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An 83rd-minute converted try nabs Force last-gasp win over Moana
By AAP
Western Force playmaker Ben Donaldson has scored a miracle try and kicked the conversion to steal a Super Rugby Pacific win away from Moana Pasifika in a point-scoring bonanza in Perth.
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Despite being hobbled by an ankle injury in the first half, Donaldson found a hole in the Pasifika defence after 26 phases and ran almost 70 metres to touch down in the 83rd minute. The No10 then converted his own try for a stunning 45-44 victory.
The home side looked down and out before Wallabies winger Dylan Pietsch showed fast feet to cross in the 75th minute, with Donaldson converting for the Force to trail 44-38. They still had plenty of work to do and kept the ball in play before Donaldson made his move.
“It felt like we were going nowhere,” Donaldson told Stan Sport. “Credit to our forwards, we spoke all week about getting set early, speed to set, and providing the platform for us and we just try and find gaps on the outside. I’m just happy with that result.”
With new captain, All Blacks superstar Ardie Savea, at the helm, Moana looked headed for an upset victory at HBF Park. Looking to honour his Samoan heritage, Savea joined the Moana after 12 seasons with the Hurricanes and the No8 was a constant threat in attack and defence.
Exciting young winger Kyren Taumoefolau collected a double among Moana’s haul of six tries and his side led 44-31 after 75 minutes. More than 50 points were scored in the first half alone in hot conditions, with the home side trailing by three points at the break.
They scrambled back from a 3-17 deficit with Force flanker Carlo Tizzano crossing twice to reduce the margin to three points, 27-24. Pietsch came off the bench early in the second half and made an immediate impact, running on to a long cut-out pass from fellow Wallaby, scrum-half Nic White.
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He dashed 40 metres and was brought down just short of the line, with prop Marley Pearce finishing off the try for the Force to go ahead 31-29 after 49 minutes.
Force fans were then silenced for much of the second half as Pasifika stormed to the lead, adding three second half tries including one while Force prop Tom Robertson was yellow-carded with their scrum struggling. But the home crowd were on their feet to cheer Donaldson home for the unlikely win.
All hail Lord Donaldson ?
Have you EVER seen a finish like this?! ???#SuperRugbyPacific pic.twitter.com/SPMZjKnYLn
— Super Rugby Pacific (@SuperRugby) February 15, 2025
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Force looking better this year