The Western Force have finished their disappointing season with a shock 21-15 win over the finals-bound Brumbies at nib Stadium in Perth on Saturday night. The Force were easily the most impressive of the two sides in the first half and they profited from tries to skipper Matt Hodgson in the 22nd minute and number eight Ben McCalman on the stroke of half-time to take a handy 14-3 lead into the break. The first half was without doubt the Brumbies’ worst opening 40 minutes of the season, with the Australian Conference leaders making no less than nine handling errors, missing 13 tackles and offering up 10 turnovers. It wasn’t much of an improvement for the visitors in the second half, but they did post a couple of tries to at least get within range of the Force. The result means the Brumbies finish the home-and-away rounds in third position on the table, confirming a finals clash with the sixth-placed Cheetahs at home next weekend. The Force, who were farewelling several of their players, showed great commitment for the entire 80 minutes of this match and in securing the win have avoided the dreaded wooden spoon. The home side dominated field position and possession early thanks to the error-riddled ways of the Brumbies, but it took until the 22nd minute before the first points were scored courtesy of a try to the inspirational Hodgson. Brumbies winger Joe Tomane thought he was back in rugby league when he was pinged for failing to release the ball in time, allowing the quick-thinking Force skipper to take a quick tap and crash over from 10m out. Full-back Jayden Hayward was astray with an earlier penalty goal attempt, but had no trouble with the wide-range conversion to give the Force a 7-0 lead. Force number eight Ben McCalman was penalised for failing to roll away at the breakdown, gifting Brumbies centre Christian Lealiifano a simple three-pointer to open the Brumbies’ account in the 34th minute. The video match official ruled a forward pass in the lead up to Force centre Ben Jacobs crossing the chalk five minutes prior to the break, but the hosts were not to be denied on half-time when McCalman crossed. Force scrum-half Alby Mathewson showed great initiative to take a quick tap from a close-range scrum penalty, before linking with man-of-the-match McCalman who crashed over beside the posts. Hayward’s simple conversion sent the Force into the sheds 14-3 leaders. The Force unleashed the razzle dazzle after the break to open up a 21-3 lead, with a superb Mathewson flick pass to winger Nick Cummins on halfway sending the host’s attack into overdrive. Winger-cum-centre Junior Rasolea linked with Cummins then produced a superb step to leave Brumbies full-back Jesse Mogg clutching at thin air as he crossed for his first Super Rugby try. The Brumbies responded quickly when a short ball from five-eighth Matt Toomua put centre Tevita Kuridrani under the posts in the 48th minute to reduce the deficit to 11 points for the visitors. The comeback was well and truly on in the 66th minute when replacement forward George Smith took a quick tap and sent Scott Fardy over. The Lealiifano conversion attempt was astray, leaving the Force in front 21-15. But continual errors from the visitors prevented any real challenge for victory against a side that was switched on from start to finish. On a sour note for Michael Foley’s men, second-rower Hugh McMeniman was carried from the field in a neck brace in the second half, continuing his shocking luck with injuries. Western Force 21 Brumbies 15
Tries: Hodgson, McCalman, Rasolea
Conversions: Hayward 3/3
Penalty goals: Hayward 0/2
Tries: Kuridrani, Fardy
Conversions: Lealiifano 1/2
Penalty goals: Lealiifano 1/1
Article source: http://www.sportal.com.au/rugby-union-news-display/rebels-orchestrate-stunning-win-243425
Rugby Union Determined Force stun Brumbies
No comments:
Post a Comment