Western Force went down 34-10 in their SMARTECH Super Rugby Pacific Round 4 clash against the NSW Waratahs at Allianz Stadium on Saturday night.
They were outscored six tries to two, their two five-pointers coming 60 minutes apart from homegrown hero Carlo Tizzano with his sixth try of the campaign and prop Ryan Coxon getting over on the final siren.
Force coach Simon Cron will not be happy with his side's discipline.
They were penalised 19 times, 11 in their own half, with 12 consecutive penalties in the second-half, five of them at the scrum.
The Force were looking to bounce back from their heartbreak 28-24 loss to the Queensland Reds in the previous round, the Waratahs to continue their unbeaten start to the season after beating the Highlanders and Fijian Drua.
The Force will remain on the road, flying to Christchurch on Sunday before taking on the Crusaders next Saturday in Round 5.
The Waratahs had most of the early opportunities, looking to make inroads in the wide channels before being halted by last ditch tackles.
They took the lead after seven minutes.
After putting the Force under pressure they opted for a scrum instead of taking three easy points and two passes saw the ball reach winger Max Jorgensen who crossed in the corner.
The game became an arm wrestle through the centre of the ground with both sides content to go to the boot.
But the Force forwards took control and after a patient build-up flanker Tizzano powered his way over.
The speed and intensity of the game heightened as the first period progressed and the Waratahs took the lead with a double blow close to the break.
The Force were penalised close to their line, the Waratahs took a quick tap and Rob Leota forced his way over on the half-hour.
Three minutes later Jorgensen grabbed his second, intercepting a pass to sprint home and give his side a 15-5 lead at the break.
With every point counting in a close first-half contest, critically, all four tries went unconverted.
The Force received a blow on 50 minutes when winger Dylan Pietsch was forced off with a knee injury.
Cron called for his side to maintain patience and possession and respect the ball at the break.
But it was the Waratahs who showed patience and put Darcy Lancaster over in the corner soon after Pietsch's departure. Lawson Creighton converted.
The much-vaunted, star-filled Waratahs pack began to take the upper hand as the game developed and while the Force produced a couple of nice handling moves the Waratahs were able to reign them in.
The Force were put on a team warning after continual penalties with 15 minutes remaining
But the Waratahs did not need any help when former player Felix Kalapu - one of four former Force players in their squad - barreled over. Converted.
The warning hit when Reed Prinsep was sent to the bin with seven minutes remaining and numbers told when Andrew Kellaway got outside the defence to cross in the corner.
The Force battled to the end and had the final say when Ryan Coxon burrowed over.
NSW Waratahs 34
Tries: Jorgensen (7', 33'), Leota (29'), Lancaster (53), Kalapu, (69), Kellaway (76')
Conversions: Creighton 1/4, Edmed 1/2
Penalties: Nil
Western Force 10
Tries: Tizzano (20'), Coxon (82')
Conversions: Donaldson 0/2
Penalties: Donaldson 0/1
@ Allianz Stadium
