April 10 (Reuters) - Coach Tim Sampson is hoping home advantage can spur his Western Force team towards the Super Rugby AU finals after Friday's narrow win over the Melbourne Rebels kept the Perth-based side in contention for a top three finish.
The 16-15 win came courtesy of a late try by Tim Anstee that was converted by Domingo Miotti, with victory moving the Force to within a point of the third-placed Rebels.
The Force return to the Perth Oval to play the NSW Waratahs and the Queensland Reds over the next two weeks and Sampson has set his sights on pipping the Rebels to a finals berth.
"We know what level we can get to and the fact now that was a very crucial game to win," Sampson said. "The next few weeks are in our hands now. We go home for two home games and play in front of our great supporters at home.
"For a team effort tonight, and more so on the defensive side of the ball, that was probably one of our best in terms of that team performance."
The Reds lead the standings and will qualify for the Super Rugby AU final on May 8 should they remain in pole position while second - presently occupied by the ACT Brumbies - will take on the third place finishers in a qualifying final.
Sampson conceded his team needed to make further improvements ahead of the next two games, particularly when in possession of the ball.
"We need to get a bit more continuity and flow in our attack," he said.
"I don't think you can underestimate the amount of changes we've had and new guys come in, but from day one we've said how blessed we are with the depth we have in our squad and that showed tonight.
"We made a few changes from the last couple games and the guys who have jumped in were more than capable and played really well."