The Western Force have fallen 53-23 to the reigning Super Rugby Men’s U19s champions, the ACT Brumbies, in a free-flowing encounter in Canberra on Sunday.
The Force scored three tries for the game played in fine conditions at Viking Park albeit with a headwind, but the home side’s quality told, piling on nine of their own to claim a bonus-point victory.
The visitors kept coming, with Boston Fakafanua’s try on the half hour making the scoreline 17-16 but from there the Brumbies put their foot to the floor.
Australia U20s rep Fakafanua along with Southern Lions winger Peni Naqau and Fortescue Academy full-back Finn Prass scored the Force’s tries.
The Force’s backs impressed with their fluid play and connection, but ACT’s powerful forward pack combined with their skilled backline made it tough for the visitors to keep them at bay.
The Force actually scored the first points of the game, via fly-half Henry James’ early penalty after Naqau was unable to take an early chance down the left edge, but the Brumbies hit back with a Lipina Ata try from one of many rolling mauls.
Naqau made up for his earlier miss with a try in the corner following Joondalup midfielder Oakley Pearce’s line break, with Fakafanua and Prass combining to find the winger for an 8-7 lead.
Academy lock Ollie McGinnity was held up before the Brumbies cranked it up a gear, with Beau Morrison and front-rower Finn Baxter scoring.
Fakafanua produced some magic to burst through, fend off two defenders and score for the Force to cut the margin to one.
But ACT added three tries in the space of 10 minutes, including an end-to-end Silas Pilot try, prior to half-time to lead 34-16 at the break.
Pilot scored another after half-time before Brumbies replacement Sam McLachlan was binned for a high shot, offering the Force an avenue into the game, with Pearce and Prass combining down the left for the latter to score. James’ conversion made it 39-23.
But Force hooker Ollie Barrett was yellow carded shortly after for a high tackle, squaring it up at 14 players each, with Lachlan Smith’s dummy out of scrum-half leading to another ACT try.
Force finisher Berekah Tuifaasisina landed a huge shot on Matthew Hanley but there were few late highlights for the visitors, as ACT full-back Shane Wilcox raced clear and offloaded to Joe Dillon to round out the scoring.
Western Force 23
Tries: Naqau (15’), Fakafanua (31’), Prass (52’)
Conversions: James 1/3
Penalties: James 2/2
ACT Brumbies 53
Tries: Ata (12’), Morison (21’), Baxter (24’), Buesnel (34’), Aylmer (37’), Pilot 2 (39’, 44’), Smith (55’), Dillon (80’)
Conversions: Dillon 4/7, Smith 0/2
Penalties: Nil
