The Force smashed the Waratahs in Round One and then promptly lost their next ten games. Would Round One repeat at home or would it just be more of the same?
For both teams this was a key game: The Force had to break their ten game losing streak soon, they had been building momentum for weeks. The Waratahs were building to overtake the Brumbies at the top of the Australian conference.
The Match
The Force have broken through. It wasn’t pretty but they won.
Force 18 – Waratahs 11
First Half
The first ten minutes was all Waratahs and the second ten was all Force. Towards the end of that Horne made a charge down that luckily went to a Force hand and they kicked for field position, after a ruck turnover Lowrens ran a delightful line to score and the Force were 7-0 up after a rare conversion.
The Waratahs were next to score – a penalty from a ruck infringement by Coleman. There were lots of Waratah half-breaks and then a frustrated Kepu got yellow-carded for rucking a Force player. The Waratahs played the last seven minutes during which Burton kicked a penalty to make it 13-6. Just before half time Beale attempted a 53 metre penalty but missed.
There wasn’t much good football played. The Waratahs continued their season of knock-ons and ruck turnovers; they look a shadow of the team last year. The Force kicked away any ball in their half and their attack consisted of multiple one-out runners.
At half time Cheika gave his team a massive spray.
Second Half
Naiyaravoro made a great run down the right and the Force were finally warned over ruck illegalities after a penalty but Foley missed the kick. After Kepu returned from the bin and some back and forth the referee found a ruck penalty against Robinson but Burton missed the kick. More good Waratah attack and a kick to the 22 was ultimately unproductive. More attritional play followed until the best moment of the game. Naiyaravoro received the ball with a couple of metres space and proceeded to swat off three defenders like flies on his way to the tryline. Finally some real rugby. Foley missed the sideline conversion. Force 13-11.
Then followed several kicking duels as the Tahs tried to change their gameplan to negate the Force kicking. The Waratahs were warned about illegal maul defence after several penalty decisions went against them. Then a Force rolling maul from the resulting penalty and lineout saw Hodgson score a maul try (see comment on rolling mauls below). Burton missed the conversion but the Force were up 18-11.
The Waratahs attacked again but tight defence ensured it broke down. At 69 minutes Hodgson was yellow carded for repeated Force ruck infringements though it looked like McCalman probably deserved it more for interfering on the ground. The Waratahs went close from a collapsed maul and 5 metre scrum but then knocked on.Foley ran a missing penalty attempt from his goal line and ran through half the Force but then Folau knocked on. The last few minutes were wasted on collapsing scrums and finally Hoffman found a Waratah penalty to allow the Force to win.
The game was ugly to watch. The Waratahs made too many mistakes on attack and the Force played attritional rugby constantly on the edge of the law at the ruck. If Rugby is to win over converts the role of the referee in getting clean rucks is crucial and I think Hoffman had a poor game in allowing rucks to become a total dogfight.
Final score: Force 18 – Waratahs 11
Rolling Mauls:
The way rolling mauls are being officiated, they are becoming the first choice way to score and advancing the ball for an increasing number of teams. One of the referee protocols is to allow the maul to change direction and break off but continue despite the ball being behind several unopposed players. The defending team has almost no way of competing for the ball because it is hidden at the back of the new maul. The try scoring maul tonight was an excellent example. but they are becoming increasingly frequent. I don’t think its an advance for the game.
The Wrap Up
For the Force this was the breakthrough game that stopped their roll of losses.
For the Waratahs it was a disaster! They could now easily miss top of the Australian conference and even if they overtake the Brumbies they will struggle to get the vital second place that will keep them with a realistic chance of defending their title.
For both teams the goal kicking was atrocious.
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The Game Changer
There were two. Naiyaravoro’s great try changed the game momentum towards the Waratahs and you thought that from that moment the Force fate was sealed. But then the rolling maul try turned everything around and gave the Force the gap they needed to close it out.
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The G&GR MOTM
This was not a match where lots of players starred – attritional kick-fests never are. For the Waratahs Naiyaravoro looked their most dangerous player every time he touched the ball. Steve Mafi was excellent for the Force, but Ben McCalman had a great grafting game and he is my MotM.
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Wallaby Watch
Not a lot of outstanding Wallabies on show tonight and you could list probably a dozen players who did not improve their chances at making the squad. Even Folau looked jaded. McCalman and Hodgson looked good for the home team and did their chances no harm.
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The Details
Score & Scorers
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Force – 18
Tries: Ryan Lowrens, Matt Hodgson
Conversions: Luke Burton
Penalties: Luke Burton (2)
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Waratahs – 11
Try: Taqele Naiyaravoro
Penalties: Bernard Foley (2)
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Cards & Citings
Yellow cards:
Matt Hodgson
Sekope Kepu
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Crowd
tba
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