The Western Force have qualified for the Super Rugby AUS Grand Final after a see-sawing bonus-point 46-35 victory over the ACT Brumbies at Tompkins Park on Saturday.
Max Burey starred for the home side with two tries, including the game-turning go-ahead score, after the Brumbies had rallied back from a 17-point deficit. Burey also set up two first-half tries in a fine display at fly-half.
Both of Burey's tries were brilliant, receiving the ball in his own half for a jinking solo run in the first half before a masterful chip and chase try in the 67th minute capped by a somersault.
Wallaby Ben Donaldson also made a 25-minute cameo on his return from injury, playing his part as the Force scored the final three tries to get the win.
The Force triumphed eight tries to five in a game full of momentum swings played with a strong wind down the field, with the Brumbies kicking with it in the first 40.
The home side had led 31-14 late in the first half after three consecutive tries, but the Brumbies hit back to re-claim the lead with 20 minutes to go following three of their own on the trot.
The Force shared around their eight tries, with Burey getting a double, while there were singles for Associates winger Justin Landman, Palmyra winger Viliami Fine, back-rower Will Harris, captain Darcy Swain, full-back Mac Grealy and young gun Ronan Leahy.
The result means the Force have a maximum 10 points from two games, with two bonus-point victories, and will finish inside the top two irrespective of Saturday’s later NSW Waratahs-Queensland Reds’ game.
The Force will play the Reds at Tompkins Park on Sunday 28 September where victory will clinch a home Grand Final. The game will be free entry, played as a triple-header with the U19s and U16s on beforehand.
The visitors took an early lead from front-rower Lington Ieli who dived over with his third carry inside the opening 90 seconds.
The Force replied after Burey’s classy 50-22, with Fine cleaning up a long lineout before the hosts switched to the right with Landman crossing in the corner.
Force back-rower Vaiolini Ekuasi produced a crucial turnover as the Brumbies pressed, but they would re-take the lead with Klayton Thorn and Hudson Creighton combining with the scrum-half dotting.
The tries kept flying in, with Burey’s cross-field kick setting up Palmyra’s own Fine in the corner. Burey missed the conversion for 14-12.
Burey turned scorer this time, receiving a kick inside his own half, before a brilliant jinking individual run to put the Force up 19-14 in the 23rd minute.
The Brumbies pressed to return serve but the Force scored against the run of play with Poolman stealing off Rory Scott. Poolman was hauled down Shane Wilcox but dished to the supporting Harris to score.
Minutes later the Force had another with Henry Robertson feigning to release Marley Pearce who found a gap and put captain Swain through against his former side for a 31-14 lead.
The Brumbies pulled it back to 31-21 at half-time when Kadin Pritchard combined with Wilcox.
ACT claimed the momentum at the start of the second 40, with Toby MacPherson dotting, before Rhys van Nek dived over to put them ahead 35-31.
But the Force steadied, aided by the injection of Donaldson, with Pearce spreading to Burey on the right flank before darting inboard and producing a wonder chip and chase to restore the lead.
Brumbies reserve lock Tuaina Taii Tualima was yellow carded with eight minutes left and the Force pounced, with Donaldson finding the wide open Grealy on the bounce to score in the corner.
Leahy iced the cake with another in the final minute as Donaldson linked up with Issak Fines-Leleiwasa.
Western Force 46
Tries: Landman (5’), Fine (19’), Burey 2x (23’, 67’), Harris (32’), Swain (35’), Grealy (73’), Leahy (79’)
Conversions: Burey 4/7, Donaldson 1/1
Penalties:
ACT Brumbies 35
Tries: Ieli (1’), Thorn (11’), Wilcox (39’), MacPherson (56’), van Nek (58’)
Conversions: Meredith 5/5
Penalties: Nil
