use our squad.”
He said the Waratahs would be confident after their wins over Fijian Drua (29-24) and the Highlanders (37-36).
"They've got some big bits of meat in their forward pack and some speed on the edges."
He said it was critical they were "really stable" against the all-Wallaby front row of Angus Bell, David Porecki and Taniela Tupou and speed out wide of Darby Lancaster, Max Jorgensen, and Andrew Kellaway.
The clash is part of a double header at Allianz Stadium, coming after the Western Force second round SMARTECH Super Rugby Women's game against reigning champions Waratahs.
The Force snatched a last-gasp 29-all draw with the Brumbies in Round 1 while the Waratahs were beaten 23-17 by Fijian Drua, who lost 50-14 to the Waratahs in last year's Grand Final.
Both games will be broadcast live on 9GEM and Stan Sport.
The women kick off at 2.05pm WST, the men at 4.35pm WST.
Game details
SMARTECH Super Rugby Pacific Round 4
NSW Waratahs v Western Force
Saturday 8 March, 4:35pm WST @ Allianz Stadium
Live on 9GEM and Stan Sport
