The Western Force gave a clinic on how to lose in a tight finish before finding the late Bayley Kuenzle penalty goal that has kept their play-off hopes alive.
The 20-18 victory over the dangerous Fijian Drua was that important to the Force if they are to press for the tantalising eighth play-off spot or better in Super Rugby Pacific.
Only in the closing minutes did the Force do what they needed to do for far more of the game...treasure possession, cut out the fancy stuff and wait for a flinch from the Fijians.
So what did we learn from this Saturday afternoon at Sydney’s Leichhardt Oval?
1 COOL AFTER JITTERS
The Force looked intent on throwing away this game.
Deciding to take a penalty goal attempt from 42m out at the 68-minute mark and then overturning the call to kick for touch just made no sense.
The kick was in range but just as importantly Kuenzle had shown no ability to bite off big metres on the touchline to create an attacking lineout.
Sure enough, his modest kick to touch gave the Force a lineout 25m out, not 10m out. Dumb stuff.
The Force played poorly from 18-17 behind when that kick might have given them comfort at 20-18.
Kuenzle and fullback Jake Strachan knocked on. Replacement halfback Issak Fines-Leleiwasa twice kicked out on the full and winger Byron Ralson did it once.
Fines-Leleiwasa also passed the ball into touch. That’s six turnovers of possession in six minutes from the 69th minute.
It’s a good thing lock Izack Rodda stole a lineout to get some ball back.
The rhythm of the late pick-and-go drive was clinical and finally earned a penalty to decide the match. Phew. Close call.
2 FIJIAN IMPROVEMENT
The Drua have got better and better. There’s a structure to their game that allows their ad-lib magic to really pay off.
They are tackling and scrambling in defence and some of their big players are really shining now they can enjoy some dry conditions.
Centres Kalaveti Ravouvou and Apisalome Vota were terrific. Try-scoring winger Vinaya Habosi must already have a cult following from Suva to Sigatoka.
Prop Samuela Tawake is catching the eye and flanker Joseva Tamani seems to be able to slip an offload regardless of how many defenders are on him.
Backhanded offloads, supports either side of the ball-carrier...it’s great to watch when it clicks.
Well coached Mick Byrne because the discipline has improved too.
Rugby hands out so many penalties for trivial matters yet opponents deliberately preventing the Fijians taking quick taps is another handbrake on the speed of the game.
The Drua have added fun and flair to what is still an “Australian” rugby competition at this stage of the season. Ideally, it gives them some strong preparation for the tougher Kiwi sides to come.
3 DID YOU SEE THE NUMBER PLATE?
Full credit to Force flyhalf Jake McIntyre for committing to the tackle out wide on hooker Mesu Dolokoto.
He got completely steamrolled by 112kg of Fijian forward and was later replaced.
4 FORCE STUTTERING
After a highly encouraging start to 2022, the Force have got a bit ragged and the attack is spluttering. Missing 24 tackles against a Fijian side was also a worry.
The Force did hang in strongly and scored a try when down to 14 men for 10 minutes so that was a plus for their resilience.
Finding something special when the Brumbies visit Perth on Friday night can get the Force back on the rails.
5 FIJIAN FANS WHEREVER THEY GO
The first Drua game in Suva against the Highlanders on April 30 is going to be nuts. Put the full house sign up now.
Until then, it’s great to see so many Fijian communities turning out in force to see their team play whether it is in Sydney, Canberra, Queensland’s Sunshine Coast or Brisbane.
