The Western Force’s year has gone from bad to worse after slumping to a demoralising 22-14 loss to Moana Pasifika on Friday night in Perth.
The defeat was their fourth straight to start the season, as Simon Cron’s hopes of turning the Force into genuine finals contenders took a massive hit.
On a night of frustration, Cron’s side spurned chances, gave away penalties at will and were made to pay.
“Obviously, our discipline is a big issue,” first-year skipper Jeremy Williams said.
“It’s hard to win games when you just piggyback teams down field. We got desperate and started throwing those 50-50 offloads and kept turning the ball over.”
Asked how to fix it, Williams said the Force needed to address their issues around the breakdown.
“We’ve just got to be really clean and accurate around the breakdown,” he said.
“We got a couple there, but that stuff really hurts us and, if we’re getting penalised a lot, we’ve got to leave that breakdown alone and get momentum back. It hurts.”
Kyren Taumoefolau of Moana Pasifika runs in for a try against the Western Force at HBF Park, on March 15, 2024, in Perth. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)
The tone of the evening’s series of blunders was on display early in the ninth minute, as Will Harris failed to deliver the simple final pass to send his teammate Issak Fines-Leleiwasa into score.
Instead, the Test halfback spilt the pass and the opportunity, which was superbly set up by another Ben Donaldson linebreak, was blown. Adding salt to the wound, Harris likely would have scored had he pinned the ears back.
It didn’t get much better throughout the rest of the evening.
While the Force were wasteful, Moana Pasifika took their chances.
It started when hooker Sama Malolo crossed in the 17th minute.
The Force managed to get one back three minutes later when Chase Tiatia’s chip-kick sat up beautifully and Bayley Kuenzle scored. Donaldson added the extras to give the home side a slender two-point lead.
But a yellow card to Carlo Tizzano for a clash of heads with Moana’s fullback Danny Toala saw the flanker sent to the sin bin in the crucial 10 minutes leading up to half time.
It didn’t take look for the visitors to strike, as former Wallaby Sekope Kepu scored from a lovely tap play that fooled the home side.
A lovely turn of pace from Kyren Taumoefolau early in the second half then saw Moana Pasifika take the margin out to 12 points.
Two missed penalty strikes from Donaldson didn’t help, including when down 19-7 in the 52nd minute.
The decision was another head scratcher, but it was likely influenced by the Force’s misfiring lineout in the attacking zone. Izack Rodda’s return can’t come soon enough.
Tizzano’s try reduced the deficit to five points, but a long-range penalty from William Havili, who replaced Julian Savea early in the match, in the 72nd minute gave the visitors some breathing space. They never looked back.
The Force had a couple of late chances to give themselves a chance, but the home side was unable to break Moana Pasifika through the middle and instead resorted to going side to side. It backfired.
The defeat leaves the Force in danger of having their year spiral out of control, with a must-win match against the Reds to come before going on the road to Fiji and then New Zealand to take on the Blues in Auckland.
In contrast, Moana Pasifika claimed their second win of the season, as last year’s cellar dwellers recorded another important victory before taking on the Brumbies next Friday.
GusTee
Roar Pro
RahRahRe - I wonder if the Reds are saying that too after the drubbing they took last night at the hands of those "embarrassments" from the West. Have a great day, mate!
West Aussie Exile
Roar Rookie
Disappointing. Re; Cron - I remain undecided. I think he can be a good coach and has had some bad luck with injuries - however, I think reappointing him just before the first game sent out the wrong message to him and the players. I do think he needs more time and continuity important but, whether conscious or not, the payers and coach don't have the pressure to perform they would have had if the coaching decision was made mid-season. I'm not writing off the season yet but recruitment for next year must be a priority, especially in front row and back row
TJ-Go Force!
Roar Rookie
Cheik has been widely linked with the role
Phil
Roar Rookie
Deleted
Rugbytrylover
Roar Rookie
TJ. Disagree with everything you said. No game plan? The attack shown against the Brumbies and Rebels was fantastic. Giving away penalties is the players fault not the coaches. That obviously has to be addressed. Along with closing out games that you are leading. Potter is a gun and very talented. Burey has been playing well at fullback and Donaldson well at 10 which is his position. Burey not next level 10 hence Donaldson got the gig. Have some faith. They have had a stack of injuries. There are always great critics on these forums. And Cheik to return to the Tahs? Surely not. I’d say Steven Hoiles in the not too distant future. If he wants it.
TJ-Go Force!
Roar Rookie
Cron is woefully under qualified and over hyped. He’s got no idea how to pick players in position, no game plan. I feel he’s had plenty of time and signed a lot of players – many are not clicking. Burey isn’t a fullback, Donno is not up to it at 10. Potter doing too much trying to be seen for wallabies instead of focussing on winning games. Agree with you DC is on borrowed time. Cheik to return in 2025.
TJ-Go Force!
Roar Rookie
Starting because McCauley I think is also injured.
Mike88
Roar Rookie
Woolfe - genuine question, do you think that keeping Cron on instead of looking for a perhaps more experienced/proven coach is the right thing to do? I'm not talking about this game in isolation and yes theres been good play but you have a bloody good squad and should have good play. As a fan would you prefer to have a more experienced coach capable of taking players to their next level.
Jibba Jabba
Roar Guru
Hahaha ????
Mike88
Roar Rookie
Charlie I commented elsewhere but why did they spend money on White that couldve/should've gone on their pack. If the cupboard is that bare.
Mike88
Roar Rookie
I'm not on a tipping chart. I have no idea what the hell you are talking about as usual. But good luck, it seems to mean a lot to you.
Jibba Jabba
Roar Guru
Correct, very poor recruitment by a cashed up franchise, including the coaching panel.. Twiggy must be pulling his hair out..
Mike88
Roar Rookie
Banging on about the coach? You're some detective it was indeed a comment about coaching - getting a better one in WA or at least getting the Wallaby assistants moving around helping SR sides particularly Rebels and Force. The Force haven't had 17 years of injuries. The closest they've had to a proven coach was John Mitchell. Would be great to get someone with more experience. The Force are responsible for their depth. I said its a shame there's guys who can't crack the Reds squad as an eg when you have some of the squad playing in the Force who are sub par. If the cupboard is that bare in WA tight 5 why the hell did they spend on an aged 9 to cover a lad who was in the Wallabies RWC squad. ISL does not need White in Perth. Plenty of fwds benching or outside SR squads who they should've looked at. I don't care about Larkham I'm not defending comments I never made.
Mike88
Roar Rookie
Piru I was pretty clear but I'll say it again. I'm in favour of keeping all the teams. It's not my arguement to go back to 3. There's plenty of it on here though and they booted you once before. I'm pro Force. My arguement is 1. you need a better coach/coaching staff. 2. If we have assistants employed to the Wallabies who are proven world class why not let them help SR sides. Fisher would only improve the Force. Good for you. Good for Australian rugby. Cron is not going to. It's hardly controversial to say you guys are pretty rubbish and need help. It's facts.
Danny McGowan
Roar Rookie
Understand that TJ, and not knocking anyone or the team, just he a forced signing who seems to be starting. Obviouly a problem wirh depth.
piru
Roar Rookie
That's all right, those teams are allowed to be rubbish, but for us and the Rebels (and even the Brumbies) having a bad run means "the experiment has failed" or "we don't justify our involvement". Rugby belongs to NSW of course, and everyone else is only allowed to play as long as it suits them.
piru
Roar Rookie
Yep those are all things that happened. I didn't ask you for a team history lesson, I asked you why we have to justify our involvement. Why do we have to prove to you that we should be allowed to play rugby? You don't own it mate
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
You’re talking about how they have certain players. I’m pointing out it’s rarely the best players that differ team to team. It’s the depth players around them.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Maybe you’re not following rugby close enough yo look at things like that. Sure Mike, I did look at the tipping chart to see where you were with your great knowlege and found that you are at least 287 places below me. I didnt see your name at all in the top 290 and Im 3rd. Great show of your rugby knowlege there Mike.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Richist franchise in Aus and you question their right to be in the comp? Why dont you question the 3 clubs of Brumbies, Tahs and Rebels entitlement to millions of RA $$ that the Force dont receive? Their combined debt levels are believed to be 35mil. Force owe no one.