Western Force vice-captain Nick Champion de Crespigny is confident the team can carry the right lessons from the back-half of the season into next year after their finals push once again fell short.
Despite a 19-14 victory over Fijian Drua on Saturday, the Force’s strong end to the season came too late to salvage their finals hopes. The Queensland Reds’ dramatic late win over Moana Pasifika condemned the Force to another finish outside the top six.
The Force have won five of their last seven matches and will aim to make it six from eight by ending their season on a high note against the Waratahs on Saturday.
Champion de Crespigny has enjoyed a second consecutive strong season in the west and was one of the Force’s best against the Drua, compiling 28 tackles.
The Wallabies forward said the lack of finals stung, but their improvement late in the season gave him confidence they could fix this year’s problems next year.
“You’ve seen in the back end of this year how we’ve managed and controlled the games, which we probably didn’t do at the start,” he said.
“The small margins matter. We’ve had a few close wins now, which at the start of the season we weren’t able to come away with the win in those tight games and the group’s really learned and grown a lot over the year.
“It comes back to our game-drivers. They have really had a strong voice and come back to us and we’ve got a clear plan, which we have developed throughout the week and able to implement for 80 minutes.”
Champion de Crespigny said his exposure to the Wallabies squad last season taught him the importance of winning the small moments. After making his Wallabies debut against the British and Irish Lions last year, the loose forward was named captain for Australia’s clash with Japan in October.
The 29-year-old has picked up where he left off last year, occupying seventh spot in the league for tackles made (156) while also taking more responsibility with the ball in his hands. After carrying 82 times for 391 metres last year across 12 games, Champion de Crespigny has increased his numbers to 91 carries for 432 metres in 11 matches this season while maintaining an average of 4.7 metres per carry.
“I want to work on both sides of the ball. Defence is something I really enjoy, but trying to add that other dimension to my game is something I’ve been working on with Crono (coach Simon Cron) and the other coaches,” he said.
“It grew naturally, I ended up in positions I was able to get the ball more. Whatever my role is for the team, I’m happy to do it and the opportunity came to carry a little bit more this year.”
