NSW Country have ended the Western Force’s unbeaten run and stamped their own NRC credentials leading from start to finish in an impressive 38-24 victory at Port Macquarie.
All the talk before the match centred on whether the Force could extend their winning streak to five and finish the season without a loss.
Despite suffering their first loss of the season to Brisbane last week, the Eagles entered the clash somewhat under the radar in fourth place but today’s table topping scalp has seen them fly into second spot with thoughts of a home semi-final.
The Eagles’ all Sydney University front-row of Tom Robertson, Harry Johnson-Holmes and hooker Tom Horton finished over the top of their much-vaunted rivals while the outside men showed their class as Country surged to halftime with a 21-7 lead.
Junior Wallabies winger Mark Nawaqanitawase showed why he is a star on the rise, playing a dominant role in three of the Eagles’ opening four tries on a day that saw Connor O’Shea shine at flyhalf after injury forced Mack Mason off in the 13th minute.
A scrappy opening came to life when Nawaqanitawase opened the scoring for Country in the seventh minute. Centre Joey Walton attracted several defenders and the teenager did the rest, racing clear along the right touchline.
Nawaqanitawase broke away again just three minutes later and the Eagles’ lead doubled to 14-0 when Jake Gordon steamed onto a room service bounce to finish a superb length-of-the-field team try.
An out of sorts Force quickly regathered and pressed the Country line. Repeated ruck infringements saw Eagles no.8 Nick Champion de Crespigny yellow carded and the Force immediately edged back to within a converted try when Heath Tessmann dived over the line.
The veteran hooker’s smile quickly disappeared with a yellow card of his own in the 23rd minute and the Country pack took immediate advantage, driving the Force scrum in-goal to earn a penalty try.
Down 21-7, Leon Feke crossed just two minutes after the restart giving the Force hope of extending their unbeaten winning streak to five.
But it wasn’t to be as Nawaqanitawase yet again popped up with a play to remember, this time with a chip kick on halfway that was regathered and finished off by Nigel Ah Wong under the posts.
A try to Feleti Kaitu'u saw the Force trail 28-17 but the usually reliable Ian Prior was having an off day with the boot and failed to convert.
🔥@CountryEagles were on fire today as they beat @westernforce 38-24 in round 5 of #NRC19
— RUGBYcomau (@rugbycomau) September 29, 2019
MORE: https://t.co/hZF4dL0Ma8 pic.twitter.com/jkodXFwbJp
A try to Eagles long striding winger Ben Wollett put the match beyond doubt in the closing stages before Force winger Jonah Placid rounded out the try scoring with his seventh of the season.
An O’Shea penalty goal rounded out the Eagles' 38-24 victory and they’ll look forward to a continuation of their form next week against Queensland Country while the Force return home to face Brisbane City.
RESULT
NSW Country 38
Tries: Nawaqanitawase, Gordon, Penalty-try, Ah Wong, Woollett
Cons: Mason, O’Shea 3
Pens: O’Shea
Yellow card: Champion de Crespigny 17’
Western Force 24
Tries: Tessmann, Feke, Kaitu'u, Placid
Cons: Prior, Deegan
Yellow card: Tessmann 23’
