The Western Force are off to a winning start in the Super Rugby Men’s U16s following a 24-5 bonus-point victory over Victoria full of resolve in tough conditions at Tompkins Park on Sunday.
First-half tries from Mandurah Pirates winger Amos Bell and Kalamunda hooker Tamati Tawhitapou put the Force 12-0 ahead at half-time, before weather the Victorians’ storm as they pressed in the second half with the wind in their backs.
Substitute Marco Nel’s try on the hour from captain Bareek Kleine-Deters Ausage’s ball allowed the Force to pull clear, before the visitors got a consolation try.
Impressive lock Oscar Sio clinched a bonus point with a try after Nel’s line break in the final play of the game.
The game, played in wet and windy conditions, was plagued by ball handling errors for both sides. The wind was a factor in both halves, before the Force managed two late tries against the breeze as the Victorians opened up.
The Force took the lead in the fourth minute with Bell sweeping over down the left side. The home side dominated territory in the first half but the conditions challenged skills.
Australia U16s rep Kleine-Deters Ausage sniffed a chance after a chargedown only to be called for a push, while Kalamunda centre Tini Sauea forced an important turnover when Victoria pressed into their 22.
After waves of Force pressure, reserve lock Logan Grant drove strongly before front-rower Tawhitapou barged over with outstanding fly-half Kaiawha Heke converting for a 12-0 half-time lead.
Force kicking errors put them under pressure and Victoria had an early second-half chance to narrow the deficit but Noah Sale’s 20m penalty sailed wide.
The Force remained resolute in defence, coming up with the answers whenever the Vics entered their attacking 22, underlined by a crucial a Leeson Tiakia pilfer.
Kalani Onno’s leg drive pushed the Force into their attacking half, before a sweeping move from the outside backs set off by Robbie Noema before Bell was wrestled out on the left flank on the 22.
Braden Neho-Udy’s burst opened up an opportunity for the Force, as the forwards combined with Kleine-Deters Assage releasing reserve Marco Nel to dot down the left for a 19-0 lead.
The Vics replied against the run of play, with Hamish Ward’s line break allowing Sale to score, narrowing the gap.
But the Force had the last laugh with Sio’s five-pointer sealing a bonus-point triumph to start the side’s U16s campaign.
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 24
Tries: Bell (4’), Tawhitapou (24’), Nel (60’), Sio (70’)
Conversions: Heke 2/4
Penalties: Nil
Rugby Victoria 5
Tries: Sale (64’)
Conversions: Sale 0/1
Penalties: Sale 0/1
@ Tompkins Park
