Fresh off a nail-biting one-point win against Brisbane City, Canberra Vikings captain Darcy Swain is relishing the chance to tackle a battle-hardened Western Force side in Perth on Saturday with the Canberra squad buoyed by the potential return of a number of capped Wallabies.
The Vikings have made a strong start to the National Rugby Championship season with two wins and a loss having them sitting in third place on the ladder. There is no tougher challenge at the moment than defeating the Force on their home turf with the West Australian’s the clear pacesetters after three rounds.
However the game pans out, history points to it being a tight tussle with the biggest winning margin by either side in their five previous clashes being 10 points. It will be a rare trip west for the Vikings, the only time the club has ventured across the country was in 2015 where they recorded a three-point win.
“The Force is a team that has had time to solidify what they are about,” Swain said.
“They have a very strong set-piece and pride themselves on their scrum with some tough biggies upfront, if we can front-up there this weekend I think we will be alright.
“We are just keen to rip into them and see what they have got,” said Swain.
Having welcomed back Wallaby backrower Rob Valetini in their close win against Brisbane City, and with Joe Powell and Australian flyer Tom Banks in the wings, the Vikings have a formidable squad to select from. Throw in round three rising star nominee, flyhalf Noah Lolesio, and the Canberra outfit have the weapons to stretch the Force.
“We came out of the blocks hard against Melbourne Rising in round one and then took a backwards-step in a few areas in the loss to Queensland Country the following week. We responded well at home and two wins from three matches would suggest that we are on the right track but there are still a lot of things we want to get better at so this will definitely be a good challenge for us,” Swain said.
“Having a couple of Wallabies in the squad helps heaps… but everyone has bought in and there are guys both young and old who contribute.
“There were a couple of times last weekend where Pete Samu said a few things and then went out and backed them up against Brisbane City, really leading by example. Everyone jumps on board and follows those experienced players and it is really useful having them in our squad.”
Round Four – National Rugby Championship
Western Force v Canberra Vikings
Saturday, 21 September 2019 at UWA Sports Park, Perth
Kick-off: 3.00pm AWST
Previous Results
2018: Canberra Vikings 29 – 19 Western Force at Viking Park, Canberra (Vikings by 10)
2017: Canberra Vikings 33 – 26 Perth Spirit at Viking Park, Canberra (Vikings by 7)
2016: Canberra Vikings 36 – 42 Perth Spirit at Viking Park, Canberra (Spirit by 6)
2015: Perth Spirit 23 – 26 Canberra Vikings at UWA Sports Park, Perth (Vikings by 3)
2014: Canberra Vikings 23 – 28 Perth Spirit at Viking Park, Canberra (Spirit by 5)
