A ruthless first half delivered the Western Force a 52-15 win over the Fijian Drua in Perth.
It was one-sided traffic as the Force built an unassailable advantage to secure the crucial victory.
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So what did we learn?
The fierce Perth heat suited the Drua on paper, but it was the Force that capitalised early, deciding the game inside 30 minutes.
The hosts’ decision to rest a host of Wallabies paid off perfectly as they punished the Drua early with three quick tries to start the game.
They had ten line breaks in the first half and had five tries from seven visits into the Drua 22.
It’s important to start strong against any side but the Drua especially are a team that you need to start fast to take them and their passionate fans out of the game wherever you are.
It allowed the Force to control the game and close out one of the biggest wins in their history.
Nic Dolly’s performance against the Drua proves that the competition for a Wallabies berth has never been stronger.
Dolly was big in the first half for the Force, not only nailing every throw but crossing for a hat-trick, a feat even he couldn’t remember doing in a game before.
The work at the rolling maul seems easy but his poise to pick the right moments was excellent to strike.
When you start rattling off names, it’s easy to see why it’s a position that will cause Joe Schmidt plenty of headaches for selection time: Matt Faessler, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Dave Porecki, Billy Pollard, Lachlan Lonergan, Josh Nasser, Richie Asiata and Dolly.
The Drua’s chance of repeating their finals efforts are on life support after this big defeat.
They looked all at sea as they couldn’t execute any glimpse of an attacking play until the game was out of reach, reverting to hero plays instead of keeping to their shape.
Their lineout was dysfunctional, and they couldn’t capitalise on any break in the first half as the 33-0 deficit proved too much.
The bye could not have come at a better time for the side.
All the wizardry puns in the world can’t do the impact that Harry Potter has had on the Force justice.
He fits the mould perfectly for a Joe Schmidt winger, committing whole-heartedly on effort plays but also having the attributes to break open a game in an instant.
His try in the 28th minute showed this, breaking several defenders before sprinting away for one of the best individual tries in Super Rugby in 2025.
This was backed up in the second half with a lovely grubber and chase to add to his haul.
It adds to the ridiculous depth in Australian Rugby in the back three.
The big weekends for the Australian sides continue as they continue to show they're for real in 2025.
The Western Force’s big win over the Fijian Drua ensures all four sides sit in the top six at the end of the round.
Wins by the Queensland Reds and the NSW Waratahs have proven that the Australian teams are for real in 2025, as the Blues and Hurricanes struggle to start the year.
It’s another big week for the Aussie sides, with the Waratahs heading to Wellington to face the Hurricanes, whilst the Brumbies can continue to streak against Kiwi sides against the Highlanders.
