The Western Force clash with the Highlanders at HBF Park on Saturday is crucial to the fortunes of their SMARTECH Super Rugby Pacific season.
The bonus point picked up in the last round loss to the Queensland Reds left the Force in sixth place on the ladder with 15 points, but the Highlanders are hard on their tails, just three points behind and with a game in hand.
The Force have a bye after the Round 8 clash and coach Simon Cron told reporters during the CD Dodd Conference after training on Friday: "It's a critical game. It's a double pointer really."
He said the bye was irrelevant until after Saturday's game (kick-off 4.35pm, live on Stan Sport and 9Gem).
"It's making sure that on that field we play that game 10 seconds at a time, focus on what we can do," he said.
"That's the most important thing.
"We have to execute better in key moments especially the last 10 minutes of the game."
Cron believed the side had improved in the "kill zone" close to the opposition line in the last few games but core fundamentals were still important.
"Key core stuff makes a big difference to our game," he said.
"Defence and attack, contact zone dominance, defensively we chop and roll and get on our feet.
"You control what you can control.
"We control field position, territory and the ball in our hand.
"We've got to build position. Power position is very important for us and making sure we can control it."
The Highlanders, coached by former Wanneroo Districts player and WA State representative Jamie Joseph, will be looking to arrest a run of three defeats.
Cron said they were a side that thrived on chaos.
"Lot of tries from counter-attack. Quick throw, quick tap," he said.
"Lot of key things in the Highlanders game that you see around what the Highlanders have been in the past, the contact zone.
"Their back go. There's speed in those outside backs, some strength in the inside backs." Homegrown Force flanker Carlo Tizzano is this season's leading try scorer with 10 and has already broken Scott Staniforth's club record of nine that stood since 2006.
Tizzano has not scored in his two previous appearances against the Hurricanes, but Cron said he would be focused on the team game.
"Carlo's going well," he said.
"The key thing for him is that he needs to climb again this week and start from the bottom.
"He drives himself.
"It's off the back of a lot of key guys. They do it together.
"It's team first, it's a team sport and he would be the first person to say the tries come off the back of what the team do."
Centre Sio Tomkinson will bring up his 50th Super Rugby appearance.
Cron said he was a passionate player with plenty of experience.
"He's been bringing all of those positives to our team," he said.
"Every time he puts the jersey on, every time he goes across the white line you know what you're going to get from him and it's going to be 150 per cent.
"We're really excited to be part of his 150th and the boys will back him to the hilt."
Cron has made two changes to the starting side, bringing in hooker Brandon Paenga-Amosa and back-rower Vaiolini Ekuasi.
Western Force team list
Starting XV; Marley Pearce, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Tom Robertson, Jeremy Williams (c), Darcy Swain, Nick Champion de Crespigny, Carlo Tizzano, Vaiolini Ekuasi; Nic White (vc), Ben Donaldson, Dylan Pietsch, Hamish Stewart, Sio Tomkinson, Harry Potter, Mac Grealy
Reserves; Nic Dolly, Atu Moli, Josh Smith, Reed Prinsep (vc), Will Harris, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Max Burey, George Poolman
Game details
SMARTECH Super Rugby Pacific Round 8
Western Force vs Highlanders
Saturday 5 April, 4:35pm WST
HBF Park
Live on Stan Sport & 9Gem
Tickets available via Ticketmaster
