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The Western Force have put a dent in the NSW Waratahs’ ambitions of winning Super Rugby’s Australian conference, beating the defending champions for a second time this season.
Off the back of a try in each half to Ryan Louwrens and captain Matt Hodgson, the Force ground down the Waratahs to win 18-11 at nib Stadium.
The Force had also opened the 2015 season with a 25-13 win over the Waratahs in Sydney but then lost 10 matches in between in a season of bad luck, missed opportunities and frustration.
The Waratahs did score a second half try courtesy of exciting winger Taqele Naiyaravoro, but it wasn’t enough to back up last week’s win over the Brumbies.
As a result the Waratahs missed the chance to jump to the top of the Australian conference ahead of the Brumbies with five games to go.
The sides are now locked on 32 points apiece on the ladder.
It took 20 minutes for the game’s first score but that came courtesy of the Force when a turnover by Ben McCalman set up halfback Louwrens to make his path through an opening in the Waratahs’ defence and score a try.
Luke Burton converted after having come on to briefly replace Sias Ebersohn who was being tested for concussion, but the ‘Tahs worked back into the contest with penalties by Bernard Foley.
Things turned again just before halftime though, with Sekope Kepu’s sin binning for stomping in the ruck and then two more penalties to Burton helping the Force to a 13-6 lead.
The Waratahs scored the first try of the second half through Naiyaravoro, but the Force hit back thanks to Hodgson scoring the five-pointer on the back of a terrific rolling maul.
The Force then led 18-11 but Hodgson received a yellow card in the 70th minute, leaving him sidelined for the rest of the match.
The Waratahs however couldn’t take advantage of their edge in numbers and were left to rue another loss to the unfancied home side.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.