The Western
Force U16s are up to second on the Super Rugby Men’s U16s ladder following a
29-19 victory away to the ACT Brumbies in Canberra on Saturday.
The Force triumphed
five tries to three, with Kalamunda winger Tyrese Wainohu opening the scoring,
before tries to locks Oscar Sio and Enzo Kyle, followed by hookers Jamie Mackenzie and
Harry Jenkins.
In fine
conditions with a strong wind at Brumbies HQ, the Force performed strongly led by
their forward pack, with back-rower Bareek Kleine-Deters Ausage and Kalani Onno
standing out, although the latter got into trouble with the referee late on.
Generally,
the Force’s discipline was a key factor with the Brumbies having several yellow
cards, while the visitors’ kicking game was shrewd in the breeze.
The Force
led 24-7 at the break after scoring four tries to one, but the Brumbies’ two
second-half tries denied the visitors a bonus point.
The result
means the Force have nine points from three games, with NSW Waratahs – who won
54-45 over the Queensland Reds – well clear on top of the standings at the
conclusion of Round 3.
The Force
are next in action in an all-important clash against the third-placed Reds (5
points from 2 games) at Success Regional Sporting Facility from 1pm next Sunday
19 October, followed by the opening game of the North vs South Women’s Series
from 3pm at the Southern Lions venue (free entry).
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The visitors
took the lead early after Brums winger Cayden Cross was binned for a slap down
on a Force attacking opportunity. From the ensuing lineout, impressive Nedlands
back-rower Lachlan Ilott drove to the line, before scrum-half Daniel Kroczek-Crack
spread right for Kalamunda winger Wainohu to score.
The Brumbies
pressed, but the Force produced excellent maul defence to force them to lose
the ball forward within 5m of the try line.
The Force’s
second try came after a strong Onno carry, before Kalamunda second-rower Oscar Sio
swooped for his second try of the campaign. Mandurah’s Kaiawha Heke nailed the
tough conversion in windy conditions.
The Brumbies
replied from a free-flowing move down the right as Oliver Henderson shifted to
William Hall to score in the right corner, their first five-pointer of the
season.
The home
side were reduced to 14 again, with Jack Maguire binned, in the lead-up to the
Force’s third try with Kroczek-Crack finding Mandurah lock Enzo Kyle to score.
Onno continued
his dominant first half with a strong drive into the 22, before captain Kleine-Deters
Ausage was held up over the try line. Wests Scarborough hooker Mackenzie scored
on the back of a rolling maul shortly after to lead 24-7 at half-time.
The Force
pulled further ahead when Scots College hooker Jenkins crossed following a
lineout maul.
The
Brumbies kept the pressure on, with Will Bullock dotting after Cross’ excellent
run down the left.
Onno managed
a breakdown steal, before being yellow carded minutes later. The Brums also had
Henderson binned for a late shot on Joondalup winger Marco Nel.
With five
minutes to play, Cross gave the contest a pulse with a scorching run down the
left edge to score a converted try for 29-17.
In the
dying minutes, Onno was handed a red card for his second yellow after an off-the-ball
scuffle, initiated by the Brumbies.
The Force
pressed for a sixth try but Elia Vodovodo’s error ended any hopes of another to
earn a bonus point.
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ACT
Brumbies 19
Tries: Hall
(23’), Bullock (40’), Cross (66’)
Conversions:
Henderson 1/2, Callaway 1/1
Penalties:
Nil
Western
Force 29
Tries:
Wainohu (7’), Sio (20’), Kyle (26’), Mackenzie (32’), Jenkins (38’)
Conversions:
Heke 2/5
Penalties:
Nil