PERTH - The Western Force's season could already be in tatters after a 22-10 loss to Super Rugby's new boys the Southern Kings in Port Elizabeth.
The Kings dominated the second half at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium to outscore the Force 17-0 to win their first game in the competition after replacing the Lions as South Africa's fifth franchise.
The Force were coming off a narrow loss to the Melbourne Rebels and now face unenviable task of taking on the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld next weekend.
It's hard to know if the Force's poor goal kicking, concession of far too many penalties or a disappointing lineout let them down the most.
Captain Matt Hodgson was obviously disappointed in the team's performance.
"We had possession and the run of the game in that first 30, but couldn't put points on the board and we have to learn to put points on when we have possession," Hodgson said in his post-match interview.
"It's not only our goal kicking that lost us the game. It was the whole team effort that was not up to scratch tonight."