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The Western Force posted their first win of the season and consigned the NSW Waratahs to their worst start to a Super Rugby campaign in 15 years.
Debutant fullback Dave Harvey enjoyed a dream debut as the Force squeezed out a spirited 21-20 victory in the Australian conference derby at Allianz Stadium.
Harvey, the 29-year-old nephew of Australian cricket great Neil Harvey, contributed 16 points from a try, conversion and three penalty goals.
And the two-times Ken Catchpole Medallist as Sydney club rugby’s best and fairest player produced his starring role before his family and friends just days after signing a four-week contract for the injury-depleted Force.
“I’m really pleased for him,” said Force coach Richard Graham.
“He’s been knocking on the door, been on the fringe of every Super rugby side for the last three or four years.
“And to come to us and score the first try, kick a couple of penalties … and I think what’s really satisfying for him is he got a win here in front of his wife, his family, his friends, his family who have supported him in his rugby.”
The Gordon playmaker wasn’t the only debutant to enjoy a memorable night out, with winger Samu Wara crossing for the match-winning try in the 64th minute.
Graham was forced to make seven changes to his starting side this week and the satisfaction at scoring such an against-the-odds win was written all over his and skipper David Pocock’s faces.
“After the last three weeks for the group, to get the reward after a fairly gutsy performance, we’re very happy to get the four points,” Pocock said.
“It’s never easy to come to the SFS and win.”
While the Force were rejoicing after finally breaking their duck, the Waratahs’ frustrations continue.
After suffering similarly-narrow defeats against the high-flying Highlanders and titleholders the Queensland Reds, the Tahs have won just one from four, matching the franchise’s poor start in 1997.
Losing coach Michael Foley lamented his team’s ill-discipline and “poor attitude”, while prop Benn Robinson admitted some of the penalties the home side conceded were “inexcusable”.
The Waratahs looked to be back in business when five-eighth and captain Daniel Halangahu put his side four points in front with successive penalty goals in the 57th and 62nd minutes.
But Wara had the final say when he accepted a nice pass from hooker Nathan Charles and stepped inside Halangahu to dive over in the right corner two minutes later.
The Waratahs had started well enough, with winger Adam Ashley-Cooper tagging on to a rolling maul and being rewarded for his initiative with the opening try after just five minutes.
Halangahu converted for a 7-0 lead.
Harvey notched his first points in Super Rugby with an easy 10th-minute penalty goal to reduce the deficit to four and then scored off an inside ball from five-eighth James Stannard and converted to give the Force a 10-7 lead.
NSW regained the advantage just before the break with a try against the run of play to winger Tom Kingston.
Halangahu’s conversion had the Waratahs four points in front before Harvey’s second penalty in the 40th minute made it a one-point ball game at halftime.
Ashley-Cooper had a try denied early in the second half when centre Rob Horne was penalised for obstruction before Harvey put the Force briefly ahead again with a penalty in the 53rd minute.
The Tahs briefly regained the lead, only for Wara to crash the party late.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.