A gutsy Western Force produced their best win in 12 months with a huge Super Rugby upset over the Queensland Reds on Saturday night in Brisbane.
While all eyes were on Wallabies halfback Will Genia making his injury comeback, it was another No.9, former All Black Alby Mathewson, who starred in a 19-12 triumph at Suncorp Stadium.
Mathewson set up the only try and almost handed another on a plate as the Force celebrated their first win in Brisbane in six attempts.
Not since the Perth franchise smashed the Reds 45-19 almost a year ago to the day, has the Force delivered a better 80-minute team performance.
They were $7.50 underdogs but, in the end, deserved to win by more as they were hungrier in defence and more accurate in attack than Queensland, who were shut out in the second half.
Queensland-raised forwards Hugh McMeniman, Angus Cotterell and Richard Brown all played key roles against a tiring Reds pack.
“We’re bitterly disappointed with the performance,” said Genia.
“Too many errors, too many times running into touch and too many poor passes … it wasn’t acceptable.”
Genia’s halves partner Quade Cooper was guilty of many of the wayward passes and was fortunate not to have given up a chargedown try to Chris Alcock in the first half.
It was the blistering pace of Chris Feauai-Sautia who saved the day.
Despite that, the Force still took a surprise 13-12 halftime lead but would have been further ahead if not for the goalkicking of Cooper, who slotted four penalties, and turnovers forced by flanker Liam Gill.
Queensland too often kicked away possession when they had overlaps in their own half and let the visitors make the play.
The visitors took a 13-9 lead in the 32nd minute when Mathewson broke from the fringes of the lineout, brushing off Saia Faingaa on the way, before putting winger Alfi Mafi over in the left corner.
Genia looked sharp for Queensland in his 40-minute comeback from a knee reconstruction and almost ran down Mafi to stop the try.
While the Reds were held tryless for only the third time at Suncorp Stadium, Mathewson almost set up a second try to Junior Rasolea but his long-range break and chip was snuffed by a tiny fumble before the reserve back dived over.
Queensland were forced into a late change when Anthony Faingaa succumbed to a back injury and Mike Harris was the surprise starter at outside centre.
The Reds could take credit for keeping their line intact in the second half, at one point snuffing out a 16-phase assault by the Force just after sin-binned flanker Ed Quirk (shoulder charge) returned to the field.
But then a dubious scrum penalty against them on their feed allowed Sias Ebersohn to kick the visitors seven points clear with 11 minutes left in front of a stunned crowd of 26,709.
For Force coach Michael Foley it was a cherished victory, ending an 11-match personal losing streak dating back to last year with the NSW Waratahs.
But Foley was quick to deflect all the praise and attention on to the character, unity and work ethic of his players, as well as the faith of long-time club contributors.
“I think we’re developing a very strong belief in each other,” Foley said.
“I think (the win) is great reward for hard work.”
Queensland’s forward stocks were stretched following a head knock and gash to lock Rob Simmons, but Reds coaching boss Ewen McKenzie offered no excuses.
“They (the Force) played well, you have to give them credit,” McKenzie said. “They were desperate and determined and through our own errors we didn’t match them, so it was disappointing from that sense.”
McKenzie defended Cooper, saying his whole team is failing to fire, while Genia admitted the Reds do feel out of tune.
“There is frustration,” the Wallabies halfback said. “We feel like we’re just struggling to find a bit of rhythm in our game and attack and if you look at specifically this game it’s just the breakdown.
“They were able to get in there and slow us down at crucial times.”
Cattledog
Roar Guru
Too much hanging around with SBW and those idiots Khoder and Mundine. Get away from the influences they have, and that includes ALL influences, and he'll be a changed person. Until then, just mediocrity and certainly not even in the Lions squad.
BetterRedThanDead
Guest
Excellent comment, WB. Agree wholeheartedly. I was there and whilst the Reds were very poor and lacking cohersion, the Force were having a go at everything. Their forwards in particular dominated, were hungry at the breakdown and solid in the set plays. Reds forwards not working as a pack in general play and their line outs were full of holes. Really missing the power and presence of Higgers. Scrum not too bad though. Well done Force. Reds need to find a spark because, as mentioned, losses such like this hurt at the back end of the season - as the Reds found out last year.
Wii
Guest
I would say they are bang on the mark myself. I would say your comment is quite ignorant and shows an unwillingness to accept the truth of the Western Force being behind the eight ball pretty much since their formation. They are no longer the new kids on the block, this is their 7th year in the competition. This comes down to two things IMO 1. Lack of support from the ARU 2. The willingness of fans to accept mediocrity from the Force, Last night they ground out a win, it's debateable as to if the Force were sublime or the Reds poor. I liked what I seen from the Force but it makes me ask where is this commitment week in week out? If they can bring that passion on a consistent basis they could seriously challenge for a top two spot in the Australian conference. Until then they are and will remain one of the poorer teams in Super Rugby
gaffa
Guest
As much as i hate the ARU they had nothing to do with the the force playing the same night as the derby. The super draw came out weeks before the AFL draw and u would almost say it was a big F you to the ARU from the AFL for the games at subi during their finals last year and this year.
Rockin Rod
Guest
http://www.theage.com.au/polls/rugby-union/union-news/pocock-replacement-20130311-2fvh7.html#poll
Rockin Rod
Guest
The public says Alcock over Hooper and Gill
joe b
Guest
lippy, your comments re the force are truly ignorant. It also shows lack of knowledge of australian rugby politics and resource allocation amongst the franchises.
Marley
Guest
It is hardly irrelevant Crazy Horse. Even after the moral boosting win over a former champion Reds outfit stack full of ex and current Wallabies the Force still sit in a lowly 11th place with their fellow countrymen Tahs, Rebels along with the Kings and Highlanders below them. It pays to note the Force have played one extra match than many of their opposition
Crazy Horse
Guest
Weren't you watching last week? That was a hell of a performance by the Force almost beating the Bulls at home.
Crazy Horse
Guest
Because the Sydneycentric ARU doesn't bother to look what else is going on in Perth when they set the fixtures. The AFL Eagles v Dockers match always dominates the media for the week leading up to it. It will be very hard to get any coverage for Rugby.
Crazy Horse
Guest
This is 2013. What has gone before is irrelevant. On current form the Tahs are the worst team in the Australian conference.
Selector
Guest
Not impressed with the Force until they put on a performance like that outside of the conference. Again this year we will watch Aussies teams step up for local games and just play each other out the finals, because they don't put the same in for the other matches. Jake White has ensured his team is always firing at 100% with a positive rotation policy and by removing any individual arrogance. Losing to the blues last year was the best thing that could have happened to the team. Brumbies unfortunatly will be the only team to make it from our conference.
Nathan of Perth
Roar Rookie
Good stuff from the Western Force, love to see them break a duck. Have a chance to try and string a very rare streak together playing the Cheetahs next week, first time with their brand new stand, which should attract a bit of attention. I do not know why, for the life of me, why they decided to schedule their home opener at the exact same time as the AFL Western Derby though. Madness.
AJ
Guest
Well done to the Force. Was at the game and were there an offer to have your season pass refunded at the end of the game, the Reds membership wouldve halved. These are the nights you miss the Ballymore bull pen, for the uninitiated thats the bar at the back of the grandstand, sometimes filled with folk who dont quite make it back to their seats. It's not just the players fault however. Just two of the things that drive me insane. Penalties for collapsing scrums and particularly early engagement . Games are won and lost on this. While important, this is not the game. Not to mention that its purely based on the guess work of officials (who are unlikely to have ever packed into the front row of any scrum.) Drink breaks at the drop of a hat. Just before halftme there was exactly 1 second left on the clock and one lineout to play. A player goes down and suddenly there's half adozen trainers all over the field and team meeings etc. Get em off and play the game. The game itself was boring enough without having a cup of tea at every stop in play.
Jiggles
Roar Guru
Hooper was the best wallaby last year so it's not fair to write him off. In saying that Gill is showing the best form since smith back in the early 2000s. Watching him Stepping up to Tests is going to be great to see. There was a 30 minute period in the 1st half where it seemed like he was involved in every second phase in attack and defense.
Jiggles
Roar Guru
Last night it seemed like he almost didn't care.
Wii
Guest
The Force played well last night however the Reds weren't exactly running hot now were they. As for the Forces having injuries every team has injuries the Reds / Blues and Tahs have all had major injury crisis in recent years it can not and should not be used as an excuse. I applaud the Force on their win last night but let's not kid ourselves or look for excuses they are as has been pointed out above one of the struggling teams of Super Rugby, not once making a final of any level since their inception in 2006. I would love to see them do well for the competitions sake as Australia needs a truly competitive conference.
stillmissit
Roar Guru
harry: I am trapped in 2 minds - nothing new there - I dislike the guy and his attitude, but we need all players travelling at their best, he is a long way below that. Needs to reinvent himself as you say many have worked him out. Watch for many centres and wings looking for an intercept from him once they get it.
stillmissit
Roar Guru
Jiggles: That boy is really standing up I think Hooper will under the pump to get a start ahead of him on current form. Watched him in U21's and wondered if he would make it.
Bakkies
Guest
''while the real Tahs are running the ball.'' with no real effect. Reds kicked a lot when they won in 2011 but it was purposeful kicking with good chasing. Now they are just going back to type.