The Western Force’s second half comeback fell short as the Melbourne Rebels claimed a one-point win in the Round 8 Super Rugby Pacific match at HBF Park.
The Force looked to make a fast start, with centre Bayley Kuenzle breaking the line in the fourth minute. However, his powerful run ended with a pass to Brynard Stander on the wing, with the flanker unable to control the pass as the ball bounced out to touch.
The Rebels made the Force pay for the missed opportunity just three minutes later. Jordan Uelese muscled his way over for the first try of the night after seven minutes. Fly-half Matt To’omua converted to give the visitors a seven-point lead (0-7).
To’omua extended the Rebels lead in the 12th minute with a penalty goal after the Force were penalised at the breakdown. The Wallabies playmaker struck again in the 19th minute with another penalty goal (0-13).
Force flanker Kane Koteka received a yellow card for not rolling away in the tackle after repeat infringements from the home side in the 26th minute.
In response, the Force fought hard and enjoyed plenty of territory after a slow start. In-form Fijian winger Manasa Mataele scored an incredible acrobatic try in the far-left corner in the 37th minute to reduce the deficit to eight points.
To’omua was shown a yellow card for a high tackle in the build-up to Mataele’s try.
However, it was the Rebels who scored the final points of the first half, with full-back Reece Hodge scoring a penalty goal to leave the score at 5-16 in favour of the traveling side.
The Force burst out of the blocks in the second half, with Kyle Godwin scoring a try in the 42nd minute. Force full-back Jake Strachan’s chip and chase following Mataele’s piercing run led to Godwin pouncing on the loose ball for his fourth try of the season.
Five minutes later the Force raced over again to reduce the margin to just one point. Brad Lacey, in his first appearance of the season, dived over the line in the 47th minute on the right wing after some more fantastic work from Kuenzle through the middle of the park.
The momentum shift continued, with Rebels centre Ray Nu’u given a red card for a dangerous tackle to give the Force a numerical advantage.
Scrum-half Ian Prior gave the Force the lead (18-16) for the first time in the match with a straightforward penalty goal in the 54th minute much to the delight of the home fans.
The Rebels battled back to stem the Force flow and converted two penalty goals courtesy of To’omua (67') and Hodge (70') to regain the lead and set up a dramatic finish (22-18).
Strachan brought it back to a one-point deficit yet again in the 74th minute with a successful penalty goal, but the Rebels held firm in the closing stages to claim the win.
The Force will look to bounce back next week when they host the NSW Waratahs on Saturday, 18 April at HBF Park. Be there as West and East collide by securing your tickets here: https://bit.ly/3DFtuLZ
Scorers:
Western Force: Tries: Manasa Mataele (37’), Kyle Godwin (41’), Brad Lacey (46’). Penalty Goals: Jake Strachan, Ian Prior.
Melbourne Rebels: Try: Jordan Uelese (5’). Conversions: Matt To’omua. Penalty Goals: To’omua (3), Hodge (2).
This match report is brought to you by PS Structures. PS Structures supports rugby in WA from the grassroots community game through to the professional Western Force team.
PS Structures and the Western Force, Striving for Excellence. Visit PS Structures here.
