The Western Force Dampen NSW Waratahs’ Finals Hopes with Dominant 27-7 Victory
In a crucial Super Rugby Pacific clash at HBF Park, the Western Force have effectively ended the NSW Waratahs’ finals hopes with a commanding 27-7 victory. The injury-hit Waratahs briefly took the lead early on, but the resilient Force stormed back with 27 unanswered points to secure back-to-back wins for the first time this season.
The Waratahs, celebrating captain Jake Gordon’s 100-game milestone, struck first through fullback Mark Nawaqanitawase’s try in the 7th minute. However, the remainder of the first half belonged to the inspired Force, who piled on 20 unanswered points to take a commanding 20-7 lead at the break.
“Flyhalf Ben Donaldson was instrumental in the Force’s fightback, scoring a try and kicking a crucial penalty just before halftime to give his side all the momentum heading into the second half.”
The Waratahs’ prop shortage was further compounded when Lewis Ponini limped off in the 51st minute, adding to their mounting woes. Despite the Waratahs’ valiant efforts, the Force’s powerful scrum set up a 69th-minute try for Reed Prinsep, sealing the victory for the home side.
The result leaves the Waratahs nine points adrift of the eighth spot, requiring bonus-point wins in their remaining games against Moana Pasifika and the Reds, along with a slew of other results, to have any chance of sneaking into the finals. Coach Darren Coleman’s future remains uncertain, with just two wins to his name in 2024.
The Western Force, on the other hand, have kept their playoff hopes alive, sitting just two points behind the eighth-placed Fijian Drua with games against the Reds and Brumbies still to come. The resilient performance from the Force has heaped further pressure on the struggling Waratahs, whose finals dreams are now hanging by a thread.
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