The Western Force have claimed a 32-19 bonus-point victory to open the 2023 Super Rugby U16 Championships against the Melbourne Rebels at a sunny Revo Fitness Stadium on Saturday.
The Force scored five tries to the Rebels' three in a back-and-forth contest, where the Force were never headed but also never assured of victory until late.
The home side were worthy winners, although the Rebels enjoyed good spells of possession in dangerous territory, but the Force had all the answers led by Player of the Match Tamarangi Tunui who score the opening try along with the outstanding Peni Naqau.
The bonus-point victory is the ideal start for the Force U16s ahead of their Round 2 clash with the Queensland Reds at Ballymore on Sunday 8 October from 10:05am WST live on Stan Sport.
The Force scored the opening try in the third minute as Naqau broke the line with a left-hand fend, offloading to Harry Oddy who used his speed before passing inside for captain Tunui to lunge over. Naqau confidently added the extra two from a 45-degree angle.
Southern Lions product Naqau’s 40m penalty attempt fell short in the 17th minute, before the Force defence held up strong under pressure from the Rebels who started to enjoy territory aided by penalties.
The Force, however, hit back in the 28th minute when Felix Cooper spread to the left sideline to North Coast winger Dermott Arthy who showcased his blistering speed, breaking two tackles and racing across the line, with Naqau adding the extras for a 14-0 lead.
On the stroke of half-time, Melbourne halved the deficit with Max Tokava’s cross-field kick finding Sonix Aiga on the right sideline to score, with Tokava converting for a 14-7 half-time score.
Upon the restart, Force full-back Oddy produced an excellent chip and run down the left flank, but fumbled on the goal-line after doing all the hard work.
The Force grabbed their third try in the 42nd minute with Oddy crossing after Arthy had been repelled, with finisher Kalani Chong Sue showing composure to handle Ezekiel Jackson’s wide bouncing pass, to dish off for Oddy to score for 19-7.
The hosts thought they had another but number 8 Samiulela Likio was ruled to be held up, before the Force were caught napping in defence in the 55th minute with Jeremiah Faasavalu racing on to Tokava’s left-foot dink to score.
The Force restored their double-digit lead after Naqau’s strong run opened up an opportunity for Arthy to spread wide to Chong Sue to cross for his maiden try for 24-12.
The visitors kept coming, with the Force unable to keep another barrage at bay as Tokava’s offload saw Kirirakau Loffley break through, with Halaliku Lauhingoa driving forward to cross to make it 24-19.
The back and forth continued in the 63rd minute with impressive Naqau utilizing his left-arm fend to shrug Rebels captain Louis Treacy and Faasavalu and race clear to score for the Force’s fifth try for 29-19.
Late on, Rebels full-back Tainui Whakaari was denied an intercept try for a Force penalty advantage, with Naqau kicking a penalty field goal on the siren for a 32-19 win.
Arthy recalled his blistering try which was arguably the best of the day. He said: “I didn’t think I’d get it. I saw space down the left side but it was only about 5m. I just ran and hoped they didn’t take me out and they didn’t. I’m happy to come away with the try.”
On the win, Arthy added: “We came out hard, that was our initiative. We wanted to keep them on the back foot. We ended up doing that. There were a few mistakes early in the first half, not kicking out and not exiting but overall it was pretty good.”
Force
Tries: Tunui, Arthy, Oddy, Chong Sun, Naqau
Conversions: Naqau 2/4, Thiedeman 0/1
Penalties: Naqau 1/2
Rebels
Tries: Aiga, Faasavalu, Lauhingoa
Conversions: Tokava 2/2, Whakaari 0/1
Penalties: Nil
