Western Force v Brumbies: Super Rugby Saturday preview

Western Force still have hope of forcing their way into the top six in Super Rugby Pacific, but they face a huge test on Saturday when a Brumbies side still hoping to top the ladder head to HBF Park in Perth.

The Brumbies stand in third place on the ladder heading into this fixture and are only three points adrift of both Crusaders and the table-topping Chiefs.

Force were just two points outside the top six as this latest round of games got underway, having suffered heavy defeats to Chiefs and Blues in their last two matches.

Western Force v Brumbies betting preview

Cron calls for Force focus

Force head coach Simon Cron has opted to make just one change for this crunch clash, with Will Harris recalled to take the place of Reed Prinsep at blindside flanker.

Veteran Kurtley Beale retains his place at fullback after returning last time out with a try in the 40-19 loss to Blues, in which Carlo Tizzano also crossed to take his try tally for the season to a tournament-leading 12 - four more than any other player.

Openside flanker Tizzano is 2.05 to score a try at anytime against the Brumbies, having done so in the surprise 45-42 victory for the Force in Canberra earlier this season.

This game marks a 20th anniversary for the Force and Cron is hoping to see his players really dial in for the task in hand, telling reporters: "It's important that we go out there and focus on what we've got to do.

"We've talked about it as a player group, being focused and urgent when we first get on that field, making sure everyone is on the same page."

If the Force are to get the job done is it likely to be a tight game, with the hosts 3.40 to triumph by a margin of 1-12 points.

Larkham wary of improving Force

Stephen Larkham has made two alterations to his starting XV for the trip to Perth, with hooker Lachlan Lonergan and second rower Lachie Shaw earning recalls, meaning Tom Hooper moves to number eight.

And the former Wallabies great has warned that the Force are a stronger unit this season than they were last term, although the Brumbies have a decent record in WA, having won on six of their last seven visits to HBF Park.

He told reporters: "Force are a much better team than last year, they've got some really good players in key positions and they're putting it together."

The visitors have plenty of firepower to cause problems for the Force, with prop Allan Alaalatoa having scored tries in five of his last six matches, while wing Corey Toole has touched down six times in his last five appearances.

The Brumbies camp has been boosted this week by scrumhalf Ryan Lonergan signing a new two-year contract and he can be backed at 2.30 to celebrate with a try in Perth.

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Western Force v Brumbies odds

Western Force - 2.50
Brumbies - 1.54

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.