As the Crusaders’ season went from bad to worse, Kurtley Beale and Izack Rodda made bright returns to Super Rugby to help the Force keep their Super Rugby finals hopes alive by securing a massive 37-15 win in Perth.
The Wallabies duo lined up for their first action of the year in Super Rugby and instantly made a difference to a side decimated by injuries.
Beale, 35, was playing his first Super Rugby match in 1,497 days and didn’t miss a beat, while Rodda, who has been plagued by foot and leg injuries over the past two years, made an important lineout steal midway through the second half and was a calming influence after entering the dray early in the match for a concussed Tom Franklin.
Rodda’s clutch lineout steal came just in the nick of time, with the Crusaders closing the margin to 25-15 after flying winger Sevu Reece, who became the Crusaders’ greatest tryscorer by scoring his 53rd try for the franchise, cut the margin to a converted try midway through the second half.
But a Ben Donaldson penalty, and tries to forwards Sam Carter and Carlo Tizzano, saw the Force seal a memorable and important win for Simon Cron’s men that leaves them just four points outside the top eight ahead of a vital trip to Dunedin to take on the Highlanders.
The win was the Force’s first over the Crusaders since 2013.
Making it all the more impressive was the side’s tenacity in defence, where they made 206 tackles.
Their ability to come away with points also reflected a new-found ability to put pressure on their opposition.
“Huge hats off to the staff and coaches, staying true to how we want to play and what we believe in,” acting captain Nic White said.
“We’ve had a tough little trot, but no panic stations. We believe in what we’re building and it’s nice to get a little bit of a reward.
“We’re not getting ahead of ourselves, it’s just one game, but we’ve stayed the course and it’s good to see a few things coming off.”
Ben Donaldson takes the ball to the line against the Crusaders at HBF Park on April 20, 2024, in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Janelle St Pierre/Getty Images)
Crusaders coach Rob Penney’s blood would have boiled once more as nothing went right for the seven-time defending champions.
The Crusaders’ lineout was once again poor, their scrum, which includes All Blacks Joe Moody, Owen Franks and Fletcher Newell, was surprisingly bad and the clunkiness in their attack that has crippled their season to date continued.
It means midway through the season the Crusaders, for so long the envy of the world, are just one win from their opening eight matches and sit dead last after the Force leapfrogged ahead of them.
“That one hurts,” captain Tom Christie said.
“We made a lot of errors and errors let any team into a game. We know we can attack and have gamebreakers [to win], but from there we need to make sure we don’t let them off so easily.”
Asked whether finals remained a priority for the Crusaders this year, Christie said they wouldn’t look beyond their next match against the Rebels.
“To be honest, I’m not interested in the ladder,” he said. “If we start winning games, we’ll put ourselves in a position.
“Yes, it’s unique, and yes no team’s probably done it from here, but I’ve still got full faith and trust in our team that we get it right we’re a dangerous team.”
The Crusaders’ all-time highest tryscorer Sevu Reece reacts after losing against the Force at HBF Park on April 20, 2024 in Perth. (Photo by Janelle St Pierre/Getty Images)
Once again the Crusaders were quick out of the blocks as Levi Aumua scored after just three minutes, but their early inroads stopped quickly from that point on.
The Force steadily went about their business and managed to put some scoreboard pressure on their fancied rivals.
Ben Donaldson quickly responded banging over the first of four penalties for the evening.
Two lovely passages of play from the home side, including some silky hands from Beale, led to Chase Tiatia getting on the end of a passage to score in the 17th minute to give the Force a narrow lead.
Donaldson’s second penalty then gave the Force an 11-5 lead after 24 minutes.
The Force looked like they would concede when Reuben Keane quickly went to the pocket to send Carlo Tizanno to the sin bin for coming in from the side to deny the Crusaders possession from an attacking position.
But the wasteful Crusaders failed to capitalise on the numerical advantage.
Eventually, the Force managed to get back up the other end and hooker Tom Horton got on the end of a well formed rolling maul to score on the stroke of half-time.
While the Crusaders hit back with tries to George Bell and Reece in the third quarter of the match, the Force rallied and managed to hold firm as Carter and Tizzano scored late in the piece to seal the win.
The beauty about their win too was the healthy and positive contributions from the vast majority of the team.
Horton responded from Cron signing another hooker by delivering his best performance of the year, Carter was strong on both sides of the ball, Donaldson did the little things well and the Force’s backline, including the hard-nosed Hamish Stewart and Bayley Kuenzle, were excellent.
Beale, who has made no secret of his desire to get back into the Wallabies set up, looked like he had played alongside his new teammates for years as he combined beautifully with Test fly-half Donaldson.
“I’m going to give a lot of credit to that to KB [Beale],” said White, having been asked about Donaldson’s mature and measured performance.
“The voice KB brought as soon as he came on. It would have been easy to come in and stay quiet, he’s new to this system, but he stepped straight in to being a real leader and a guy who’s benefited from that voice is Donno.”
Khun Phil
Roar Rookie
You are right,AA.I was really impressed with his thank you speech in the dressing room after the game.You could tell he was greatful for the chance they have given him.I also hope he keeps playing like that.I am also just happy that another Australian side are looking like a good rugby team.The way the Brumbies got smashed,it might just be the Force and the Rebels flying the flag.Reds also,though I am worried about their increasing injury toll.
MD
Roar Rookie
Wallabies team 1. Angus bell, Slipper 2. Faesler aka the fuzz aka fuzzy muff / Nasser 3. AAA/Tupou for a half until he blows his load 4. Skelton/Arnold 5. Rodda/Swain 6. Valentini/Liam “pat rafter” Wright 7. Fraser/? 8. Cale/ Wilson 9. Taint / Lonnergan 10. Carter / harrison 11. Koroibete / Toole 12. Kerevi / Pastrami / Joseph suali 13. Flooked / Pastrami /Suali 14. Jordan Potato / ? 15. Beale / Joseph Suaali
Sheikh
Roar Rookie
Well, technically Saracens, but there were reasons for that! :silly:
kingplaymaker
Roar Guru
The question is what RA do with league players who actually come out and say they want to move over, as Joey Manu must have done. In the past it seems as if RA would chase them and make an offer (with the rare exception of Folau who seemed unusually keen to play rugby to his credit). If for example Walsh appeared and said he wanted to sign, they could refuse to top him up, but then a few months later they would have to when he was called up by the Wallabies. Folau and Tuqiri were the top level of international wing, though of course no one ever competed with with Lomu (who can run the 100m in 10.7 weighing 120 kilos with an incredible step). Probably Waugh is going a little far in giving a no league player front. Folau and Tuqiri were significant successes. The worst outcome of all is if they end up with some ageing player like RTS who's simply too old to convert, but he ends up being called up to the Wallabies on past reputation and RA have to top him up. At least Suaalii's 21 on arrival, and Walsh would be 23.
AgainAgain
Roar Rookie
He could work out and as you say age in his favour, but I think the risk that he flips back along with the fact that RA has no money to invest in risky projects and Phil Waugh has said they won’t be investing further in league players especially ones on his coin… it will never be more than hypothetical. And you are right he would get a run in the NPC but on not much money. As for Tuqiri or Folau, the RA had money then and both really nothing more than power wingers, albeit good ones, but not on the same level as a Lomu, but then who is. I agree about players transitioning as some kind of retirement is a complete waste except as an interest to fans of the code they are transitioning from.
kingplaymaker
Roar Guru
Yes he would be an unknown and smaller than many who've come across. As there's no NRC in Australia, he could try out in the actual NRC. I'm sure a player of his calibre would be accepted in one of the teams. The good thing about him is age. Someone 18-23 would offer a major return on investment as Folau and Tuqiri did, and they adapt much better then. 23 years old is a good upper limit and there are always good players under that age, so there's no point in going over it. Instead we read all the time of geriatric players swanning in from league at the end of their careers with the usual disastrous results.
AgainAgain
Roar Rookie
Hard to know. As a fullback, don't know what his kicking and defence is like. As a wing not sure what he is like competing for the high ball in the air. He is suited to fullback in League as these things are not as important in his position. Not sure with what he can do in League and the fact he is a star player he would necessatily feel the risk reward is there. Wish there was an avenue that he could test himself out in rugby during the league off season in an NRC type setup and vice versa. Although I am not sure league and union would support players trialing out at the other code. They both seem to like to compete rather than find win win solutions for players, which is understandable.
piru
Roar Rookie
Chiefs couldn't though
Bentnuc
Roar Pro
Yeh Beale had real spring off the pitch. FB has always been his best position too
Bentnuc
Roar Pro
Great point. even if a counter ruck doesn't win a turnover it generally slows the ball - so win / win reslly
Bentnuc
Roar Pro
It's crazy isn't it. I have never seen the premiers of one year fall so quick the next. If they get the wooden spoon it must be the first time in professional sport that has happened???
kingplaymaker
Roar Guru
'Agree, father time gets to us all ????' I'd be happy to be an 'older player' now. Reece Walsh is the right age to switch to rugby: 21 and his contract's up at 23. He's played SOO so has done what there is to do in league. If he moved over he could play full-back or wing and would be able to repay 70 caps or more. Might be a little small for rugby though.
kingplaymaker
Roar Guru
Yes that sounds right. A creative player anywhere in a backline can completely change the shape of the attack and players suddenly find they're getting into much bigger gaps with much more backline speed. That indeed then unleashes waves of confidence where before there was uncertainty. Players like this tend to be 10, 12, 15 but actually a truly creative 9 might have a similar effect on providing creative opportunities for the forwards.
AgainAgain
Roar Rookie
Agree, father time gets to us all :happy: To be honest I am just pleased that Kurtley is finding some happiness and joy and hopefully some peace after all he has been through. I hope this move to WA is the clean break he needs after all the recent turmoil. Not sure what Reece Walsh has to do with anything, he is not switching is he?
kingplaymaker
Roar Guru
Father time may stand I think the way. Perhaps Reece Walsh although he can't be selected.
AgainAgain
Roar Rookie
They have alwys used that term Johan, which has never made sense to me as the only thing they ever look at is whether there is any separation. I think the fact there is no separation, means there is some downward pressure as the ball hits the deck and part of the body is touching it.
AgainAgain
Roar Rookie
I think more than just pschological. He has always been a creative player especially with ball in hand, so has a bit to offer in that department, especially with players like Donno and co. who don't quite have that self-confidence or belief to have a crack when the opportunity presents itself. KB has never been afraid to have a crack and create something. If he can help otehr players in that aspect of their game, that is a big plus. I think it is more important than waht he merely provides as a player on the field.
AgainAgain
Roar Rookie
I think he is playing for the team. They have given him a chance and he has always been the sort of player that tries to repay the faith put in him by his coach and team mates. I am unsure how much more he has got in the tank, but he provides some glue and support which is what the Force need. He doesn't need to be the best player. His experience and ability to create and share his knowledge makes him an asset. I hope he can maintain it and the Force can become a little more consistent as a result.
AgainAgain
Roar Rookie
I think he has too. He never overplayed his hand and regardless of what people's opinion is of him, he has always been regarded as a good team man, which is where I think he adds real value to the Force team. Was also nice to see him out on the park after the game with is family. I think this could be really good for him, to regain his self-confidence and self-belief both on and off the park, without the constant hounding and bringing up his past.
WEST
Roar Guru
Ten years to beat the crusaders, and the Force give them a hiding! Remarkable the free fall the crusaders are in, almost fascinating to watch :shocked: