The Western Force have produced an impressive 24-3 victory away to the NSW Waratahs in the opening game of the new Super Rugby AUS competition in greasy conditions in Sydney on Friday night.
The Force scored three tries to none in a stellar second-half display after failing to capitalize on territory in the first 40 at Pittwater Rugby Park.
Fly-half Max Burey pulled the strings as the Force backline stretched the Tahs, with scrum-half Henry Robertson and captain Darcy Swain both scoring shortly after the restart.
Full-back Mac Grealy’s late try put the icing on the cake to cap a strong opening game statement.
The Force had trailed 3-0 for most of the first half, but battered the ‘Tahs tryline, only to overcome their frustration and capitalize on the second 40.
The result provides the Force a winning start ahead of home games against the ACT Brumbies (Saturday 20 September) and Queensland Reds (Sunday 28 September) in Rounds 2 and 3 at Palmyra’s Tompkins Park.
The ‘Tahs had the early pressure and got the first points from Sid Harvey’s boot with an eighth-minute penalty.
The Force rallied with sustained periods of possession led by playmakers Robertson and Burey, only for ball handling errors to hold them at bay along with some resolute ‘Tahs defence.
Flanker Kane Koteka was twice held up over the line, with the Force arguably too eager to capitalize on their pressure after Tahs’ captain Matt Philip was binned.
Down the other end, Koteka produced a huge turnover within five metres of the Tahs’ try line, while Otto Serfontein knocked on after James Hendren’s break down the right.
The Force lost both Bradley Kuhn and Boston Fakafanua to injuries in the first half, with the home side enjoying a scrum dominance to put the visitors on the back foot at times.
After coming close again, the Force settled for a point-blank Burey penalty on half-time to go in 3-3 at the break.
The Force’s frustration quickly turned to points in the second half, with George Poolman’s line break, opening a gap for Will Harris to release Robertson to score. Burey converted for 10-3.
Swain dived over shortly after from Robertson’s clever inside ball, after Justin Landman’s run fell marginally short of the try line. Burey’s conversion made it 17-3.
The Force missed the opportunity to move 20-3 up with Burey’s 35m penalty going wide after a scrum penalty.
The ‘Tahs threatened to narrow the deficit but the Force instead stretched their lead, with Mac Grealy’s dancing feet finding a way to cross in the 79th minute.
Talking points
Burey shines at fly-half
Fly-half Burey wasn’t afforded many major minutes in the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season, with Wallaby Ben Donaldson preferred at 10, so it was great to see the Wagga Wagga talent relish a rare start on Friday night. Burey’s variety was a feature in attack, producing lightning passes, pinpoint kicks and bursts of his own, underlined by his sharp movement and feigns at the line.
Swain the skipper
Wallabies lock Swain got given the armband for the Force’s opening game and had an enormous presence on the contest. The big man was physical around the ball, busy at rucks and got his reward in attack with a try to extend the Force’s lead early in the second half.
KB offers plenty
Veteran Kurtley Beale started as a reserve but entered the game on the half hour to replace Fakafanua. The 95-cap Wallaby offered plenty, including a fine downfield kick to gain 30m in the first half, as well as a deft nudge destined for the corner, only for a cruel bounce to deny him. He had some bright moments as the Force backline took over in the second 40.
NSW Waratahs 3
Tries:
Conversions:
Penalties: Harvey 1/1
Western Force 24
Tries: Robertson (42’), Swain (50’), Grealy (79’)
Conversions: Burey 3/3
Penalties: Burey 1/2
@ Pittwater Rugby Park, Sydney
