The Force closed out the Super W home-and-away season with a 19-point win over the Brumbies.
Final score
Brumbies 10
Force 29
The Brumbies and the Force are doing battle from the nation’s capital, as a prelude to Super Rugby. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 5pm AEST.
You could be forgiven for thinking this game was no more than a bronze medal game so to speak, but the teams won’t look at it like that, as pride goes on the line tonight from Canberra.
The Brumbies form leading into this game has been here and there, with large losses to Queensland and New South Wales, but played a strong second half to beat the Rebels 37-8.
As for the Force, well they’ve dropped off following a 72-point win to start the competition, with losses to NSW and Qld being their downfall. The Women from the west currently hold third place, but will surrender it with a loss in Canberra tonight.
In team news: the Brumbies make four changes, as Brittany-Lee Bedford takes over from Voleta Tupuola in the front row, and Charlene Gubb comes into the lock position for Canberra, while Jane Garraway replaces Remi Wilton.
For the Force, one change in the forwards, Tai Marshall comes in for Alex Bannon, and we have a major backline shuffle as Huia Swannell moves to inside centre.
Prediction
Force to be too strong in Canberra, but don’t expect a Round 1-esque scoreline.
Force by 11.
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 5pm AEST.
Tom English
Roar Guru
Full Time 80' - So that's that, and we round up the home and away season of Super W, with a Force win away from home. The only scoring in the first half came against them, as Shellie Milward went over in the 6th minute, which wasn't converted. In the second half things started to happen; Zakira Kareopa scored, putting the Force back on equal terms, before Zion Taurima went over for a converted try giving the Force a 7 point lead. Zion Taurima did it all again a few minutes later, scoring to give her side a 14 point buffer, as Cope added 3 more for 22-5. Hodder said hello to her old friend the white line in the 68th minute, with a long range try giving her a tournament 7th. Milward started scoring off and finished if off as well via a score in the 73rd giving the locals something to cheer about. As for the competition: it takes a week off for the Commonwealth games 7s, with the Super W final to be played the weekend after next, with NSW hosting Qld. Speaking of the Commonwealth Games; I'll be bringing you the womens hockey between Australia and Ghana from 9:30pm. I hope to see you then, but bye for now. Canberra Brumbies : 10 Western Force: 29
Tom English
Roar Guru
While after the hooter here, but play still continues.
Tom English
Roar Guru
79' - Close and closer to fulltime, score still sits at 29-10. Been an interesting game this. Canberra Brumbies : 5 Western Force: 29
Tom English
Roar Guru
Try 74' - Shellia Milward gets a double for the home side; the Brumbies! Conversion is wide out, and misses, but they will take something out of that. Canberra Brumbies : 5 Western Force: 29
Tom English
Roar Guru
7 minutes 30 left, Force by 22.
Tom English
Roar Guru
Try 70' - Conversion is good as well. Force can do no wrong. Canberra Brumbies : 5 Western Force: 29
Tom English
Roar Guru
Try 69' - The Force score a long range one and guess who! Courtney Hodder is no stranger to long range tries, or any tries for that matter, anyway she goes over and the Force have this game. Canberra Brumbies : 5 Western Force: 27
Tom English
Roar Guru
Penalty Goal 68' - We've got a penalty goal! Tui Cope more than happy to add some more pressure to the Brumbies, and the women from the west are up by 17. Canberra Brumbies : 5 Western Force: 22
Tom English
Roar Guru
Try 63' - Kick is good! Tui Cope does it from out wide, and the Force are unstoppable! Canberra Brumbies : 5 Western Force: 17
Tom English
Roar Guru
Try 61' - Another one! The Force are really starting to turn it on, and here they are with a try to Zion Taurima, coincidentally her second of the night. Canberra Brumbies : 5 Western Force: 17
Tom English
Roar Guru
Conversion 52' - Tui Cope with the easiest of conversions. Canberra Brumbies : 5 Western Force: 12
Tom English
Roar Guru
52' - Oh here's a TRY! To the Force, and this game is getting better! Zion Taurima gets the five pointer! Canberra Brumbies : 5 Western force: 5
Tom English
Roar Guru
52' - Conversion unsuccessful. Tui Cope failing to break the deadlock, from the sideline though. Canberra Brumbies : 5 Western force: 5
Tom English
Roar Guru
Try 51' - Feel the Force! They score via Zakira Kareopa! Canberra Brumbies : 5 Western force: 5
Tom English
Roar Guru
Half Time 44' - Pretty quiet game this... Canberra Brumbies : 5 Western force: 0
Tom English
Roar Guru
Half Time 40' - Ok that's the break, the Brumbies lead by five in a low scoring one. Canberra Brumbies : 5 Western force: 0
Tom English
Roar Guru
28' - Long period of no scoring, which is what we're getting used to from this comp- except the NSW games. Canberra Brumbies : 5 Western force: 0
Tom English
Roar Guru
In the earlier game; NSW destroyed Melbourne 57-0.
Tom English
Roar Guru
Three penalties conceded each at this point.
Tom English
Roar Guru
The Brumbies were the first to score, and they now lead 5-0.