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Western Force creep closer to finals berth with win over Moana Pasifika

Reesjan Pasitoa. (Photo by Andrew Cornaga/Photosport)

Western Force have kept their Super Rugby Pacific finals hopes alive after snapping their losing streak with a key 48-28 win over Moana Pasifika.

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Playing their postponed Round 10 match on Tuesday night in Auckland, the Force ran in seven tries to also collect a vital bonus point.

That came in the 78th minute when Kyle Godwin ran on to a break by star winger Manasa Mataele to touch down to the delight of his teammates.

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Predicting the Super Rugby Pacific play-offs.

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Predicting the Super Rugby Pacific play-offs.

The result meant the men from Perth have moved into ninth position on the ladder, three points behind the Highlanders with the top eight playing finals.

With five points on offer – four for a win and a bonus point for scoring three or more tries than the opposition – they now need to beat the fifth-placed Hurricanes on Saturday night at home in Perth and rely on 10th-placed Rebels downing the Highlanders at AAMI Park on Sunday.

Skipper Ian Prior said it was a huge ask to back up after a heavy loss to the Chiefs – their seventh in succession – and travel to New Zealand.

“It’s been a tough couple of weeks with a couple of big scorecards, but I’m immensely proud of the group,” the veteran halfback told Stan Sport.

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“We’ve talked about responding from a short turnaround as well.

“It’s going to be really special to get home back in front of our home crowd and give ourselves the best chance possible to try and stick in the finals there.”

The Force set up the win on the back of a dominant set piece and some steely defence to shut down their athletic opponents, while showing some endeavour in attack.

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Moana Pasifika led 14-5 early thanks to two tries by winger Tima Fainga’anuku.

But they lost centre Levi Aumua to a yellow card for an ugly lifting tackle on Richard Kahui.

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Force fullback Jake McIntyre scored the first of his two tries three minutes later to swing momentum his team’s way.

Centre Byron Ralston then crossed right on halftime, with Ian Prior adding the extras to secure a 19-14 buffer.

The Force extended that lead to 20 points through Toni Pulu, McIntyre’s second and Jackson Pugh and it looked like they had the bonus point in their keeping.

But Moana Pasifika kept them on their toes with a 69th-minute try to Tau Koloamatangi.

That set up a thrilling finish with the Force needing to cross again to get the extra point, with Godwin coming up trumps.

– Melissa Woods

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AM 41 minutes ago
'Freelancer' Izaia Perese shows the need for true inclusivity in Australian rugby

That's Cron's job though. Australia has had one of the most penalised scrums in international rugby for a long time. Just look at the scrum win loss percentage and scrum penalties. That is your evidence. AA has been the starter during that period. Pretty simple analysis. That Australia has had a poor scrum for a long time is hardly news. If bell and thor are not on the field they are woeful. So you are just plain wrong. They have very little time for the lions so doing the same old things that dont work is not going to get them there.


Ainsley is better than our next best tighthead options and has been playing well at scrum time for Lyon in the most competitive comp in the world. Superstar player? No. But better than the next best options. So that is a good enough guide. The scrummaging in the Prem is pretty good too so there is Sio's proof. Same analysis for him. Certainly better in both cases than Super, where the brumbies had the worst win loss and scrum pen in Super. Who plays there? Ohh yes... And the level of scrummaging in Super is well below the URC, prem and France with the SA teams out.


Nongorr is truly woeful. He's 130kg and gets shoved about. That just should not be happening at that weight for a specialist prop who has always played rugby cf pone with leauge. He has had enough time to develop at 23. You'd be better off with Pone who is at least good around the field for the moment and sending Nongorr on exchange to France or England to see if they can improve him with better coaching as happened with Skelton and Meafou. He isn't going to develop in time in super if he has it at all.


Latu is a better scrummaging hooker than BPA and Nasser. and he's the best aussie player over the ball at ruck time. McReight's super jackling percentage hasnt converted to international level but latu consistently does it at heniken level, which is similar to test level in the big games. With good coaching at La Rochelle he's much improved though still has the odd shocker. He should start the November games.

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