Substitute Blues five-eighth Stephen Brett nailed a penalty after the siren to break the hearts of the Western Force in a 22-22 Super Rugby draw in Perth on Saturday night.
The Force led 22-12 with just three minutes remaining following a first-half try to outside centre Nick Cummins and 17 points off the boot from James O’Connor.
Kevin Mealamu’s 77th minute try and Brett’s conversion closed the margin to three points.
But the Force settled and appeared on track for victory as they unleashed a series of pick-and-drives as the clock counted down.
With less than 15 seconds remaining, referee Nathan Pearce penalised the Force forwards for going over the top, with Brett kicking truly from 39m out on a slight angle to break the hearts of the 15,931 fans on hand.
It left the Force with just one draw from three games ahead of their trip to South Africa, where the Lions and Stormers await.
O’Connor had a golden night with the boot, nailing his first six shots on goal and also unleashing a spectacular try-saving tackle on Blues fullback Isaia Toeava in the second half.
But it wasn’t enough for the Force, who must be wondering just what they must do to notch a win after their heartbreaking one-point loss to the Reds in round one.
The radar of Luke McAlister was wayward early as the Blues five-eighth missed two easy penalties in the opening six minutes.
His opposite number O’Connor showed him how to do it, nailing two penalties to give the Force an early 6-0 buffer.
The Blues suffered a major blow in the 18th minute when All Blacks lock Ali Williams limped off with an ankle injury but the visitors were soon on level terms as McAlister finally found his range.
Defence was the theme of the day as both sides struggled to penetrate but the Force thought they had finally broken through the Blues’ line when James O’Connor’s inventive chip and chase resulted in Sam Wykes barging over the line.
Celebrations soon turned to despair when the TMO ruled Wykes had been held up over the line, despite replays appearing to indicate the Force lock had done enough to ground the ball.
However, it proved only an inconvenience for the home side, who notched a deserved try on the stroke of half-time when they swung it wide for Cummins to cross to make it 16-9.
O’Connor’s 62nd-minute penalty stretched the margin to 22-12, but from there the Blues hit back, scoring 10 points in the final three minutes to secure the draw.
The Force were reduced to 14 men with just four minutes to go when Jono Jenkins was sent to the sin bin.
“I’m pretty gutted to be honest,” Force coach Richard Graham said.
“I thought we worked really well there for 80 minute.”
Blues coach Pat Lam said his men were lucky to earn a share of the spoils.
“They really got into us,” Lam said.
“We made too many errors. We put ourselves under pressure and we know we’re fortunate to get a draw out of that game.”
warrenexpatinnz
Guest
Stillmissit you are close to the mark with Sharpe shouldering some of the blame for the last penalty however everyone knows the law and should have been focused on being 100% in the last ruck. Re the RWC, the bulk of the Wallabies first picks are playing well at the moment, some carrying on their 2010 form and seemingly getting better as in O'Connor. Moaman is correct though and this is onlt the third round, long way to go, few injuries will happen and teams will get better.
Moaman
Guest
Thought the Force resorted to booting the ball back at the Blues as soon as they established the 10 point lead=ie far too premature to be going into defensive mode. Nobody seems to consider the Travel Factor;That the Blues were retutning from Africa and may have been below par? I think it is very early in the season to be jumping to conclusions about the relative strengths and weaknesses of the different teams. Agree with Taniwha-the handling of both teams but the Blues in particular was sub-standard.as i had the commentary turned off I don.t know whether there was a dew or not or some mitagating factor to explain all those spilt passes....
stillmissit
Roar Guru
I think the Force would be sick and tired of as warrenexpat says 'taking heart from that game', they are dying to be a team that ripped the oppositions heart out. Trying to run the clock down in modern rugby is a recipe for disaster. Sharpe has to take the blame for that one. Still anyone watching that game will know that the Force is coming of age. Maybe not this year but who knows. BTW I think that Mittchell is a good coach and I am not attributing this stepping up to the new coach, more that the players are old enough and showing more potential than several of us expected - Cummings is a classic example as are the back row. James O'Connor and Pocock are possibly the leading Wallabies in terms of raw talent. Beale and TFN not far behind. If we were going better in the Super rugby I would say we are a good chance in RWC but alas that is not so.
stillmissit
Roar Guru
PeterK - if you remember me you would know I am a Tahs fan going back nearly 30 years when they were NSW, several players I knew played for them. Like most Tahs fans we have had plenty to complain about over the last 10 years or more. This season could be different. Are you still reffing?
warrenexpatinnz
Guest
Excellent game with some great play throughout. Yes some dubious decisions both ways but all in all an enjoyable game to watch. Gutted the Force didn't get an outright win but they should plenty of heart. From now on with my picks I reckon I will be taking the draw option if the Force are playing a top team at home as how many times against good opposition (sometimes on paper only) does the Force lose by a point or two and is this their third draw at home? Crisaders were one of them but not sure if a third? Standout players, McCalman had go forward with venom. Mealamu tough and at the moment well ahead of any other NZ hooker. O'Connor playing at another level with consistency and I would offer the opinion that Cooper is now on shaky ground as surely O'Connor at ten (based on form) with Ioanne and Mitchell on the wings is now looking like a better balanced side?
stillmissit
Roar Guru
p.tah - never been a fan of Gerrard but he is up with the best in Australia at the moment.
stillmissit
Roar Guru
PeterK -agree at the moment but I think he will end up as 5/8 or I/C. Shepherd at his best is an outstanding full back but injury has reduced his opportunities. Don't like him on the wing a bit like sticking Larkham on the wing. I may be more wishful than correct but you never know lets see what pans out this year.
Harry
Guest
Very impressive all 3 of them, probably McCalam was my pick but Hodgson also good - outplayed Braid. Wykes went well in the 2nd row as well. They need to keep this formation even when Pocock available - rotate the 4 of them in 6,7 and 8.
p.Tah
Guest
...and don't discount Gerrard
PeterK
Roar Guru
The Force played very well and deserved to win. That said the last minute penalty was fair enough. It clearly was sealing off. The issue is the ref Nathan Pierce allowed teams to seal off all game so he wasnt consistent. However during the pick and drives to wind the clock down the ball was kept at the back of the ruck with no intention to play it until the ref told them to get it out. With such clear time wasting and obvious sealing off I dont have an issue with giving this penalty.
PeterK
Roar Guru
Shepherd also plays wing. Beale is still miles ahead of Shepherd. Beale best position by far is 15. If he isnt at 15 he would be on the bench. I think you look for any opportunity to push out Tah players since you obviously dislike the Tahs.
johnny-boy
Guest
I was pleased to see the Force backrow selections - how did they go ?
Hammer
Guest
We were so close!!!!!!
tony the sandgroper
Guest
Another modest game by the officials. TMO was as bad as both touchies and the ref. I sound like a cracked record but the standard of reffing has slipped at the live games I have seen this year. As well as picking players for the RWC for Wallaby selection we should be selecting officials that have a better grasp of the laws and how to manage a game at this level. Both Blues supporters and Force fans in my area were getting fairly intense and agreeing that the ref needed to go. My recommendation is a reffing red card. Pull them if they miss more than three blatant blunders and give the alternates a bench run.
Gary
Guest
Some observations from one who was there: 1. A very exciting and entertaining game well worth the admission price. 2. Up against a team with 13 All Blacks in the 22, the Force showed once again that on a good day they can hold their own against the best. 3. Outstanding performances by Nick Cummins, Sam Wykes and Cameron Shepherd amongst others. 4. Lack of discipline in the dying minutes resulting in a yellow card and penally that cost us the match we should have won easily. 5. The Force showed their squad has depth. 6. Having lost the first game by only one point, and the second by the referee the Force have shown they are no easy beats. 7. Can't wait for the Rebels on April 2.
JF
Guest
Last penalty was not controversial at all, it was clear sealing off - that is what you get Force for trying not to play rugby right to the very end. Good game though - love watching the Force play at home, they have brilliant supporters.
Tui
Guest
Blues were a disgrace. An inept attack and no plan B despite a huge amount of possession . They didn't deserve the draw.
p.Tah
Guest
It must have been great to be there. It wasn't perfect rugby or perfect officiating, but it was an exciting game to watch. I feel gutted for the Force and their supporters, but thats rugby sometimes. They proved doubters like myself wrong, they can play without Pockcock. That's very encouraging for the Force.
p.Tah
Guest
Never been overly impressed with Cummins but this year he is proving me wrong and playing very well.
SamSport
Roar Pro
I actually think the Force figured out the referee before the Blues did, but by the end both were doing it. That last penalty seemed fair to me, if you are going to pick and drive to finish out a game, don't seal the ball off, and don't dive off your feet. The Force should have done better.