The Western Force have been made to pay for ball handling errors, falling 27-24 to the Melbourne Rebels in Round 2 of the Super Rugby Men’s U16s in Melbourne on Saturday.
The Force had produced a thrilling one-point win over the ACT Brumbies in Canberra in Round 1 but were brought back to earth after spending the week on the east coast ahead of Saturday’s game in windy conditions at LaTrobe’s University Sports Park.
The WA side almost snatched victory in the final five minutes after Rockingham back-rower Rudolf Johannes Van Der Merwe narrowed the margin to three points with his second try of the game.
The Force came close in the dying minutes, with Kalamunda front-rower Dozion Laupama and Nedlands hooker Luke Scheepers also hitting the try-line, but couldn’t land the decisive blow.
Earlier, the visitors had scored three of the game’s first four tries to lead 19-10 shortly after half-time, before the Rebels stormed home in a clash where both sides scored four tries.
Gavin Laycock’s side will rue handling errors along with penalties including yellow cards in a physical and, at times, heated clash between the two sides.
Van Der Merwe scored twice, while Mandurah Pirates hooker Apakuki Te Hiko and reserve hooker Luke Scheepers also scored for the Force, with Cottesloe full-back Ashton Williams converting two of the four tries.
The Force started strong, claiming a big scrum win on a Rebels’ feed on their 10m line, leading to the opening try for Te Hiko from a set-piece.
The Rebels responded with physical second-rower Lewis Brinkworth forcing his way over, before the Force hit back with van der Merwe dotting following Chase Bunce’s deft pass after a yellow card to Melbourne prop Campbell Tagaloasa.
Rebels centre Samson Tuaine slotted a 25m penalty, before Bunce was yellow carded for a high tackle on Ratu Ifereimi Tuibua. Tuaine hit the post from that resultant penalty attempt, meaning the Force led 12-10 at the break.
Rhymen Tusi unleashed a big 40m run down the left, before Scheepers’ pick and go caught the Rebels defence napping, with Williams’ conversion opening up a 19-10 lead.
But the home side rallied emphatically, with fly-half Noah Jury diving over, before offloading to Tuaine to race over on the right side.
The Force got inside the 22 but James Aleni’s knock-on was met with a quick response by the Rebels who went down the other end to score from Tuibua.
Things went from bad to worse when Archie Elton was binned for a dangerous tip tackle, yet the Force found a way to score via Van Der Merwe after excellent runs from impressive wingers Jacob Scoon and Leighay-Jade Tauranga.
The Force had another late chance after the Rebels scrum collapsed, enabling a 20m lineout but couldn’t capitalize, nor could they after Tagaloasa’s second yellow card.
Western Force 24
Tries: Te Hiko (7’), van der Merwe 2 (15’, 60’), Scheepers (37’)
Conversions: Williams 2/4
Penalties: Nil
Melbourne Rebels 27
Tries: Brinkworth (10’), Jury (41’), Tuaine (46’), Tuibua (53’)
Conversions: Tuaine 2/3, Jury 0/1
Penalties: Tuaine 1/2
