Western Force facing a must-win
Western Force utility back Scott Staniforth admits the club's top-four hopes will be over if they fail to beat Super 14 rivals Queensland Reds in Perth on Friday night.
The Force managed just two wins and a draw from their opening six games and find themselves a daunting 10 points adrift of the fourth-placed Bulls.
The Reds, with just two wins to their name, are also fighting to keep their season alive following their thumping 50-26 loss to the Chiefs.
"The finals are no chance if we don't win," Staniforth said.
"If we don't beat the Reds then we are dreaming pretty much if we want to make the final four.
"We've got to focus everything on the Reds and then go from there.
"If we drop this then we don't deserve to be in the final four.
"You have to win your home games and we've dropped two at home now and if you drop three at home it's going to be hard to make the finals."
Staniforth predicted a high-paced attacking game against the youthful Reds, who have rebuilt their list in recent years.
"They're a young side building and I suppose they had a two or three year plan but they are fast forwarding that because they are playing such good footy," Staniforth said.
"They'll really test us.
"It should be a very exciting game.
"Usually interstate clashes are dour games but they play an exciting brand, we play an exciting brand so it should be good.
"They've got exciting backs like ourselves, and the forwards are very mobile like ours as well, so it should be a cracking game."
The Force, who will be bolstered by the return of No.8 Richard Brown and winger Cameron Shepherd, must improve their record at home if they are to make a late season charge up the table.
In 22 appearances at Subiaco Oval, the Force have just won eight games and Staniforth was at a loss to explain the poor return.
"I suppose if I could put my finger on it we'd be turning it around," he said.
"Maybe we've been a bit more relaxed at home previously but who knows, we've just got to start winning there at the end of he day."
Staniforth, who is set to continue his career in Japan next season, said his troublesome left knee was holding up well after off-season surgery.
The 31-year-old former Wallaby is just seven games shy of notching a ton of Super rugby appearances.
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