Taking on the ladder-leading NSW Waratahs holds no fears for the emerging Western Force according to captain Trilleen Pomare.
The Force will host the title favourites NSW at UWA Sports Park from 3:05pm WST on Saturday knowing that a victory will clinch a maiden Buildcorp Super Rugby Women’s semi-finals berth.
The 2-1 Force sit third on the table following Saturday’s 19-5 loss to the reigning back-to-back champions Fijian Drua, who moved up to second.
Above both sides are the Tahs who have won three from three, including an impressive 62-21 victory away to the Drua, stamping themselves as the team to beat.
The Waratahs boast a long list of current Wallaroos in their ranks too, including Emily Robinson, Eva Karpani, Sera Naiqama, Layne Morgan, Georgina Friedrichs, Grace Hamilton and Piper Duck.
When asked about taking on the Tahs, Pomare told SkyPacific: "We know they're a running team. I think our D (defence) is up for it.
“We've just got to get home and recover and go on the next job."
The Force could’ve clinched their maiden Super W semi-finals berth in Laukota on Saturday but were unable to get the win despite plenty of possession and field position.
The wet and wild conditions didn’t help their cause but Pomare said the Drua handled it better.
"Tough (conditions) to be honest,” she said. “Fiji brought it today.
“That's their conditions. They love transition rugby. And they beat us around the park today.
“Gotta give credit where it's due. They deserved the win.”
After trailing 12-0 at half-time, the Force pressed for a way back with Rosie Ebbage dotting from a driving maul, but the visitors couldn’t turn all that into points.
"I thought in that first half we were a little bit hard done by,” Pomare said.
“We got so many penalties and not many results and outcomes. We had one yellow card from it.
“We just couldn't capitalise at the end of the day. Gotta be better."
Pomare also brought up a quarter-of-a-century Super W century in Fiji, and she added: “It’s cool to get a bit of recognition. I would’ve loved to get a W but not our day today.”
Saturday’s game at UWA Sports Park is free entry. It will also be streamed live on Stan Sport, with regular updates at @WesternForce on social media.
