The Western Force are daring to dream of snaring the Super Rugby AU crown after securing a landmark finals appearance in the most dramatic circumstances.
The Force needed to beat the ladder-leading Queensland Reds in Perth on Friday night in order to secure third spot.
Things were looking bleak at 21-7 down late in the first half, but a stunning hat trick from the Force’s English winger Jordan Olowofela lifted the Perth-based team to the 30-27 victory.
It continued a trend of heart-stopping wins for the Force, who beat the Rebels 16-15 in Melbourne a fortnight ago, before downing the NSW Waratahs 31-30 with an after-the-siren penalty last week.
The win over the Reds was the Force’s best and most courageous performance of the season, especially considering they played 30 minutes of the match with 14 men due to three separate yellow cards.
Confidence is now oozing at the Force, and they fancy their chances of beating the Brumbies in next Saturday’s semi-final in Canberra, before knocking off the Reds in Queensland in the grand final.
“All the way, no doubt,” Force coach Tim Sampson replied when asked what his team can achieve.
“You’ve got to ride the wave. We’ve proven we can win tight games, and in finals footy, you’re going to be in tight contests.
“We have the confidence going into the semi next week in Canberra of grinding out the game, whatever it takes.”
Star Force fullback Rob Kearney, who was a late withdrawal against the Reds after failing to recover fully from his adductor injury, is expected to return against the Brumbies.
The second-placed Brumbies easily beat the Force on both occasions this year, posting a 27-11 win in Perth, and a 42-14 win in Canberra.
But stand-in Force captain Kyle Godwin says his team are up for the challenge.
(Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
“The Brumbies are a quality outfit. They’ve notoriously been the best Australian Super Rugby side in history. So for us, we’re up for a big challenge,” Godwin said.
“We’re building some great momentum here.
“We’ve got great belief and trust in each other that we do have the quality and we do have the squad to go forward and do some damage in this competition.”
Sampson was full of pride after watching the Force end a 16-year finals drought in front of 6278 diehard fans just hours before Perth went into a three-day lockdown.
piru
Roar Rookie
Nope, not sure what the commentators were on about, but it was clearly sideways, refs looked at it enough times
Crazy Horse
Roar Pro
I’ve been Forced to watch the replay of Friday nights game several times!
Crazy Horse
Roar Pro
Whatever happens in the finals, there is no doubt that the Force are back and are highly competitive.
Crazy Horse
Roar Pro
Cubelli and Miotti are both playing exceptionally well.
Mungbean74
Roar Rookie
This is what Australian rugby has been waiting for! Whoever kicked the Force out a few years ago needs a slap in the face and be forced ( no pun intended) to watched the highlights to Last Friday’s match. How good is it to see a competitive competition and it going down to the wire. As a Reds supporter I still loved seeing the likes of the older crew and especially Jeremy Trush and Richard Kahui when the siren sounded, knowing all the work they have put in to once again have the chance to play finals footy at an elite level. You gotta love rugby and I’m happy for rugby Australia that they are getting positive results.
Anibal Pyro
Roar Rookie
Thanks. Miotti is an outstanding player, he will improve . Lezana well, he is a profesional, but I agree. Bad luck with Montoya, a great 2. With Cubelli and Medrano you have the expected results, a very experienced player, and a young front row .
Bourkos
Roar Rookie
My bad
Mo
Guest
We didn’t get Montoya coz his Missus was denied a visa. Lezano was the flanker.
Loosey
Roar Rookie
There was some trepidation early afternoon on the day of the game due to the imminent lockdown. McGowan recommended don’t go, obviously did not understand the stakes or the loyalty of fans. Stuff it, I thought, I’m going. What a game. The Force have to rethink box kicks in the final third, cannot afford a charge down like that which happened in the 77th minute. There’s no way that was a penalty in the clean up, in fact it should have gone the other way because Uru, as the tackler, did not show a clear release. The yellow for the ‘no arms’ tackle was very harsh, but K-train lucky to get back on after a brain fade in the 2nd minute, but so glad he did just to witness the shot on Paisami. Wow. Anstee also collared him when he a great line break on with a desperate tackle. Great game by everyone but shout out to the “Space Cowboys” - Thrush and Kahui - great touches. I thought Robertson did well against the vaunted Tupou. Immense scrums in the last quarter of the match to close it out, especially the maul in the final minute. Petaia, well, just needs to do more to match the hype really, doesn’t he?
Bourkos
Roar Rookie
Cubelli is playing well and finally sniping around rucks etc. Miotti is doing the basics well but shovelling the ball off without confronting defense. Miotti has kicked some clutch penalties that have helped us win tight games though. Medrano on the whole has been disappointing and has not really stood out for an international. Montoya is injured but also pretty unproductive when on field
Blind Eye
Guest
You need to go to Specsavers.
JRVJ
Roar Rookie
The Force's decision to hire the Argentine foursome (plus Kearney, I suppose though he hasn't played much) was crucial, as it has fostered an increase in the playing level of the whole side. One would hope that the Force's young players can continue developing in future years, when they no longer have so many foreign players on their side.
Anibal Pyro
Roar Rookie
Greetings from Argentina. Can anyone tell me how the Argies are playing in Force? Just a few lines. I guess Cubelli, Miotti, Montoya and Medrano are in Perth. Miotti fan here. Thanks a lot in advance.
Dean
Roar Rookie
A true nations bubble question. Can Canberra look outside of their own entitled mini bubble of selfishness to guarantee a title?
Dean
Roar Rookie
Great game and a massive contest. Despite the “Damon’s” performance, I enjoyed the match, even though my beloved REDS lost. Our (Australia) footy has stepped up.
Canberrafella
Roar Rookie
AAP reporter Caden Helmers says the Force will arrive in Canberra on Sunday to ‘escape Perth’s lockdown’!
Leroy14
Roar Rookie
If the force play like they did last night against the Reds vs the Brumbies, they’ll be a chance.
West Aussie Exile
Roar Rookie
Great effort by the Force. Like others, watching highlights again to soak up the atmosphere. Wish I could be in Perth, rather than England, so could be there, at least a Force shirt being worn in Derbyshire! I posted last week to say how poor Olowofela was and he should be dropped -what do I know? I think the Force are a chance if they can blunt Brumbies forwards in first 20 mins. Will be interesting to see if Kearney playing?
Paul D
Roar Rookie
Apparently on their way to Sydney to then get clearance to return to QLD
Brett McKay
Expert
I was speaking with the Reds and they put out a statement today. The plan may well have been to get out, but they didn't evidently..