Nic White summed it up.
It was a step forward but “you’ve got to feel like that’s just another one that we’ve let slip through our fingers”.
It was indeed, as the Force went down 7-6 in a tale of missed chances.
In total, there were 38 turnovers. The Highlanders made 18, the Force 20.
Those two turnovers were likely the difference.
They were inexcusable given the match was played under the roof in perfect positions for both sides.
Then again, it wasn’t surprising given both teams are slumped towards the bottom of the Super Rugby standings.
The Force had the lion’s share of territory, forcing the Highlanders into 146 tackles compared to 101, and beat 23 defenders to seven, but they simply couldn’t convert their many opportunities into points.
“We knew it was going to be a tough one here,” White said.
“Just kind of last-pass stuff. We created opportunities and just weren’t able to capitalise. A few too many errors.
“A big growth for us. We came over and competed well. I’m proud of the fight. It is a step forward for us.”
Nic White was one of the Force’s best backs but it was a frustrating night for the visitors against the Highlanders under the roof at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin on April 27, 2024. (Photo by Joe Allison/Getty Images)
A step forward it may have been, but the one-point defeat means the Force are now last on the competition standings and five points out of the top eight.
There were positives.
The Force’s pack finally showed something.
The front-row of Marley Pearce, Tom Horton and Santiago Medrano managed to shave the Highlanders, whose All Blacks loose-head prop Ethan de Groot played 69 minutes, while second-rowers Sam Carter and Izack Rodda were both outstanding too. Carter was forced off with a head knock after 54 minutes but Jeremy Williams added to the side when he came on.
Carlo Tizzano was busy on both sides of the ball, too.
Marley Pearce and the Force’s forward pack had an improved showing against the Highlanders. (Photo by Joe Allison/Getty Images)
While the Force’s backline created plenty of chances, particularly in the opening 20 minutes, they lacked the necessary patience to turn pressure into points.
“I thought our pack was outstanding. They really set a platform for us. It was a huge step for us,” White said.
“A couple of last-pass stuff, some options that we need to look at [hurt].
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“But in terms of creating opportunities, we certainly did that. The forwards did a great job in giving us a platform to be able to do that.
“Bloody disappointing, I felt like we played really well. It’s a tough one, but we’ll learn from it.”
The Highlanders dominated territory early on, but the Force managed to scramble well.
The first points of the evening came via the boot of Ben Donaldson in the 37th minute.
The Highlanders eventually got on the scoreboard through livewire halfback Folau Fakatawa, who found some space and scored in tight.
Sensing points hard to come by, the Force decided to chip away the scoreboard by having another shot at goals.
It didn’t come immediately as Donaldson hooked his shot, but the fly-half made up for the blunder moments later to reduce the deficit to a point.
The Force had several opportunities over the next 20 minutes, but a couple of spilt balls, including from Reed Prinsep, hurt their chances of finally breaking their drought on the road.
The task ahead doesn’t get any easier, with the Force to stay in New Zealand ahead of their clash against the Chiefs in Waikato.
Robbo
Roar Rookie
How I'd love to see Max Burey back at flyhalf. Whilst Donaldson sometimes looks good; too many mistakes and sooo much aimless kicking.
Cec
Roar Rookie
:laughing:
Cec
Roar Rookie
6? Really freaking hell where are they and what are they kicking at right now in SRP and at test level? Have they won any test matches or test series off their boot? TWAS we need to respect the importance of those 2-3pts more at test level is my perspective. We haven’t been lighting up the scoreboard in recent years so take the pts.
piru
Roar Rookie
Loosies didn't adapt to the Highlanders tacklers lying in the path of the arriving players. Ref was letting it go, we either needed to start doing the same, making it obvious they were an issue (I'm amazed Nic White didn't dramatically fall over one of them at some point) or adjusting in another way. Rodda also seemed largely anonymous.
ScottD
Roar Guru
Watched the game. So frustratingly inconsistent. The Force tight 5 performed well particularly in the scrums after an anxious first 10 mins. The Highlanders lineout disruption was excellent and really discomforted the Force throw ins to the point where they lost the ability to use lineouts as a weapon. The Highlanders obviously watched the Crusaders game and made sure they didn’t leave any space on the outside. Force just couldn’t convert ball into points. The (marginally) best team on the day won. Not too many highlights ????
The Late News
Roar Rookie
Select Roger Gould. Gees he could kick!
piru
Roar Rookie
Knowing this team we’ll pull out a brilliant performance next week. And still lose by 3
piru
Roar Rookie
I don't know mate, maybe the scarfies had caused a mist of alcohol to permeate the building. Can't have smelt good having a few thousand drunk students and 30 sweaty rugby players all closed up in one big room like that
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
No it isn’t. There’s 6 other backs that can be options. Why is does it become the role of 10 due to the lack of goal kicking in other positions? It may be the reason we make a 50/50 call on 2 options there but it doesn’t make it the core role of the position.
Cec
Roar Rookie
see below, we don’t seem to have many test level options.
Cec
Roar Rookie
Test level OSR? Pls let Harrison just finish a SRP season without WB distraction. At least 1-2 seasons to prove that leg may be good to go at test footy. He’s not even starting. Edmed, sad to say is in that choker category. If Harrison can prove durability as a starter then I’d favour him & NL for test footy as we need that scoreboard ticking over.
Cec
Roar Rookie
For modern 10s well actually it is. And for Bernie they had a guy named Bourke and a few others at test level (Latham, Walker, Flatley, Mortlock etc) covering which didn’t alter selections in other positions. If you put either of Donno or Carter in at 10 with 69% for points and iffy touch finders then what does that do with choices at 9, 11, 12, 13, 14 or 15 now? Do we have someone to make the kicks in general play, plus touch and for points? No I don’t think we do. (Marika, Tate, Marky, Kellaway, Hunter, Foketi, Lonergan, Wright, Jorgo, Jordon, Lynagh, Campbell, White, Stewart…stop me when it gets to a test level kicker. No one say Harrison FFS let the poor kid actually finish a SRP season as he’s just on one leg! It’s pretty thin isn’t TWAS?
GusTee
Roar Pro
The Force sit solidly at the bottom of the ladder. The commentators made mention (several times) about the Force having the highest stat in the SRP competition for kicking away possession. IMHO these 2 situations are inextricably connected.
Rugbytrylover
Roar Rookie
Back rower has no idea.
CUW
Roar Rookie
could be for few teams - HIghlanders Moana Waratahs - nothing SUPER about these teams. :silly:
CUW
Roar Rookie
looked like there wasa dropping contest among teams - Fiji v Moana has crazy imagining the score if they could hold the ball. its as if they been watching IPL and want to put on centuries every match - throwing the ball around willy nilly. sorry - nothing super about the quality of these matches - the skills seen ten years ago are almost missingnow .
CUW
Roar Rookie
did u just say something about HIghlanders ? :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :silly: :silly: :silly: :silly: :silly: :silly: :silly:
CUW
Roar Rookie
even commentary was wondering - under a closed roof !!! maybe it sweats more when roof is closed ???
Old school rugby
Roar Rookie
2024 goal kicking best % in order: Harrison Lolesio Edmed Gordon Lynagh Donaldson
andrewM
Roar Rookie
next week is going to hurt if we drop the ball at this rate