Brumbies to take ‘game to new level’ against Western Force as finals race heats up

THE Brumbies head to Perth with revenge of the crucial 2013 loss to the Force fresh in their minds, as they battle to claim top spot on the Australia conference.

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - MAY 29: Jesse Mogg of the Brumbies passes the ball during the round 16 Super Rugby match between the Brumbies and the Bulls at GIO Stadium on May 29, 2015 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Stefan Postles/Getty Images)

FULLBACK Jesse Mogg says the Brumbies plan to “go to another level” in their clash against the Western Force in Perth on Friday.

Chasing a home semi-final in a thrilling battle with the Waratahs for top spot in the Australian conference, the Brumbies face the Force away and then the Crusaders at home in the final two rounds.

They will travel to Perth late, flying on Thursday for Friday’s game, and plan a hit-and-run mission.

CHOKE OF 2012 STILL STICKS IN BRUMBY THROATS

BRUMBY SIO A FAST FOOD LEARNER

“Our intention is to go there on Friday and really take our game to a new level,” Mogg said.

The Force are in last place and favourites for the wooden spoon, although Mogg said they will be looking to spoil the Brumbies’ home finals aspirations, having beaten them in the final round of the 2013 season to crush their hopes of a home semi, instead forcing them to fly to Pretoria.

“That hurt us a couple of years ago, we went over there and played really poorly and lost that game,” Mogg said.

“Our attitude is to go there and win.

“We want to finish the regular season with two wins to give us every possible chance of finishing second and getting that home semi-final.

Henry Speight drives over to score against the Bulls.

“But it’s not going to come easy, starting this week against the Force.

“It was similar to the Blues in 2012, where we thought we just had to turn up and sort of play how we had been playing, and let ourselves down.

“We’ve learned from that.”

Brumbies winger Henry Speight added: “The Force, at this time of year, are a very dangerous side at home.

“Their main focus usually is to knock teams off running for finals, we’re well aware of that.

“We’re not going to take them lightly, especially at home. We’ll try to cover everything this week and leave no stone unturned, knowing what a threat they can be.”

Originally published as Brumbies to take ‘game to new level’ against Western Force as finals race heats up