The Western Force have produced an improved performance but fallen agonisingly short 22-19 to the ACT Brumbies in warm conditions on Saturday afternoon at GIO Stadium in Canberra.
The visitors led 14-0 after first-half tries to Hamish Stewart and vice-captain Michael Wells but that deficit was gradually overturned by the Brumbies, before Harry Potter’s late try offered the Force hope.
The Force still led 14-8 at half-time, after ACT captain Ryan Lonergan’s try, but weren’t helped by penalties early in the second half, including a Potter yellow card. During Potter’s time in the bin, Rob Valetini dotted, before reserve Brumbies hooker Billy Pollard scored.
Force fly-half Ben Donaldson was exceptional throughout and helped set up Potter for a 75th-minute try to cut the margin, although Donaldson missed the extras, leaving it 22-19.
In the final two minutes Potter launched a huge run down the right flank, threatening to score, before losing the ball forward under heavy contact.
Donaldson said: "I think we had a great first half. Our message was to come out, get the first points and stay on top of them, but we come out and give up a yellow card. The penalties piled up.
"Even as you saw last week, we can score tries but we're lapsing in those moments. Too many penalties, too many missed tackles again."
Across the game, the Force won metres gained 598-458 and defenders beaten 22-16, but crucially conceded more penalties 16-4 and lost scrums 10-3.
Despite the improved display, the defeat leaves the Force winless from three games to start the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific, although the side claimed a bonus point given the margin.
The Force return home to HBF Park in Round 4 to face Moana Pasifika from 7pm WST on Friday, as part of a double-header with the Force hosting the Super W season opener against the Melbourne Rebels from 4:30pm WST.
The Force built early pressure with Chase Tiatia and Max Burey combining down the left, before ex-Brumbies scrum-half Nic White’s break inside the forward 22m.
The pressure paid off in the ninth minute from Tom Horton’s long throw from the lineout, with Donaldson’s fast feet helping him break free, offloading for the hurdling Stewart to dot. Donaldson added the extras.
Horton produced a big turnover in the defensive 22m, before leading a break. From that territory gain, Wells reached out to score following TMO intervention at a lineout. Donaldson converted for a 14-0 lead after 22 minutes.
ACT pulled a try before on the half hour with scrum-half Lonergan dotting after Potter couldn’t thwart Tamati Tua who offloaded on the left edge. Noah Lolesio missed the conversion.
Lolesio would add three points from a pre-engagement penalty on the 35th minute to make it 14-8, although the Force could’ve been further ahead at half-time with Potter having a try disallowed following some Donaldson’s brilliance for a Ryan Coxon obstruction.
Potter was binned 20 seconds into the second half trying to contest an aerial ball, leaving Darcy Swain needing treatment and the Brumbies capitalised on their numerical advantage with Valetini scoring from a pick and go.
Pollard used a big leg drive to cross by the post in the 54th minute, with Lolesio adding the extras to open up a 22-14 lead.
The Force showed composure to regain territory, with Potter’s take down the right edge initiating an attack, but couldn’t capitalise with Donaldson missing a penalty, while Horton knocked on within 5m of the tryline.
Donaldson played architect in the 75th minute, releasing Burey down the right who combined with Potter to make it a one-try game with five minutes to play. But the Force couldn’t come up with the winning points.
Brumbies 22
Tries: Lonergan (30’), Valetini (48’), Pollard (54’)
Conversion: Lolesio 2/3
Penalties: Lolesio 1/1
Force 19
Tries: Stewart (9’), Wells (22’), Potter (75’)
Conversion: Donaldson 2/3
Penalties: Donaldson 0/1
