Western Force failed to counter the first-half loss of playmaker Matt Giteau, going down 17-12 to the NSW Waratahs in their Super 14 rugby clash in Perth last night.
After the Wallaby playmaker was stretchered off following a sickening clash with Sam Norton-Knight, 18-year-old Waratahs centre Rob Horne took advantage to streak over for a try on debut.
More Super 14
Crusaders swamp Lions despite mass team changes
Stormers maintain impressive form to outrun Cheetahs
Brumbies end Auckland hoodoo to beat Blues
The visitors were 10-9 up at half time but suffered their own blow when captain Phil Waugh limped off midway through the second period with a knee injury.
Cameron Shepherd potted three penalties after taking over Giteau’s kicking duties to put the Force ahead but Lachie Turner’s late try elevated the Waratahs to third place on the Super 14 ladder.
With individual clashes of Wallaby significance all over the field, the first contribution of note came from Giteau’s flyhalf rival Kurtley Beale, whose kick and chase led to an early penalty which he converted himself.
After that setback, the Force dominated possession, battering the Waratahs’ defence for 17 successive phases at one stage before a knock on gave the visitors their first psychological win.
The next, on 20 minutes, was not of the Waratahs’ making – when Giteau’s night was ended by a brutal accidental collision with Norton-Knight’s hip bone in a tackle.
After being placed in the recovery position by Lote Tuqiri, Giteau did not move as the Waratahs hammered the Force line.
But while the Force did keep the Tahs out, their vice-captain was not able to return – the motorised cart wheeling off the superstar as he gave a thumbs up to relieve the fear of serious injury.
With Lachlan MacKay on as a replacement, the Waratahs immediately went for the throat and, after Tom Carter broke, Horne followed on his shoulder to make the perfect start to his Super 14 career.
After making a hash of his first penalty attempt, Shepherd made amends soon afterwards – and Carter’s departure with a shoulder injury was followed by Shepherd’s second penalty to bring the deficit back to one at half time.
Giteau’s groggy stroll up the touchline lifted the spirits of the Force fans further, with the second period starting with a Scott Staniforth intercept that could have led to a Nick Cummins break if not for a dropped pass.
After Shepherd’s penalty attempt for the lead rebounded off post and crossbar, the influential injuries were evened up by Waugh limping off on 53 minutes.
And with the Force dominating possession as they did in the first half another offside penalty – this time against Adam Freier – did allow Shepherd to put the home side in front.
With time running out, and the Force launching wave after wave of pressure, the Tahs much vaunted defence held firm.
And with seven minutes to go, the sucker punch was landed, a rare overlap finding its way to the impressive Tuqiri, whose chip kick rebounded off Shepherd’s boot into the arms of a grateful Turner.
Despite a desperate last push from the Force, Turner’s intercept under his own posts maintained the Waratahs unbeaten record against the Force – and their push for the semi-finals.
Waugh said the Waratahs had made the welcome win hard for themselves.
“We did well at (taking our chances) but field position was a worry and possession, but we got the win.
“We have got a tough back end of the tournament, so this is a big win in the context of the season.”
Force skipper Nathan Sharpe said it was another night of missed opportunities for his side.
“I though we were just going to get over the line there at the end, again,” Sharpe said.
“You never say any try is lucky, but (Turner’s) was against the run of play. Shep has chipped it forward and it has gone straight into his breadbasket.
“A disappointing night in terms of the result but we certainly executed the game plan for the majority.
“We just lacked a bit of finishing, we played well … but we will look at back at a lot of missed opportunities I think.”
© AAP 2012Enjoy sports? Enjoy a bargain? All Sports Online has your favourite sporting brands at up to 70% off. Online only, premium quality sporting goods and merchandise at discounted prices. Get a deal now.
Do you have what it takes to become a sports writer? Write for the roar
Rugby Union articles
- Will Super Rugby crowds continue their slide? (201)
- Will South African rugby force a Super 21 by 2018? (173)
- The real story of how John O’Neill turned Manchester City down (70)
- Dan Parks and the unsolved questions of expat rugby (65)
- Australian teams at Super disadvantage (58)
- Pocock set to be named new Force skipper (56)
- Can the ‘Tahs win the battle after losing the Waugh? (51)
- France turns to Parra and Trinh-Duc
- Rebels look to lift for formidable Blues in rugby trial
- Mr Fix-It Lucas wants to nail down No.10
- Force roost loses ‘Mother Hen’ Sharpe
- Waratahs romp to 83-5 trial win over Samoa A (2)
- Quade Cooper’s return to the Reds goes up a gear
- Chiefs continue to wait for SBW (7)
- Wales show Southern Hemisphere how to play running rugby (29)
- What opening matches of Six Nations taught us (19)
- Will Super Rugby crowds continue their slide? (202)
- Clinical Chiefs cost rusty Rebels in Corio (9)
- Six Nations shows rugby is a parochial game at heart (5)
- Goose’s Super Rugby up-and-comer XV for 2012 (29)
- What does the future hold for the Six Nations (50)
- Explore:
Greg said | April 13th 2008 @ 9:41am | Report comment
Full credit to Tuqiri for his actions towards Giteau last night, a lot of us are very quick to write the guy off but this certainly makes up for his behaviour towards Sam Norton-Knight in last year’s fixture. He also made some telling runs and breaks which is encouraging for the Wallabies later this year.
What a game! Could have gone either way at the end and at one point the Force had placed the ball on the line, but not over it. Turner did some good things and Norton-Knight’s place-kicking was great in the swirly condidtions. I think Vickerman got the edge on Sharpe in the lineout. Beale had little impact on the game, I thought – he made one or two good kicks, nailed a great conversion to get ahead by 5 but didn’t really dictate terms or lead the midfield, he also missed a game-sealing drop goal directly in front 25 out. The Warratahs defence was awesome, soaking up 40 minutes of pressure to come up with the win. But I think the Force were the better side, they dominated possession and territory and conceded the unluckiest of tries to Turner in the Tahs only foray up forward in the second half. The force backs seemed slow compared to the Warratahs, it didn’t help that they didn’t get too many passes to the wingers on the run – most seemed to receive from close-to standing starts.
joe blow said | April 13th 2008 @ 10:28am | Report comment
Considering Cam Shepherd missed 2 or 3 penalty attempts, it was certainly a close thing, and what a fortuitous try to Turner, the ball rebounding straight off Shepherd’s boot into his bread basket. Tahs certainly did well to hold out in extra time. Yep, good move by Lote to roll Giteau onto his side, and good to see him play with much gusto throughout as well.
This kid Rob Horne showed a lot of maturity refusing to be intimidated by his illustrious opposite Ryan Cross. Quite sensational really.
Fact said | April 13th 2008 @ 11:36am | Report comment
Can Foxtel please provide unbiased commentators: the behaviour by Kearns was appalling and not much better from the other 2: it was so one sided . Kearns should be banished from commentating on any game that involves the Warratahs.Great to see the quick action by LT. Warratahs may have won bragging rights through a freak piece of play but they are dreaming if they believe that justfies majority percentage of players in Wallabies:their South African tour will show up their defiencies .
Lindommer said | April 13th 2008 @ 12:37pm | Report comment
Greg, on the line’s a try. You should know that one.
Al said | April 13th 2008 @ 1:09pm | Report comment
Did anyone notice that the clock stopped (on Fox sports anyway) with about a minute and a quarter to go whilst play went on? In that time play moved into the Waratahs red zone. Was there extra time accidentally added to the match? What would have happened had the Force scored and won the game?
Justin said | April 13th 2008 @ 1:46pm | Report comment
I didnt notice the clock had stopped, I dont think it would have been a talking anyway. Once the siren goes it is up to the ref how long play continues (usually until the next break down in play). Tahs were a little fortunate to win, they took their limited chances. The Force played most of the attacking football and made a lot of half breaks and offloads which NSW look as though they do not want to do, they tend to die with the ball in the tackle.
Greg said | April 13th 2008 @ 8:27pm | Report comment
I meant almost on the line, you should have guessed that:)
Greg2 said | April 14th 2008 @ 7:49am | Report comment
I am a waratahs supporter, but I’m not sure they deserved that win. A lot of effort across the park, particularly in defense. I am surprised that Turner is defending E.M. – I think’s its clear that the Link’s influence on Turner hasn’t been a great one. And against the Force he kicked too much and pretty aimlessly. Why doesn’t he run? Still a pretty poor performance from the backs. Although LT showed that he cops too much criticism. I don’t think many people realise how dominant he can be, and how many times he gets the team out of trouble securing ball in tight situations.
Farmer said | April 14th 2008 @ 9:32am | Report comment
I thought the Force looked the better side in the second half and were unlucky to lose, having got their nose in front for the last 15 minutes. A freak rebound was enough to snatch it. Even then with not much time left , the Force almost pulled it bck out of the fire.
Considering the Force lost Giteau (the best player in Oz) early, I thought they aimed up well.
Great Waratahs defence kept them in a position to win it.
Yes , the Fox Sports clock did stop , but when they restarted it, it reset forward to make up fo lost time. The siren is the only timekeeper though.
Ben C said | April 14th 2008 @ 11:05am | Report comment
Greg2
I know Turner said McKenzie should stay, but I think the underlying message is not that McKenzie’s contract is not being renewed but the manner in which it occurred. It is better for the players, the fans and McKenzie himself that a decision is made sooner rather than later so everyone knows what is happening. It wouldn’t be fair to leave McKenzie until August and then tell him his contract won’t be renewed and leave him with little chance of securing a job next year.
The ugly side of it was the constant whispers and blatant destabilising campaign that emanated from NSRU HQ in the weeks leading up to the decision. The unhelpful comments by Petersen in the press were unnecessary and simply made the process appear to be a Night of the Long Knives rather than an objective business decision.
I don’t blame NSWRU for letting McKenzie go. I think his ideas were stale and he had to be moved on. The silly politicking before the decision however did leave a sour taste in my mouth. McKenzie has been a good servant to NSW and Australian rugby and deserved a bit better.