FORCE COMPLETES PRE-SEASON WITH PAMPAS XV WIN

The Western Force has completed its Super Rugby preparations with a 29-6 win over the Argentine Pampas XV at the Force Field (nib Stadium) tonight.

The victory follows on from last weekend’s 69-3 result over Samoa A, with the Force refusing to concede a try in either match.

Force captain Matt Hodgson says it was pleasing to hold both sides try-less ahead of their opening Super Rugby fixture against the NSW Waratahs in Sydney on Sunday, 23 February.

“We stepped up a lot in defence last year and it’s something we’ve continued to work on,” he said. “We’ve got goals around that and we definitely want to continue to improve and force the opposition to work extremely hard for any points they get.

“We came through the [pre-season] games without any injuries, just a few bumps and bruises, and with everyone on deck for next week, I’m sure it’ll be difficult to pick the 23 that go out there [against the Waratahs].”

In a solid team performance, fullback and new recruit Luke Morahan showed a deft touch throughout the match, finishing the match with three try assists and crossing for one of his own in the third quarter. Winger Nick Cummins was twice the benefactor of Morahan’s work, crossing for two tries in the second and third periods.

While the Pampas XV had the early running of possession after the Pampas side spent their first six minutes in attack, it was the Force that hit the scoreboard first when Nathan Charles backed up on the inside to touch down under the posts with the Force’s first taste of possession.

Up 7-3 at the quarter-time break, the Force added a further two tries before half time when a Morahan around-the-corner pass found a flying Cummins, with McCalman scoring on the back of a dominant scrum near the try line to take a 17-6 lead at the break.

The Force added a final two tries in the third quarter when Kyle Godwin’s quick hands sent Morahan across the line before the pair combined to send Cummins over for the final try of the night.

The Pampas XV scored through two penalties to flyhalf Patricio Fernandez.

Meanwhile, Force A has defeated Samoa A, 54-12, in a physical encounter in the opening match at nib Stadium tonight.

The match marked the comeback from a shoulder injury for Force lock Hugh McMeniman, who successfully completed the opening 40 minutes and was denied a try after being held up under the posts in the first quarter.

The Western Australians shared the tries around with eight individual try-scorers, including a charge down try to No. 8 Brynard Stander, who was again strong in his second outing for the club, with Ed Stubbs and Patrick Dellit also crossing for their second tries in as many weeks.

Force A led at every change, including a 35-12 half-time lead, with inside backs Sias Ebersohn and Luke Burton capitalised on almost every try, missing just one conversion between them during the match.

After scoring just a penalty against the Force in Rockingham last week, the Samoans broke their try drought at the end of the first quarter when winger Faafou Amate crossed.


Super Rugby – Pre-season
Friday, 14 February 2014 at The Force Field – nib Stadium, Perth
1. WESTERN FORCE v PAMPAS XV – Kick-off: 7.30pm
Western Force 29 (Nick Cummins 2; Nathan Charles, Luke Morahan, Ben McCalman tries; Zack Holmes 2 conversions) defeated Pampas XV 6 (Patricio Fernandez 2 penalties)
Western Force
1. Tetera Faulkner, 2. Nathan Charles, 3. Kieran Longbotton, 4. Sam Wykes, 5. W Steenkamp, 6. Angus Cottrell, 7. Matt Hodgson (c), 8. Ben McCalman, 9. Alby Mathewson, 10. Zack Holmes, 11. Nick Cummins, 12. Kyle Godwin, 13. Junior Rasolea, 14. Marcel Brache, 15. Luke Morahan. Res: 16. Robbie Abel, 17. Francois Van Wyk, 18. Oliver Hoskins, 19. Bruce Smith-Wright, 20. Phoenix Battye, 21. Richard Hardwick, 22. Chris Alcock, 23. Brynard Stander, 24. Ryan Louwrens, 25. Dillyn Leyds, 26. Ed Stubbs, 27. Jayden Hayward. 28. Dylan Sage, 29. Brad Lacey, 30. Sias Ebersohn.

Pampas XV
1. Lucas Noguera, 2. Matias Cortese, 3. Ramiro Herrera, 4. Tomas Lavanini, 5. Matias Alemanno, 6. Rodrigo Baez, 7. Tomas De La Vega, 8. Ahualli Ahualli, 9. Martin Landajo (c), 10. Patricio Fernandez, 11. Santiago Cordero. 12. Javier Rojas 13. Matias Orlando, 14. Ramiro Moyan, 15. Roman Miralles. Res: 16. Bruno Postiglioni, 17. Tomas Ramirez, 18. Rodrigo Bruno, 19. Lucas Ponce, 20. Javier Ortegra Desio, 21. Tomas Cubelli. 22. Iglesias Santiago Gonzalez, 23. Manuel Montero, 24. Santiago Iglesias, 25. Facundo Isa, 26. Guido Petti, 27. Julian Montoya, 28. Tomas Carrio, 29. Moroni Moroni, 30. Jeronimo De La Fuente.
Referee: Rohan Hoffmann

2. FORCE A v SAMOA A – Kick-off: 5pm
Force A 54 (Chris Alcock, Chris Tuatara-Morrison, Patrick Dellit, Brynard Stander, Ed Stubbs, Richard Hardwick, Luke Burton, Ryan Louwrens tries; Sias Ebersohn 5 conversions, Luke Burton 2 conversions) defeated Samoa A 12 (Fafou Amate, Maselino Paulino tries; Ki Anufe conversion)
Force A
1. Pek Cowan, 2. Heath Tessmann (c), 3. Salesi Manu, 4. Hugh McMeniman, 5. Phoenix Battye, 6. Rory Walton, 7. Chris Alcock, 8. Brynard Stander, 9. Ian Prior, 10. Sias Ebersohn, 11. Ed Stubbs, 12. Luke Burton, 13. Chris Tuatara-Morrison, 14. Patrick Dellit, 15. Jayden Hayward. Res: 16. Robbie Abel, 17. Francois Van Wyk, 18. Harry Scoble, 19. Chris Heiberg, 20. Bruce Smith-Wright, 21. Corey Thomas, 22. Kane Koteka, 23. Richard Hardwick, 24. Ryan Louwrens, 25. Dillyn Leyds, 26. Brad Lacey, 27. Dylan Sage, 28. Dane Haylett-Petty, 29. Angus Taylor, 30. Va’a Mailei

Samoa A
1. Aniseko Sio, 2. Andrew Williams, 3. Jake Grey, 4. Maselino Paulino (c), 5. Tofatuimoana Solia, 6. Tasi Telea, 7. Faalemiga Selesele, 8. Talitonu Faaquea, 9. Taulagi Afamasaga, 10. Ki Anufe, 11. Afereti Iona, 12. Meki Magele, 13. Alefosio Tapili, 14. Faafou Amate, 15. Viiga Reupena. Res: 16. Alofaia Isaia, 17. Andrew Broomhall, 18. Raymond Salu, 19. Afioae Maiava, 20. Brian Utumapu, 21. Faitio Sione, 22. Vaiofaga Simanu, 23. Sofara Mai, 24. Lafeta Laau, 25. Walter Imo, 26. Hamilton Vaalepu, 27. Dan Mariner.
Referee: Graham Cooper