The Western Force have been beaten by the ACT Brumbies after a second-half storm from the hosts who triumphed 45-12 at Marist College in Canberra on Friday afternoon.
After scores were tied 12-12 at half-time, the Brumbies broke clear with five second-half tries to claim an impressive win.
For the Force, off-season recruit Divad Palu and hooker Tom Horton scored the tries as the visitors took a 12-7 first-half lead, only to be overrun by the Brumbies.
Played in 30-degree heat with a 2pm kick-off in Canberra, the Force started strong with plenty of attacking territory before Palu scored the opening try after a Harry Potter offload.
ACT replied through Lachlan Lonergan before Horton rolled over on a maul for a 12-7 lead on the stroke of half-time, following a string of scrum penalties with the Force on the offence.
The Brumbies found a reply in the stroke of half-time with a flowing move finished off by speedster Corey Toole, making it 12-12 at the long break.
Luke Reimer dotted under the posts in the 52nd minute to lead 19-12 before running in four tries after the 60th-minute drinks break, including a late Kadin Pritchard double for ACT.
The game is the Force’s final pre-season trial game ahead of their Super Rugby Pacific Round 1 clash with Moana Pasifika on Saturday 15 February at HBF Park. Tickets are on sale now via Ticketmaster.
ACT Brumbies 45
Tries: L.Lonergan (14’), Toole (39’), Reimer (52’), Pollard (63’), Pritchard 2 (72’, 79’), Anderson (80’)
Conversions: Lolesio 1/2, Meredith 4/6
Penalties: Nil
Western Force 12
Tries: Palu (10’), Horton (35’)
Conversions: Donaldson 1/2
Penalties: Nil
Western Force Match Report, Powered by Altrad
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