The Western Force have slumped to their third successive Super 14 defeat after going down 37-19 to the unbeaten Chiefs at ME Bank Stadium on Saturday.
A 10-minute power outage just before kick-off delayed the start of play by five minutes, and while the Force contained a Chiefs outfit that scored 72 points and nine tries last week in the first-half, the visitors still ran in four tries.
The 18-point margin also ensured they claimed the bonus-point and ensured the Force remain without a win this season.
Not even James O’Connor’s brilliance at five-eighth saw the hosts break the try line until the dying minutes when Ryan Cross intercepted a wayward Chiefs pass.
Mark Bartholomeusz made his Force debut at fullback to allow O’Connor to play at No. 10 with the returning Scott Staniforth, Nick Cummins and Ryan Cross all starting for John Mitchell’s side.
However, the home team had no answer to tries from Hika Elliot, Lelia Masaga, Colin Bourke and Tim Nanai-Williams as their poor start to the season continued.
Some individual brilliance from halfback Brendon Leonard after the Chiefs snatched a Force lineout led to the only try of the first-half.
He chased down his own kick, and then after sharing the ball with hooker Elliot and prop Nathan White, Elliot crossed for the five-pointer.
The Chiefs opened up a 13-6 half-time lead thanks to the boot of Stephen Donald, but two penalties in the first 10 minutes of the second to O’Connor closed the gap to a point.
When O’Connor was penalised for a spear tackle that he didn’t follow through with, Donald nailed a penalty to put the Chiefs back up by four and then another lineout for the Force went astray to hand the visitors their second try.
Masaga got it out wide and crossed for the converted second try to extend the lead before No.8 Bourke went over for the Chiefs, with fullback Nanai-Williams adding a fourth.
Chiefs coach Ian Foster is delighted with the start to the season on return to Hamilton and with how his team stuck to their guns in Perth.
“We certainly targeted starting stronger, but we’re delighted with the three performances and particularly with this one,” Foster said.
“We have enjoyed our week here even though it’s very hot and it has been hard to get the quality of training in.
“You could see the energy sapping, but to keep the commitment right through is very pleasing.” Force coach John Mitchell wasnt at all happy with how his team went out things in attack though.
“We were taught a lesson in terms of intensity and building pressure in the front 50,” Mitchell said.
“They deserved their victory.”
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