The Western Force have fired up to post their first victory of the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season with a desperately needed 35-19 win over a disappointing Moana Pasifika outfit.<\/p>\n
After losing their first two games in Perth, the Force not only crossed the country but also the Tasman to finally taste success in emphatic fashion in Pukekohe.<\/p>\n
The Force ran in five tries to three to drag themselves off the bottom of the ladder and consign Moana to a disappointing defeat in front of their home fans.<\/p>\n
The WA franchise’s welcome breakthrough snapped a nine-match winless run stretching back to April last year.<\/p>\n
The win was also their first in New Zealand since also beating the Pacific Islanders four years ago.<\/p>\n
And a former All Black was fittingly among the stars on Friday night.<\/p>\n
After bombing what should have been a certain try on the half hour, George Bridge atoned just two minutes later when, first, he went within centimetres of forcing his way over.<\/p>\n
Lock Darcy Swain instead strolled over from the very next phase before Bridge burst through the Moana defence to score his maiden try for the Force.<\/p>\n
Loading Instagram content<\/p>\n
The classy centre might have been embarrassed after butchering a try earlier when he was caught out while casually about to put the ball down when Moana winger Denzel Samoa forced possession free over the line.<\/p>\n
After needing to pass a last-minute HIA to play, Force flyhalf Ben Donaldson also returned to torment Pasifika once again.<\/p>\n
After scoring in the 85th minute, then slotting the winning conversion in a heart-stopping 45-44 win for the Force in the corresponding fixture last year, Donaldson set up the first try on Friday.<\/p>\n
Winger Darby Lancaster swooped on Donaldson’s left-foot cross-field kick to touch down after just five minutes.<\/p>\n
Hooker Mills Sanerivi bagged the home team’s only try of the first half as the Force enjoyed a 21-7 lead at the break.<\/p>\n
Unlike in heavy losses to the Brumbies and Blues to start the season, the Force went on with the job in the second half.<\/p>\n