Super 14: Force ready for Crusaders

PERTH - The Western Force will use last week's disappointing loss to the Blues as extra motivation for Friday night's Super 14 clash with the ladder-leading Crusaders in Perth.

The Force started the season with six straight losses but looked to have turned the corner after stringing together consecutive wins over the Stormers and Highlanders.

However, their winning run was brought to a screeching halt in last week's limp 38-17 defeat to the Blues, which Force captain Nathan Sharpe said left the playing group hungry to atone.

"On the back of a game in Auckland we weren't happy, this game comes at a good time for us," Sharpe said on Thursday.

"Obviously the finals were out of our hands a few weeks ago now so we just want to win for each other and enjoy playing with each other.

"They (the Crusaders) are the one team in Super 14 we haven't knocked off yet so we are looking forward to doing that.

"They are always the benchmark team, there or thereabouts every year.

"So you know you are always up for a stern challenge and tomorrow night's going to be no different."

Five players in the Crusaders' forward pack have Test experience while the return of All Blacks five-eighth Dan Carter from a hip injury is a massive boost for the visitors.

But it's in the back row where the intrigue lies, with in-form Force trio Matt Hodgson, David Pocock and Richard Brown up against Kieran Read, Richie McCaw and Thomas Waldrom.

The Force were dealt a blow during the week when Wallabies back James O'Connor was ruled out with a shoulder injury.

The Crusaders sit top of the table but are desperate to snare a win against the Force with tricky assignments against the Stormers (away), Bulls (away) and Brumbies (home) to finish the regular season.

Ben McCalman will start at lock for the first time this season after playing most of 2010 at flanker for the Force.

"His physical style, agility and carry are critical factors," Force coach John Mitchell said of McCalman.

"I think he has been huge for us this season especially considering the injuries we've had in the back row.

"He has received an enormous amount of minutes in his first year of Super 14 and has coped mentally and physically really well and progressed his lineout work.

"We're more than confident that he can handle the second row and bring some huge advantages for us in the area where the game needs to be physical."

- AAP