The Western Force were left to rue two missed chances after slumping to a heartbreaking 22-21 Super Rugby loss to the Chiefs in Pukekohe on Friday night.
The Force trailed 19-11 at halftime but had the opportunity to win it in the 78th minute when flyhalf Sias Ebersohn lined up for a 53m penalty.
Ebersohn’s kick of the water-logged ball fell well short, but the Force created another good attacking opportunity shortly after when they had a lineout 30m from the tryline.
However, a crooked throw from hooker Heath Tessmann let the Chiefs off the hook yet again, with the defending champions holding on for the win despite scoring just one try to the Force’s two.
“You’re always frustrated when you don’t come away with the result,” Force coach Michael Foley said.
“And one as close as that, you probably think about the little ‘what ifs’.
“They’re the things that run through every player’s mind when you first sit in the sheds after a narrow loss.”
The Chiefs’ only try of the night came through winger Lelia Masaga in the 14th minute, but five penalties and one conversion from flyhalf Aaron Cruden were enough to keep them in second spot on the table.
All Black Cruden was meant to have had an easy night on the bench, with coach Dave Rennie eager to give the overworked playmaker a rest.
But when replacement Gareth Anscombe was ruled out with a broken toe before kick-off, the Chiefs were forced to throw Cruden back into the starting line-up.
The Force made a perfect start with winger Patrick Dellit making the most of a horror pass from Matt Hodgson by toeing the ball forward twice before touching down.
The Chiefs looked rusty in the dewy conditions, but were aided by whistle-happy referee Mike Fraser, who penalised the Force seven times in the opening 26 minutes.
Cruden capitalised by nailing four penalties in the first half, but a second try to Dellit in the 62nd minute closed the gap to just one point.
The sin-binning of prop Kieran Longbottom in the 72nd minute hurt the Force, but they continued to create chances at the death, only to let them slip through their fingers.
Foley said he was proud of the second-half fightback, especially with the team coming off a six-day turnaround and a long trek to New Zealand.
Ash
Guest
The issue was that one team was looked at closer than the other.
Crazy Horse
Guest
The Force definatlely need neutral Reerees. That means a Ref that is not from the East coast of Australia as well as not from the country we are playing against. To much of "penalty ( because the Force look like they might win) from NSW and Queensland Refs.
Crazy Horse
Guest
Well any major code then.
Billy Bob
Guest
Ref at force game aka 'fan in pink' Atrocious refereeing. Not an appearance of bias just ....well ...um... Bias? Yeh that about sums it up.
Blue Blood
Guest
I've had a guy full of the refs. For the cost of a flight and accommodation for one person surely neutral refs are a must. This week the Force had the challenge of a kiwi ref who didn't want to listen or call anything in the Force's favour. Last week they had a Queenslander ref for a Reds game. Come on! At least set them up to at least appear neutral.
dadiggle
Guest
haha at least you got it Jerry
Jerry
Guest
Bok fans complaining about dodgy reffing....love it.
atlas
Guest
Paddy who? get with the play! Head of referees (International Rugby Board IRB High Performance Match Official Manager) is Frenchman Joel Jutge
richard
Guest
If you really believe that,I suggest you go and see your shrink.Of course,every law change is bought about to benefit NZ or Australia. Kind of like the IRB practically banning rucking.
dadiggle
Guest
If referees make errors against Kiwi sides Paddy have to fly down there and apologize personally. SO they take the B option and not nail them as often as they should. Just accept it. Just how things are in the modern game
moaman
Roar Guru
Can't blame the Ref for repeated infringements right in front of the camera---they were going off their feet and sealing off all night. What you can poke your bony finger at is just why the AR couldn't confirm Masaga's try,in the corner,so that the Ref was forced to resort to going upstairs. I'm getting angry about the scrum feeds---when the lineout throws are often crook(as was Schwalger's last one to end the match) and let go-OR.worse--result in a scrum...whereupon the halfback feeds........;-)
dadiggle
Guest
NO. I am referring to the IRB tweaking every 5 minutes with the laws which 9/10 times have the opposite effect of intended purpose/ oh and that NZ and the Aussie scan change any law by simply writing a quick letter
dadiggle
Guest
Well the Atomic bomb theory of Einstein was correct
dadiggle
Guest
Sheep must have huge balls over there
Chivas
Guest
Meaning sheep not elephant.
Chivas
Guest
But they are coated last time I looked not like rugby union balls of old, plus they are a different shape and size.
Chivas
Guest
There is truth to that. But the scientists have never played rugby. Try catching a muddy last leather ball and a muddy wet synthetic ball. I don't know what the scientists are smoking in those labs, but whatever it is it's good!!
Chivas
Guest
Pretty much. It's synthetic. Called all weather balls.
Chris of Vic
Roar Pro
Yep, AFL balls are definitely leather only, each ball is still closed (final few stitches) by hand as well apparently.
reality bites
Guest
The force didnt' commit any scrum infingements. The scrum went down several times (both sides) and the chiefs popped up once. Looked to me like the Force were scrummaging as hard as they could and holding ground. Plus it was slippery under foot. Are you claiming they were cheating?