UWA back-rower Dylan Bronlund scored a quartet of tries as the Western Force opened their Super Rugby U19 Championships with an emphatic 48-5 win over the Melbourne Rebels at Revo Fitness Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Bronlund scored the Force’s first four tries, as the home side triumphed with a ruthless eight-tries-to-one display in fine conditions at Claremont to secure the bonus point.
Wingers Kauri Tipene-Grace and Tiam Toufan also scored tries, while late inclusion Vaughn Robson grabbed a double off the bench.
The Force played with confidence throughout the contest, with both wingers Tipene-Grace and Toufan impressing, but it was Bronlund who was named Player of the Match. The Force were also willing in defence in an impressive all-round performance.
The result is the ideal start to the U19's season for the Force, ahead of their Round 2 game against the Queensland Reds at Ballymore on Sunday 8 October live on Stan Sport.
The Force opened the scoring in the 13th minute with a neat team move as Ollie Cummins passed to Tipene-Grace who offloaded to Bronlund down the right flank to score. Despite the tough angle, Tom Crofts added the extras.
Toufan broke three tackles in a brilliant run down the left-hand touch line, setting up Bronlund for his second in the 19th minute.
The Force came under pressure when Kobi Heurea almost scored in the 29th minute, before a Darcy Keating pick and go, only for Doug Phillipson to win a penalty for the home side, tackling Lucas Aedo Kailea who didn’t release the ball.
Bronlund had his hat-trick in the 33rd minute after a scrum drive, with a pick and go of his own to cross, with Crofts converting to make it 21-0.
The Rebels responded with Xavier Stiles offloading to Lachie Morgan-Degaris down the wing, fending off Crofts’ best efforts to score their first try.
In the second half, the Force wasted no time improving on their 21-5 half-time lead, with Bronlund picking off Brodie Haugh’s pass for Sam Fangatua and cruising in for his fourth try.
Melbourne weren’t helped by a HIA to captain Jozef Ah Kuoi, while the Force almost scored again after Ben Kershaw came close within 5m, before Dane Sawers dropped a Tipene-Grace pass for a near-certain try.
The Force, however, were ruthless in the final 20 minutes as Tipene-Grace grabbed a try for himself in the 61st minute, working with Phillipson before eluded two tackles and racing into the corner in a great heads-up play.
Impactful sub Luke Holt-Brown showed strength to brush aside a few tackles before a one-handed offload on the touchline for Toufan to score in the 65th minute.
Jehmial Ross held up Rebels vice-captain Judah Saumaisue, before the Force wingers turned defence into attack in a swift move showing off their prowess.
Tipene-Grace set up Robson’s first try with a quick tap and go into the corner, before the late inclusion added a second with a subtle sidestep after Zac Landsman’s pass.
Force U19s head coach Dylan Parsons was full of praise for four-try hero Bronlund. He said: “Dylan is one of those guys you want in the team. He does a lot of the stuff you don’t see. He got the four tries today and that’s due to the amount of effort he gives around the field. He pops up in different spots because he works so hard, so that’s great reward.”
Force 48
Tries: Bronlund 4, Robson 2, Tipene-Grace, Toufan
Conversions: Crofts 3/6, Landsman 1/2
Penalties: Nil
Rebels 5
Tries: Morgan-Degaris
Conversions: Haugh 0/1
Penalties: Nil
