Western Force showcased their trademark grit, but it was to no avail as the Chiefs secured a 35-27 bonus-point win in Friday night’s Super Rugby clash in Hamilton.
The Force were reduced to 14 men in the 29th minute when halfback Ian Prior was red carded for a dangerous tip tackle on Tim Nanai-Williams.
Nanai-Williams landed on his head and shoulder in the incident, but he was able to play on.
The Force had given a good account of themselves up until that point, winning the territory battle and being rewarded with a 15th-minute try to flanker Angus Cottrell.
After Prior was sent off, it was always going to be an uphill battle to get anything out of the match.
And a romp of epic proportions looked to be on the cards when the Chiefs extended the gap to 30-8 early in the second half.
But to the Force’s credit, they fought on valiantly to score three second-half tries, giving them a four-try bonus point.
Had Luke Burton nailed a sideline conversion in the 78th minute, the margin would have been just six points.
But his miss allowed the Chiefs to escape with victory.
The result was the Force’s ninth straight defeat – a sad way to mark the 100th Super Rugby appearance of prop Pek Cowan.
A loss to the Blues in Auckland next week would consign the Force to their worst losing run, eclipsing the nine straight losses in their inaugural year of 2006.
In contrast, the Chiefs sit on top of the table after improving their record to 8-2.
The Force made a bright start to the match, but the hot boot of Chiefs five-eighth Marty McKenzie ensured the home side kept the score ticking along early.
Prior’s brain implosion delivered a cruel blow to the Force, with a try to Hika Elliot shortly before halftime and a penalty try after the break putting the Chiefs in control.
The Force looked stunned and bereft of answers at that point.
But a 70m team try to Luke Morahan in the 56th minute sparked life into the Force, with skipper Matt Hodgson and reserve hooker Heath Tessmann also scoring to make matters interesting.
Old Bugger
Guest
Absolutely....
Aucklandlaurie
Guest
I agree Cliff, Coaches are coaching the game and the players are playing the game at a far higher standard than the referees are refereeing the game.
Cliff (Bishkek)
Guest
As an aside and the Force did well to come back. Their tactics need improving and I am certain that Foley is not a good team coach - forward coach yes but for overall judgement and setting plays - no. But on the other issue of refereeing, I am currently in Tanzania on contract and staying with a mate who is 1/2 English and 1/2 Aus and we watched the 6 Nations. As far as I am concerned the STANDARD OF REFREEING WORLD WIDE - BOTH SOUTHERN AND NORTHERN HEMISPHERE is very poor - the poorest I have seen in some 40 years of playing and watching Rugby. Sorry but so true. Yes the scrums, rucks and mauls laws are difficult but the referees do not seem to be able to logical judge who to penalise or in fact how to interpret an infringement. Very poor in nearly all games the referees are impacting the outcome of the game, either in a small way or at times with massive blunders. A referee, and I was not a referee's best friend, said to be in 1970 that the rules are there and explained in a book but a good referee has to interpret them to suit the situation and determine his action to suit the situation; i.e. unless blatantly an impact let the game flow. Cheers
bennalong
Guest
Red cards are a blight on the game. 'Lifting above the horizontal" encompasses a lot of safe tackles as well as those you want to stamp out. Treat them like a yellow but the player is off for the game and is replaced aftewr 10 minutes, and the player fronts the judiciary. Rugby's a strange beast. Doing what they did in the second half against the Chiefs was still impressive and their tries were good ones. Was it BECAUSE they were stung by the injustice of the Red? We'll never know but good on 'em!
AndyS
Guest
Agreed, but they tended to passed it back into the pod before the maul had formed and should have been called for obstruction. On the whole I thought the Chiefs did a really good job of playing a very lacklustre ref.
Jibba Jabba
Guest
As is the coach - though for some unknown reason people keep talking him up.... 30% win record = boot out the door in any sport! . I think the only thing keeping the team competitive is the input from the senior players such as Hodgson, Matthewson and McCalman.
Squirrel
Roar Rookie
There tactics the up and under and the rolling maul. Nothing else. Out of reds and force for the spoon. I will go reds to get the spoon as they are soft whereas the force are just dumb
El Gamba
Roar Guru
Was interested to see the Chiefs tactic of picking the ball from the base and mauling it. Don't think its that common but they showed that it can work.
Mike
Guest
Yes well played by Force under the circumstances.
pjm
Roar Rookie
Cummings is just an average player, not one where you have to get him the ball ala Folau.
Paul
Guest
I thought the force were dudded a couple of times. With the penalty try, the Chiefs started the push before the ball was in. Some odd breakdown calls as well. Still an excellent effort, shame the last kick missed they deserved at least 2 points for that game.
Peter Hughes
Guest
The Force have looked bereft of answers since the 2nd game of the season. Force had already lost the game by the time of the send off. Only surprise was that they got so close to a Chief side who had obviously turned off in the 2nd half. Force are last in the comp cause they deserve it imo. They're also THE most boring team to watch & refuse to give Cummings the ball. He should switch to another province next year.