The Western Force recorded a franchise-record eighth win of the season with a 29-19 triumph over the Lions in Saturday night’s Super Rugby clash in Perth.
Skipper Matt Hodgson produced another Herculean display in scoring two tries – including the bonus-point fourth try – while Jayden Hayward and Chris Tuatara-Morrison also crossed.
The Force’s fifth straight home win lifted them to fourth on the ladder with just four games remaining.
The Lions entered the match on a six-game losing streak.
But apart from a disastrous four-minute period just before halftime and another bad six-minute period before the fulltime whistle, they proved to be a hard nut to crack.
Time and again they repelled the Force’s attacking forays, before two tries in the final six minutes finally killed off the contest.
An early downpour ensured for slippery conditions, and the Force’s efforts to make a strong start to the match were thwarted by a series of scrum infringements.
Those penalties gave the Lions vital field advantage at several key times, and the visitors shot out to a 9-3 lead in the 28th minute when flyhalf Marnitz Boshoff nailed his third penalty.
But the turning point of the half came in the 35th minute when Nathan Charles was knocked unconscious as he tried to barge his way to the line.
Lions prop Corne Fourie was given a yellow card for the shoulder charge, and the Force made the most of the numerical advantage with two tries in the next four minutes.
Hodgson charged over for his fifth try of the season, while fullback Hayward crossed out wide just a minute before halftime to give the Force a 15-9 lead.
The Force unleashed an attacking onslaught after the break, camping themselves inside the Lions’ 22m for the best part of the next 20 minutes.
However, the home side failed to get any reward for their hard work, with Nick Cummins’ try disallowed due to obstruction, and several other attacking forays falling just short of the line.
It was nervous moments when the Lions closed to three points with 15 minutes remaining.
Tuatara-Morrison’s 74th-minute try eased tensions, but a disastrous clearance attempt from Cummins four minutes later allowed Lions substitute Elton Jantjies to close the gap back to three points.
Enter Hodgson.
With the game on the line and a bonus point still on the cards, the recalled Wallaby stuck out his right hand through two defenders to touch down at the post with 90 seconds remaining.
Hertryk
Guest
The TMO intervened because Walsh couldn't get the replay on the big screen because of ad's! As for the obstruction? The Force player hasn't got eyes in the back of his head! The Lions player ran in to him and even the normally anti-Force Fox commentators agreed!
Hertryk
Guest
The TMO intervened because Walsh couldn't get the replay on the big screen because of ad's! As for the obstruction? The Force player hasn't got eyes in the back of his head! The Lions player ran in to him and even the normally anti-Force Fox commentators agreed!
Chan Wee
Guest
of course he did after all Walsh is not Dumbledore to know the player's "Intentions".
Chan Wee
Guest
it is interesting note the TMO role in rugger. apparently he was in Walsh's ear about foul play and recommended a yellow card. this is different to the powers of the 3rd umpire in cricket. even if he sees an obvious mistake by on field umpres the 3rd ump cannot talkto them. however the match referee has certain powers to correct any mistake as to scoring - say a case where a four is given when the ball hits the line by on field umpires without consulting 3rd umpire. also despite sitting in the same box, the match referee cannot interfere in the decision making of the 3rd umpire. even if the 3rd ump makes a mistake he cannot talk to him and make any correction. also the 3rd umpire does not have access to commentry - only the visuals. whiile it is said that the 3rd ump has more visulas (angles) than the home viewer there have been technical gliches where the visual became available after the decision was taken, thus .... i watched the H Cup fianl and it had pathetic coverage. to hear tmo say those are the only visuals i have in a match of such stature is madness!!!
PeterK
Guest
well he was moving IN FRONT of Cummins, of his own violation, and obstructed a tackler. It would be different if he was behind Cummins. Its not grid iron you know.
PeterK
Guest
ok agree BUT I believe Felix was referring to Walsh.
Crazy Horse
Guest
Next week will be crucial. The injuries are mounting. But then there is three weeks off. The squad should be at full strength for the last three games. Foley is going to have selection problems of the best kind trying to fit Mathewson, Morahan, Rasolea, McMeniman, Brache and Godwin back into the team.
Crazy Horse
Guest
Not sure if its was Gits but you could be right. Unfortunately he won't be playing next week as he's the Under 20s vice captain and will be in Auckland.
Crazy Horse
Guest
Of course he was moving. They were attacking the line and about to score!
I agree with you, what the card did though, it changed the complexion of the game, with the Lions leading 9-3 they were making the play and the Force was kicking for territory, as soon as the card came, it all changed. From then on the Lions were defending their line as the Force confidence was high. I don't think the Lions would have won, but they made a good fist of it until the TMO got involved in a tackle that is mad many times close to the line..
Chan Wee
Guest
and a bonus point to Lions too , not that it matters but for moral ;)
Tommo
Guest
Is it just me or does Burton remind anyone else of a young Giteau? Just something about the way he runs the ball and jinks... It would make sense as he was 13-14 when Gits was playing for the Force, perhaps influenced his style of play?
Tommo
Guest
I agree with you Peter, but have you seen the amount of NZ derbies over the next few weeks? A clear distinction will be made between the highlanders, canes, chiefs and saders and it won't be so close after the next two rounds... I think 11 points from the next 20 will just be enough for the force so a bonus point loss against the saders could prove crucial.
Crazy Horse
Guest
Possibly but orher sides, notably the Brumbies, have one less to play. Tahs and Force have a possible 4 wins and 20 points available. The Brumbies only have a maximum of three wins and 15 points ledt.
The TMO officiates, doesn't he?
Hopperdoggy
Guest
I'd have thought 10.1(c) applied in this case. Watching the replays, it seemed obvious the player obstructing deliberately checked his run to block the tackler. It was a stupid move coz it seemed likely Cummins would have made the ground anyway. Fair call Steve - he was adjudicating the spirit of the law if not the absolute wording.
PeterK
Guest
agree that Force are a good chance of winning both their home matches. However as I stated elsewhere I do not believe that will be enough to make the finals. The comp is so close, there are so many teams still vying to make it. You need to win 3 to be sure of making it.
Crazy Horse
Guest
So where to now for the Force? First lets note that the Force have exactly the same number wins (8 from 12) as of both the Tahs and the Crusaders. The major difference is that the Tahs have more bonus points. Thanks mainly to Izzy's tremendous start to the season before the other teams worked him out the Tahs also have a stunning positive points difference. Next week is shaping up as the big one. The Crusaders at their place. Always a very big ask. The winner will be one game from finals certainty, the loser struggling. The Crusaders will rightly start favourites at home but the Force are a bogey team, having beaten the Crusaders several times. Then three weeks off for the tests. Then Blues and Reds at home. Both very winnable. Then the Brumbies away. Similar to the Crusaders. The Brumbies should start favourites but the Force have bea them in the same game last year albiet in Perth. I'Im going to go out on a limb and tip that the Force will win both of their home matches giving them a finals berth. If they can know off either the Crusaders or the Brumbies a home final is possible.
PeterK
Guest
I thought Walsh was correct. The force play was NOT stationary , he was in front of Cummins AND he continued to move and ended up in front of the would be tackler.
PeterK
Guest
felix you are far more tunnel minded and show far more bias than I.