Force claim first home victory since 2017 in after-siren thriller win over Waratahs
The Western Force’s finals hopes are still alive after Argentinian flyhalf Domingo Miotti nailed a penalty after the final siren to lift his side to a 31-30 victory over the NSW Waratahs in Perth.
The Waratahs were on track for their first win of the Super Rugby AU season when unheralded flyhalf Ben Donaldson nailed his sixth kick of the night to give the visitors a 30-21 lead.
But the Force refused to give up, with a Jordan Olowofela try in the 72nd minute and a clutch Miotti conversion from the sideline reducing the margin to two points.
The Waratahs lost a line-out with just seconds remaining to give the Force one final chance of victory.
The Force unleashed phase after phase after the final siren in a bid to find the winning points, and they got their chance when NSW were penalised for offside.
Miotti stepped up to the plate and calmly slotted the 21m penalty from straight in front to send the 9,253 crowd into raptures.
The result lifted the Force into third spot, three points clear of the Rebels.
But given the Rebels have two games to play and the Force just one, the Melbourne-based franchise is still a good chance to snare third spot.
The Rebels take on the Brumbies on Sunday, before rounding out their season against the Waratahs.
The Force play the ladder-leading Reds in Perth next Friday night.
The win was the Force’s first Super triumph in Perth since they beat the Waratahs 40-11 in 2017.
But the victory came at a cost, with lock Jeremy Thrush limping off in the 47th minute with what appeared to be a serious knee injury.
The Waratahs were on the back foot early after flanker Lachie Swinton was yellow carded for a dangerous tackle in the third minute.
Inside balls don't work so well when you run straight at 2 x 120kg international second rows
Credit: @StanSportAU #FORvWAR pic.twitter.com/3WArR3ygq4
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The Force scored almost immediately when prop Tom Robertson barged through two players to cross.
Waratahs No.8 Will Harris pulled a try back in the 16th minute, and flyhalf Dona ldson faced an embarrassing moment when he continuall y tried and failed to get the ball to balance on the tee for the conversion attempt.
With his allotted time running out, Donaldson had no choice but to unleash a drop kick, and he nailed it through the middle.
If you haven't watched Major League Rugby yet this season, you're seriously missing out ?
Amazing! @ryanwilson89 @ChristinaMahonx @SimonZebo pic.twitter.com/B9T2i0z1sH
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) April 15, 2021
Force hooker Feleti Kaitu’u put the home side ahead again in the 25th minute when he ripped the ball out of teammate Santiago Medrano’s hands while the prop was being tackled, and then sprinted 33m to the line.
Miotti made it 18-10 heading into the break when he nailed a 35m drop goal.
NSW came out firing in the second half, with fullback Jack Maddocks and former Force winger Alex Newsome crossing within minutes of each other to give the visitors a 24-18 edge.
But a late rally from the Force got the home team over the line, despite the heroics of Donaldson who nailed a perfect three-from-three penalties, and three-from-three conversion attempts.
Comments on RugbyPass
Four Kiwis in that backline. A solid statement on the lack of invention, risk-taking and joy in the NH game; game of attrition and head- banging tedium. Longterm medical problems aplenty in the future!
1 Go to commentsGood article, I learnt quite a lot. A big sliding door moment was in the mid 00s when they rejected Steve Anderson's long term transformation and he wrote Ireland's strategy instead.
2 Go to commentsHi Dr Nick! I'm worried that I've started to enjoy watching England and have actually wanted them to win their last two games. What would you prescribe? On a more serious note, I've noticed that the standard of play in March is often better than early February. Do you think this is because of the weather or because the players have been together for longer?
10 Go to commentsMy question in all this brett is who is going to wear the consequences of these actions? Surely just getting the sack isn’t sufficient? A teenager working the till at woolies would probably get taken to court if they took $20 out of the till. You mean to tell me that someone can spend $2.6 million and get away with it? Where was it spent? What companies/people were the beneficiaries etc? How is it just being talked about as an ‘oopsie’ and we all just move on and not a matter of the court for gross negligence, fraud, take your pick…
18 Go to commentslove Manu too but England have relied on him coming back from injury for far too long and not sorted the position with someone else long term . It will be a blessing he has gone . Huge shame he was so injury prone . God speed Manu .
3 Go to commentsI agree with Ben Smith about Brett Cameron. The No. 6 position has to be a monster and a genuine lineout option, like Ollivon, Lawes (now Chessum), Du Toit, etc. The only player who fits that bill right now is Scott Barrett. A fit and fizzing Tuipolotu together with one of the young towers, Sam Darry or Josh Lord, would give Razor the freedom to play Barret at 6.
15 Go to commentsOutstanding article, Graham. Agree with all of it. And enjoy the style of writing too (particularly Grand Slap!).
2 Go to commentsI wouldn't pay a cent for that loafer. He just stands around, waiting for play to come his way. He won't make the Wallabies.
1 Go to commentsGood bit of te reo maori Nic. Or is that Niko or Nikora? On the theme of trees the Oaks v Totara. Game plan would be key. I have one but it would cost you.
10 Go to comments> Shaun Edwards’ You should not have to score 30 points to win a game, as exciting as it is. This statement was surprising to me. It is nonsensical .I guess it is a defence coach speaking. But head coach, defence and attacking coaches all work together. They are inseparable. You score more than the opposition to win. It only needs to be one score. You score whatever the game demands, whatever the opposition demand. You defend whatever it takes. The attack coach needs to be able to clock up 30pts if need be.
10 Go to commentsWho’d have thought, not having Farrell & Youngs kicking the ball at every possible opportunity and playing flat and allowing your centres to run and pass would pay off? No one could possibly have seen this coming. FML. It took a LONG time coming but at least that time has finally come. England need to find a backup to Lawrence. Freeman is the best candidate for me, I see no reason why he can't play 12. He's big, strong, fast and has great hands.
10 Go to commentsLove Manu but he's not the player he was and I imagine Bayonne have paid too much money for him.
3 Go to commentsNew Zealand have not beaten England since 2018 and even that was a pretty close shave.
1 Go to comments“a renewed focus on Scottish-qualified players” Scottish-qualified is another way of saying English. England has development more players for the Scotland national Rugby team in the last 4 years, than Scotland has.
2 Go to commentsThis sounds a lot like the old Welsh rugby proverb “Wales never lose. Other teams just score more points.”
5 Go to commentsFinally,at last, Borthwick has done what the whole of England have been crying out for. Ditch the kick chase and let the players have freedom to attack and run with the ball. It was great to see. Ford played really well and for the first time in ages was 5 yards closer to the gainline which then allowed a more attacking position . Pity it has taken 90 odd caps to do so. However, this has to continue and not be a false dawn . One issue. Marcus. With Ford having one really good game in 5 ,is he the answer long term . Smith puts bums on seats and is terrific to watch . How can you leave him out before he departs for France in disillusion . England are in danger of Simmons , Alex Goode , Cipriani , Mercer and now Smith being unable to get a selection ahead of “favourites” of the management regardless of form . Great to see England play so well .
2 Go to commentsCockerill was an abrasive player in the mould of a Georgian front rower who will have the respect of that pack. Looking forward to seeing what he can do with this exciting team, hopefully they can send a message to unions like Wales that money alone doesn't buy you wins.
2 Go to commentsI like the look of those July matches. Hopefully they'll get some good tests in November too.
2 Go to commentsThis is a poor article, essentially just trolling six nations teams
22 Go to commentsConnaught man? How you can write that without blushing.
6 Go to comments