In a welcome relief from losing a string of tight games, the Western Force tonight outlasted the Highlanders.
The Match
The match was hardly a shining example of pulsating, high quality rugby, but that’s not unexpected from two teams at the foot of the table. It was, nonetheless, a gripping struggle and one that was literally in doubt until the last few seconds of the match.
The Force came out of the gate fairly hard and dominated the early going, both in terms of territory and possession. I haven’t seen the official stats, but it seemed like the Highlanders hardly got their hands on the pill for the first ten or fifteen minutes of the game. The home side didn’t really cash in though and although they were running through the phases, it was a lot of one out stuff. As often happens in these situations, the ball became more static as the phase count increased and they ended up turning the ball over.
There was plenty of work with the slipper by both sides and a lot of forcing back and playing for field position. Much of the play was in the Highlanders half of the paddock but there wasn’t enough pressure on their kick return by the Force to turn the ball over or win penalties.
That all changed in the 17th minute when the home team unexpectedly decided to chance their arms a bit and threw the ball around. It started with some good hands on display down sideline on the City side of the ground. In the ensuing phases the ball was spread wide again and Sias Ebersohn went over in the corner. It was good footy and you have to scratch your head and wonder sometimes why the Force don’t try this kind of thing more often. It was successful and the team looked good doing it, so more of that thanks.
From that point onwards there was an awful lot of ball being kicked from one end of the ground to the other, though Ben Smith decided to have a dart on a few occasions and asked some fairly difficult questions of the defence. The Highlanders won themselves a couple of penalties to get themselves within striking distance at half time, though the Force would have had the bulk of ball and field position.
The second half was a real arm wrestle. The Highlanders little by little won themselves more ball and started to exert some pressure on the Force defence. From my vantage point it seemed that the Force were in a constant struggle to get out of their half and were having to defend a lot more than the first half. The Highlanders back row and midfield started to get a bit of go forward in the middle of the park and offload in the tackle.
There were a couple of promising attacking raids that a team playing with a bit more confidence might have pulled off. As it was, penalties at the breakdown and a bit of dropped pill really cost the visitors. There was an incident that probably summed it up best when a penalty hit the post and Ma’a Nonu had a chance to score and couldn’t. Then poor old Colin Slade coughed the ball up when his team were hard on attack.
And that was the ball game in the end. Not the most edifying spectacle ever witnessed at NIB stadium, but in doubt to the last play. The Force were probably a little fortunate in the end, but I reckon they’ll take it given all the close ones they’ve lost this year.
Thanks to Greg Seaton for the photos
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The Game Changer
Nonu’s inability to score in the 69th minute of the game, when the Highlanders were starting to get on top a bit. He’ll be kicking himself for not passing it and instead going it alone.
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The G&GR MotM
I would have given it to Ben Smith of the Highlanders. He was a constant menace on attack and very secure on the kick return. The bloke is all class and surely must play for the All Blacks this year.
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Wallaby watch
You guessed it, our man Godwin again. He neutralised the threat from Nonu and did a few good things of his own in attack. Gains in stature every week.
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The Details
Force: 19 (Ebersohn try; Hayward conv; Hayward 4 pens) defeated Highlanders: 18 (Park 2 , Slade 4 pens)
Yellow cards: Alby Mathewson
Refereee: Andrew Lees
