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After-the-siren penalty lifts Force to win over Moana
By AAP
Thirteen-man Western Force have scored a penalty after the final siren to secure a remarkable 21-18 win over Moana Pasifika at HBF Park.
Scores were level at 18-18 in Saturday night's match when the Force had Ollie Callan red-carded in the 73rd minute and Siosifa Amone also then sent off with a yellow three minutes later.
But instead of wilting under the numerical disadvantage, the Force pulled off a series of clutch plays at the death to secure the win in front of 6497 fans.
Scrumhalf Issak Fines won a crucial penalty at the breakdown to give the Force good field position, and although Bryce Hegarty's 45-metre penalty attempt in the 79th minute missed, the home side kept pushing.
A smother from Tim Anstee put Moana under the pump and forced a knock-on error, and the Force won a scrum penalty after the final siren.
Hegarty nailed the penalty from eight metres away straight in front to secure the win.
The result was in stark contrast to last week, when the Force were pumped 71-20 by the Queensland Reds.
The Force leaked 10 tries against the Reds, and it took Moana just 28 seconds to touch down on Saturday night in an ominous sign.
The dazzling play started with a dribble from Moana's defensive 22 and was followed by a series of sharp passes to allow Fine Inisi to score.
The scoreboard read 15-6 in the 25th minute when Moana hooker Samiuela Moli touched down from a rolling maul.
A quick tap from stand-in Force captain Jeremy Thrush in the 35th minute proved to be a genius move.
Moana prop Sueten Asomua was in an offside position, but he laid the tackle anyway fearing Thrush would crash over.
The cynical foul earned Asomua a yellow card, and Force hooker Folau Fainga'a scored on the very next play from a rolling maul.
Moana lock Mike McKee was given a 20-minute red card in the 46th minute for his no-arms tackle that resulted in a head clash with Folau Fainga'a.
Scores were level in the 61st minute when the Force swung it wide after a rolling maul and George Poolman touched down in the corner.
Hegarty missed the sideline conversion atte mpt, and the Force were down to 14 men when Callan was yellow carded in the 73rd minute for a no-arms tackle that resulted in his shoulder colliding with his opponent's head.
That card was later upgraded to red, and Amone joined him on the sidelines a few minutes later for a high hit.
But with their backs against the wall, the Force found a way to win the match.
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Latest Comments
It certainly needs to be cherished. Despite Nick (and you) highlighting their usefulness for teams like Australia (and obviously those in France they find form with) I (mention it general in those articles) say that I fear the game is just not setup in Aus and NZ to appreciate nor maximise their strengths. The French game should continue to be the destination of the biggest and most gifted athletes but it might improve elsewhere too.
I just have an idea it needs a whole team focus to make work. I also have an idea what the opposite applies with players in general. I feel like French backs and halves can be very small and quick, were as here everyone is made to fit in a model physique. Louis was some 10 and 20 kg smaller that his opposition and we just do not have that time of player in our game anymore. I'm dying out for a fast wing to appear on the All Blacks radar.
But I, and my thoughts on body size in particular, could be part of the same indoctrination that goes on with player physiques by the establishment in my parts (country).
Go to commentsHis best years were 2018 and he wasn't good enough to win the World Cup in 2023! (Although he was voted as the best player in the world in 2023)
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