The Western Force U16s have been punished by a ruthless NSW Waratahs outfit with a 96-7 defeat in Sunday’s Super Rugby Men’s U16s clash in warm conditions at Pittwater Rugby Park.
The Force had come into the game following an impressive first-up 24-5 win over Victoria, while the ‘Tahs thrashed the ACT Brumbies 97-0 in Canberra.
The home side were in a similar mood this time, looking potent every time they went forward, but the Force still caused them plenty of problems, with resolve in defence and pluck in attack.
The ‘Tahs scored 14 tries to one, with seven in each half, with their big forward pack constantly opening up opportunities for their outside backs who countered at will. The Force fatigued in the second period with the ‘Tahs unrelenting.
Kalamunda hooker Tamati Tawhitapou scored the Force’s only try, levelling the game up early at 7-7, while Mandurah Pirates fly-half Kaiawha Heke impressed again with his creativity and industry.
The Force are next in action away to the ACT Brumbies on Saturday 11 October from 12pm WST live on Stan Sport and rugby.com.au’s YouTube stream.
The visitors produced some crucial last-ditch defence forcing several errors from the ‘Tahs, including a tackle from hooker Tawhitapou when Izak Holmes seemed destined for the try line. But the hosts would go ahead, with a tap and go from captain Wilson Ruthven.
The Force enjoyed a good period of attacking pressure inside their attacking 22, before a lineout rolling maul try scored by Tawhitapou after 10 minutes.
The ‘Tahs hit back with their forwards putting the Force on the back foot to create a quickfire double within three minutes from Payton Tarau to open up a 21-7 lead.
In defence, Force winger Tyrese Wainohu came up with an intercept before Kaiawha Heke’s kick earned a 70m gain, but NSW eventually forced their way back, with full-back Finn Hannon dotting. Holmes’ line break led to Tarau finding fellow centre Charlie Xuereb for the next.
Force reserve forward Lachlan Ilott came within a few metres of the try line before Mandurah Pirates lock Enzo Kyle was held up.
NSW then went down the other end with winger Julian Minto crossing in the right corner. Xuereb’s flick pass led to a Tahs counter with Holmes adding another for a 49-7 half-time lead.
After the Force held strong in the first 10 minutes of the second half, Tahs reserve Eddie Garcia-Wood dotted from a rolling maul. NSW reserve hooker Archie Hill added another off a maul, before Benjamin Wright and Asher Chapman both scored down the left edge.
Chapman got his second on the hour to crack 80 after Tarau’s release. Three minutes later, Tarau completed his hat-trick with ‘Tahs backs queuing up.
The force had a late chance for a consolation try after Garcia-Wood was binned but spurned the 5m lineout. Instead, Tahs substitute Ziyon Lepolo dotted from a set-piece under the sticks.
NSW Waratahs 96
Tries: Ruthven (5’), Tarau 3x (12’, 15’, 63’), Hannon (20’), Xuereb (23’), Minto (29’), Holmes (33’), Garcia-Wood (44’), Hill (50’), Wright (54’), Chapman 2x (57’. 60’), Lepolo (70’)
Conversions: Ruthven 13/14
Penalties: Nil
Western Force 7
Tries: Tamati Tawhitapou (9’)
Conversions: Heke 1/1
Penalties: Nil
