Wallace Charlie scored a superb hat-trick as the Western Force’s Super Rugby Men’s U19s campaign ended with a high-scoring 59-50 defeat to the Queensland Reds on Sunday afternoon.
The Reds triumphed nine tries to eight in an entertaining, end-to-end clash in windy conditions at Tompkins Park, with the victory earning Queensland third spot with the Force finishing fourth.
The Queensland wingers combined for five tries, while Charlie was outstanding for the Force with three of his own, including a 70m run after picking off a Reds’ pass, plus an assist for Peni Naqau’s late score.
The Reds had the wind behind their backs in the first half and scored six tries to three to lead 40-19 at the interval, with the Force getting the better of the second 40 with five tries to three in return.
The Force had plenty of stand-out performers led by co-captain Charlie, while Manaia TeTana put in a strong 45-minute display. Centre Chris Jansen and winger Peni Naqua also impressed. The Force had lineout issues but the Reds offered plenty in attack, causing the home side’s defence challenges throughout.
The Reds took the lead when hooker Will Pamenter marched over from a maul, while Force winger Naqau came close down the other end, only to be denied by a Charlie Bird tackle.
The Force would square it up when Tamarangi Tunui fed Wallace out of the scrum, with the Aussie 7s flyer jinking down the middle to score.
Reds winger Ilan Cloete then scored three times in quick succession down the right side as the visitors pulled ahead 28-7.
The Force rallied with a penalty try after Luke Megson’s line break, with Holt-Brown taken high by Bird as he went to cross on the left, leading to seven points and a yellow card to the Reds full-back.
Nate Gallagher almost narrowed the gap further after pouncing on a loose ball after 30 metres, only for his pass to Kade Davis to be stolen. Reds lock Keny Harris charged down Tunui’s box kick down the other end, leading to Joe Stoddart’s try.
Davis flew high to claim the restart, setting up a play where Charlie spread left to Holt-Brown to make it 35-19. The Reds pulled to a 40-19 advantage with Tom Howard scoring on the siren.
Queensland got the all-important first try of the second 40 when scrum-half James Prole assisted Bird to cross.
The Force responded immediately with an unlikely Tunui try from a lineout, receiving an overthrown pass and barging over.
Charlie then added his second, intercepting Netani Lesimaikimatuku’s pass and racing 70 metres to cross. Mainwaring’s conversion made it 47-31.
Howard and Bird scored tries for Queensland to open up a 28-point lead but the Force hit back with the final 19 points of the game.
Charlie first dished left for Naqua to dot in the 62nd minute, then Jansen barged over. Wallace then added his third after getting on the end of Paddy Woods’ break.
The Force thanks partners Fortescue, UWA, Goodyear, ADD Business Group and Elan as well as RugbyWA for their support of the U16s and U19 programs.
Western Force 50
Tries: Charlie 3x (8’, 48’, 78’), Penalty Try (28’), Holt-Brown (38’), Tunui (43’), Naqau (62’), Jansen (77’)
Conversions: Mainwaring 4/8
Penalties: Nil
Queensland Reds 59
Tries: Pamenter (3’), Cloete 3x (10’, 21’, 25’), Stoddart (36’), Howard 2x (40’, 52’), Bird 2x (41’, 58’)
Conversions: Lesimaikimatuku 7/9
Penalties: Nil
@ Tompkins Park
