The Western Force have finished their 2009 Super 14 season with a 33-28 bonus-point win over the Highlanders at Subiaco Oval to farewell a host of departing stars.

The win gives the Force 36 points from six wins and a draw this season to most likely finish in seventh position, while the Highlanders notched a disappointing four wins after losses to the Blues, Stormers, Sharks, Lions and now the Force to close out the season.

The Force started brightly with three first half tries to lead 23-0 at the break, and then 33-7 early in the second, but the Otago-based Highlanders hit back with quick tries to winger Ben Smith – his second – and lock Tom Donnelly.

That had the Highlanders back within 12 points with plenty of time to go and, while their captain Jimmy Cowan scored after the siren, the Force still held on for the five-point victory.

Saying farewell for the Force were Matt Giteau, Drew Mitchell and Josh Valentine, who are heading to rival Australian teams, as well as Tai McIsaac, Tamaiti Horua, Scott Staniforth and Junior Pelesasa, all heading overseas.

Giteau took no time showing just how much he will be missed by the Force and valued by the Brumbies next season.

Within 41 seconds, he set up Ryan Cross for the game’s opening try, before putting in a nice pass for the first of Staniforth’s double.

His kick to set up the Force’s third was magical as it went cross-field and landed with Mitchell, who was able to offload for Staniforth to bag a brace in his 100th and final Super rugby match.

Giteau also booted three penalties and converted two of his side’s four tries to end his three-year Force career.

The win also brings to a close the Force’s time playing at Subiaco Oval, before they head to the rectangular Members Equity Stadium next year, and 18,310 turned up for the occasion.

“For the guys that have created the foundation within this club, it was important that they put in a strong performance for each other and I was really impressed with the defence in the first 40 minutes that fed the attack,” Force coach John Mitchell said.

“We have a lot of confidence in our attack … but we wanted the defence to feed the attack and the big lead came through that.”

Captain Nathan Sharpe paid tribute to his departing stars.

“You have a guy like Tai McIsaac who has been the lifeline of this club and Scotty Staniforth has been tremendous, as have the other guys that are moving on,” Sharpe said.

“We’ll enjoy the last few days with those blokes and wish them all the best in the future and running out against some of them next season.”

Highlanders captain Jimmy Cowan said he was confident his young team could keep developing if they stick together.

“You have to be there mentally every week,” he said.

“If we can keep this side together, though, we should be able to see some of the benefits.”

© AAP 2012

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