The Western
Force U16s have been punished by a ruthless NSW Waratahs outfit with a 96-7
defeat in Sunday’s Super Rugby Men’s U16s clash in warm conditions at Pittwater
Rugby Park.

The Force
had come into the game following an impressive first-up 24-5 win over Victoria,
while the ‘Tahs thrashed the ACT Brumbies 97-0 in Canberra.

The home
side were in a similar mood this time, looking potent every time they went
forward, but the Force still caused them plenty of problems, with resolve in
defence and pluck in attack.

The ‘Tahs scored
14 tries to one, with seven in each half, with their big forward pack
constantly opening up opportunities for their outside backs who countered at
will. The Force fatigued in the second period with the ‘Tahs unrelenting.

Kalamunda
hooker Tamati Tawhitapou scored the Force’s only try, levelling the game up
early at 7-7, while Mandurah Pirates fly-half Kaiawha Heke impressed
again with his creativity and industry.

The Force
are next in action away to the ACT Brumbies on Saturday 11 October from 12pm
WST live on Stan Sport and rugby.com.au’s YouTube stream.

The
visitors produced some crucial last-ditch defence forcing several errors from
the ‘Tahs, including a tackle from hooker Tawhitapou when Izak Holmes seemed
destined for the try line. But the hosts would go ahead, with a tap and go from
captain Wilson Ruthven.

The Force
enjoyed a good period of attacking pressure inside their attacking 22, before a
lineout rolling maul try scored by Tawhitapou after 10 minutes.

The ‘Tahs
hit back with their forwards putting the Force on the back foot to create a
quickfire double within three minutes from Payton Tarau to open up a
21-7 lead.

In defence, Force winger Tyrese Wainohu came up with an
intercept before Kaiawha Heke’s kick earned a 70m gain, but NSW eventually forced their way back,
with full-back Finn Hannon dotting. Holmes’ line break led to Tarau finding
fellow centre Charlie Xuereb for the next.

Force
reserve forward Lachlan Ilott came within a few metres of the try line before
Mandurah Pirates lock Enzo Kyle was held up.

NSW then
went down the other end with winger Julian Minto crossing in the right corner.
Xuereb’s flick pass led to a Tahs counter with Holmes adding another for a 49-7
half-time lead.

After the
Force held strong in the first 10 minutes of the second half, Tahs reserve
Eddie Garcia-Wood dotted from a rolling maul. NSW reserve hooker Archie Hill
added another off a maul, before Benjamin Wright and Asher Chapman both scored
down the left edge.

Chapman got
his second on the hour to crack 80 after Tarau’s release. Three minutes later,
Tarau completed his hat-trick with ‘Tahs backs queuing up.

The force
had a late chance for a consolation try after Garcia-Wood was binned but
spurned the 5m lineout. Instead, Tahs substitute Ziyon Lepolo dotted from a
set-piece under the sticks.

NSW
Waratahs 96

Tries:
Ruthven (5’), Tarau 3x (12’, 15’, 63’), Hannon (20’), Xuereb (23’),
Minto (29’), Holmes (33’), Garcia-Wood (44’), Hill (50’), Wright (54’), Chapman
2x (57’. 60’), Lepolo (70’)

Conversions:
Ruthven 13/14

Penalties:
Nil

Western
Force 7

Tries: Tamati
Tawhitapou (9’)

Conversions:
Heke 1/1

Penalties:
Nil