Super Rugby Pacific: Western Force coach Simon Cron excited by experienced additions for Crusaders clash

Adding a combined 300-plus games worth of Super Rugby experience back into his team could not have come at a better time for Western Force coach Simon Cron. With the Crusaders in town for Saturday’s clash at HBF Park, the Force are set to welcome 95-Test veteran Kurtley Beale into their starting 15 on debut, while veteran forwards Izack Rodda (quad) and Michael Wells (knee) return from injuries to start on the bench. The Force and the Crusaders have found themselves moored at the bottom of the Super Rugby table and as they enter the second half of the season, Cron said the experience the trio would provide was vital. “He (Beale) also brings confidence to some of the boys in front of him — Donno (Ben Donaldson), Hamish Stewart, Chase Tiatia, these guys really benefit from having that voice behind them,” he said. “Wellsy is that guy, he is a leader that can calm the ship a little bit and you can see that in the games he’s played so far. “Rodds is just gonna go there and do his job and focus on what he can do. “It is nice to bring guys on with a little bit more experience; previously, we’ve been bringing guys into the game in pressure moments when they’re only just learning and starting and that can be tough on them as well.” With captain Jeremy Williams a week away from a return, and props Siosifa Amone, Angus Wagner and Harry Hoopert also nearing a recovery, Cron said it would cause some welcome selection headaches. “Selection’s 80 per cent of your job, I was once told, and sometimes you’re not so much selecting, but trying to help the guys who are available to get on that field,” he said. Off the back of their hiding at the hands of the Blues, Cron said the response from the playing group had been instant and impressive, even with a weekend off last round. But he was wary of the threat posed by the reigning champions Crusaders, who have only won once this season but still boast All Blacks Joe Moody and Owen Franks in their front-row. “Just look at their team list; the front row they’re rolling on and then rolling on again post that,” Cron said. “They’ve got explosive outside backs, very experienced, they’ve had a lot of player movement last year to this year. “(Richie) Mo’unga, (Sam) Whielock, they were huge parts of that team and sometimes I think people forget that. “The loss of them has hit them a little bit, but there’s enough great players on that field.”