FORCE FALL JUST SHORT IN TIGHT TAHS ENCOUNTER

[Darren]

A determined Emirates Western Force outfit has been edged out by the Waratahs in Sydney, going down 23-19 at Allianz Stadium this afternoon.

The Force controlled possession for the majority of the match and clawed their way back from a 23-9 deficit shortly after half time, but was unable to make up the final four points, having to settle for a lone bonus point from the match.

The Western Australian defence again held tight, conceding just one try against the Wallaby-laden Waratah line-up, while the Force forward pack– led by captain Matt Hodgson and lock Hugh McMeniman – was strong in a tight affair.

Fullback Alfie Mafi crossed for his side’s only try to extend his season’s tally to five – the most he has scored in a Super Rugby season throughout his career.

Head Coach Michael Foley said while his side continues to show improvement, converting pressure into points remains a focus.

“It’s always disappointing when you don’t get the result but there were a lot of good things out there and I thought we controlled the game for long periods of time,” he said.

“Some of the things we did with the ball, in particular instances from midfield scrums and how we used the ball that was kicked to us, are a couple of things to work on.

“That’s the third game in a row where we’ve only had one try scored against us, the previous two games we had two tries, so our defence is getting better; we’re certainly playing the 80 minutes it’s just how we use the ball that’s hurting us at times.

“There was a load of character out there; it’s a very disappointed change room and we’ve felt that a few times this year, but we’ve got to keep going. We can’t tighten up, we’ve got to keep doing the things we’re doing in attack.”

After holding the early share of possession, the Emirates Western Force converted it into a 6-0 lead after eight minutes through two penalty goals to flyhalf Sias Ebersohn.

While the Force defensive line held true throughout the term, discipline within kicking range proved costly with NSW scrumhalf Brendan McKibbin piloting home five first-half penalty goals.

An Ebersohn penalty in the 36th minute brought the half time score to 15-9, but it was the Waratahs that started the second stanza with a flurry, extending their lead by a further eight points through another McKibbin penalty and try to Adam Ashley-Cooper.

Trailing 23-9, the Force again took control of the match midway through the half, holding the ball for multiple phases and peppering the Tahs defensive line. The pressure told when Mafi straightened the attack on the NSW goal line and crashed through two defenders in the 54th minute to score.

Ebersohn’s conversion and penalty goal five minutes later drew the Force to within four points, and while the visitors challenged the NSW defence in the final five minutes of the match, was unable to land the final necessary blow.

The Emirates Western Force returns home to take on the Melbourne Rebels at nib Stadium on Saturday, 6 April.

2013 Super Rugby – Week 7
Sunday, 31 March 2013 at Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Kick-off: 4.05pm (local)/1.05pm (AWST)

Waratahs 23 (Adam Ashley-Cooper try; Brendan McKibbin 0/1 conversion, 6/7 penalty goals) defeated Emirates Western Force 19 (Alfie Mafi try; Sias Ebersohn 1/1 conversion, 4/5 penalty goals, 0/1 drop goals)
Emirates Western Force
1. Pek Cowan, 2. Heath Tessmann, 3. Salesi Ma’afu, 4. Toby Lynn, 5. Hugh McMeniman, 6. Ben McCalman, 7. Matt Hodgson (c), 8. Richard Brown, 9. Alby Mathewson, 10. Sias Ebersohn, 11. Junior Rasolea, 12. Kyle Godwin, 13. Winston Stanley, 14. Patrick Dellit, 15. Alfie Mafi. Res: 16. Ben Whittaker, 17. Kieran Longbottom, 18. Sam Wykes, 19. Chris Alcock, 20. Jayden Hayward, 21. Sam Christie, 22. Sam Norton-Knight
Coach: Michael Foley

NSW Waratahs
1. Benn Robinson, 2. John Ulugia, 3. Paddy Ryan, 4. Sitaleki Timani, 5. Kane Douglas, 6. Dave Dennis (c), 7. Michael Hooper, 8. Pat McCutcheon, 9. Brendan McKibbin, 10. Bernard Foley, 11. Drew Mitchell, 12. Rob Horne, 13. Adam Ashley-Cooper, 14. Peter Betham, 15. Israel Folau. Res: 16. Tatafu Polota-Nau, 17. Sekope Kepu, 18. Mitchell Chapman, 19. Jed Holloway, 20. Matt Lucas, 21. Ben Volavola, 22. Tom Kingston
Coach: Michael Cheika

Yellow Cards: Salesi Ma’afu (20th min)
Red Cards: Nil
Referee: Steve Walsh
Crowd: 15,348

By the Clock

Min Details Score
5 Sias Ebersohn Penalty Goal 3-0
8 Sias Ebersohn Penalty Goal 6-0
11 Brendan McKibbin Penalty Goal 6-3
18 Brendan McKibbin Penalty Goal 6-6
20 Salesi Ma'afu Sin Bin 6-6
22 Brendan McKibbin Penalty Goal 9-6
29 Brendan McKibbin Penalty Goal 12-6
33 Brendan McKibbin Penalty Goal 15-6
36 Sias Ebersohn Penalty Goal 15-9
42 Brendan McKibbin Penalty Goal 18-9
45 Sias Ebersohn Missed PG 18-9
47 Adam Ashley-Cooper Try 23-9
48 Brendan McKibbin Missed Con 23-9
52 Sias Ebersohn Missed DG 23-9
54 Alfie Mafi Try 23-14
55 Sias Ebersohn Conversion 23-16
60 Sias Ebersohn Penalty Goal 23-19
66 Brendan McKibbin Missed PG 23-19

[jono]

Media is putting the win on folau... He's going to start for the wallabies this year...
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[jargan83]

I thought Folau had a pretty decent game

[.X.]

Watching the game live I thought our Defence, particularly in the second half was seriously impressive and something we can be proud of

[Ecky]

I haven't watched the game yet, but:

This was the Tahs. Put whatever spin you like about how well we played, but we lost a game we should have won, and won well.

[BeeJay]

1 decision making at the breakdown still needs a tweak. At times sending too many in, at others not protecting our ball
2 lineouts - still missing Sharpie
3 a little lacking in imagination in attack - maybe we just don't have the cattle. For the forwards to do so much work, gain so much possession, but then not have the firepower to convert...

Still, never thought I'd say this after yet another close loss, but pretty happy with that effort. Defence again outstanding.

I did think though that we lost a bit of momentum when some of the subs came on, with the exception of Alcock and Longbum.

[SNOB]

It was all those bloody penalties that lost us the game. At least 12 points came directly from penalties. Get rid of them and we win!

[todd4]

We need some penetration in the back line, Stanley's defence is very good but he lacks penetration in attack, we need someone like Cummins at 13 who can bust the line.

[Buddha Handy]

Unless he was injured why would u take off Mafi, he is our only scoring threat. Alcock has to play more than 15 mins what a joke.

Backrow should be Cottrell, Alcock, Hodgson. Mccalman and Brown are getting picked on reputation ahead of players in better form

[SNOB]

We need some penetration in the back line, Stanley's defence is very good but he lacks penetration in attack, we need someone like Cummins at 13 who can bust the line.

We need HB as a centre. His direct running is needed. The HB side step straight through the oposition will make a hell of a difference.

[shasta]

We need HB as a centre. His direct running is needed. The HB side step straight through the oposition will make a hell of a difference.

His defense is not up to it.
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[SNOB]

Shasta you may be right but it seemed to have improved while wearing the Gold jumper.

[Alison]

Unless he was injured why would u take off Mafi, he is our only scoring threat. Alcock has to play more than 15 mins what a joke.

Backrow should be Cottrell, Alcock, Hodgson. Mccalman and Brown are getting picked on reputation ahead of players in better form

Mafi had a hand injury. Was iced up after the game - didn't look good :-((

[Darren]

Matt Lucas was listed on the Force bench in the media release above - but I'm sure he was on the 'tahs bench the day before. He's a tah EPS player - does that mean he can get seconded to other teams as he seems to have been? Obviously he was filling in for Eaton (tragic news) originally listed on the bench.
I must learn how to read a team sheet before posting. Jayden Hayward filled in for Eaton - Lucas was on the 'tahs sheet at 20 ... I'll go have a lie down now

[travelling_gerry]

Just looked at the replay. I could only see 6 guys on our bench and Fox didnt list the reserves.