A stunning three-try effort by Nick Cummins has seen the Western Force stun the Israel Folau-less NSW Waratahs with a 28-16 victory at Perth’s nib Stadium on Saturday night.
The Force continue to make history in a surprise run this Super Rugby season after losing the opening two games.
They have now won five straight matches; Saturday night’s victory over the Waratahs in Perth their first over the NSW side and in front of a much-improved crowd of 14,281.
The win sees them jump into second spot in the Australian conference.
Despite coming into the game on the high of beating the Stormers in Cape Town, the Waratahs were rocked on Friday when the ARU decided to pull star back Folau from the team despite already being cleared by their own medical staff to return from a throat injury.
The Waratahs got the game’s first score through a penalty just inside halfway from Kurtley Beale in the ninth minute, repeating the dose to make it 6-0 just two minutes later.
After the Force steadied through a penalty, Cummins intercepted a pass from Nick Phipps and ran almost the length of the field to score a try to the delight of the screaming home fans.
Sias Ebersohn converted for the Force to lead 10-6 after 27 minutes and then the two teams traded penalties with the home side leading 13-9 at halftime.
Early in the second half a try was initially awarded to the Waratahs’ right winger Cam Crawford but was ultimately denied when it was ruled that his teammate Jono Lance had obstructed the Force’s Alby Mathewson from making a tackle.
If the Waratahs were disappointed in that, they were even more so just minutes later when Cummins crossed for his second try of the night.
Mathewson did some great work setting up Cummins who then got the glory by crossing out wide.
The Force had lost Sam Wykes (shoulder) and Mathewson (shin) by the 55-minute mark with the Waratahs pressing, but another stunning effort from Cummins closed the door on them.
The Waratahs answered right back with a try in the corner to Beale and the Bernard Foley conversion cut the Force’s lead to 25-16, but that was as close as they would get.
Tatah
Guest
You should take him. Good decision grabbing Graham, why not have a crack at super coach Foley?
Tatah
Guest
That would go a long way. I'd suggest if you look at super rugby winners they generally possess a quality five eighth and coach. It think Whitaker served us for years as a quality half, however we've had some very, very ordinary coaches and fly halves over the years. I thought that Cheika and Foley might be the answer this year. Still a believer in Cheika, but Foley has been nowhere near his best which we need him to be if we're going to do well in this comp. Lance is flat out awful - Horne must be brought into 12.
Tatah
Guest
Tell me who he got past. I'd love another option at inside for the Wallabies but I'm not really sure what the hype is with this kid.
andrewM
Guest
I wonder what impact Izzy would have had? The Tahs simply tried the same thing over and over and got the same result. They were found wanting for ideas. Force defence was awesome against such a bruising attack. I think the Rebels may fancy themselves next week as the guys will be sore as buggery from that one.
jameswm
Guest
And the try overrule. Tahs wetre so dominant and Hodgson could give McCaw lessons on how to cheat.
jameswm
Guest
I have erased that game from my memory. It was too painful. It never happened.
Combesy
Guest
You obviously haven't looked at the table to realise you are only 4 points above the reds...
soapit
Guest
good attack poor defence. isnt that the prototype winger?
Campbell Watts
Guest
Super sub at best - not the man for an 80min position
Campbell Watts
Guest
Because when he pulls on BLACK he is without doubt the best 12 in the world!!! Why do you think he gets picked???
RobC
Roar Guru
Up to the Badger intercept, Tahs were on their way to a win. After that, it was a different game. Force also exposed the same gaps around the ruck, as they did in their previous match. One ended up as Matheson break, Badger try.
Magic Sponge
Guest
That must be it , the defence was immense and Goodwin must have been doing a large part of it, because there were very few gaps there. There was one hit where Skelton ran hard at the line and two Force players hit him really hard I actually heard the sound, it took the wind out of the big fella, but the hits were enormous last night and that is all attitude.
Magic Sponge
Guest
yeah but as a fullback Beale was no where to be seen for Cummins 3 tries . WTF
eagleJack
Guest
Jez when your team has less than a 20% win record against another, you can expect some obnoxious posts from some of their fans.
ncart
Guest
Great win by the Force, I thought they were going to be penalised out of the game early on but they adapted and played brilliantly as a team. Good to see locals like Haylett-Petty getting a go and the run of wins should really boost the local support. Ebersohn seems to be steering the ship without really generating any real attack - I'd like to see some more zest there but they are certainly doing better than expected after the first couple of games. Good on them, and kudos to the coaching team there. Hopefully they can continue this and really develop the local talent.
Crazy Horse
Guest
Can't wait for Spiro's spin on this.
AJ
Guest
Pakeha Hori and Buzzard..... reds fans No.s 1 & 2.
Crazy Horse
Guest
Tell me who got past him.
Crazy Horse
Guest
And he's got a little brother in the WA in the WA under 17 side.
joeb
Guest
Yes, did hear that in the commentary. Good stuff.