The Western Force have kick-started their season with a much-needed 35-19 away win over Moana Pasifika.
It was a game that had it all: late withdrawals, HIA chaos and a blown try.
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But what did we learn?
The Force needed that win for a number of reasons.
Firstly, it reinforces that this team has improved from last year’s effort, with their pack coming a long way from the second half of last year and putting in a massive shift.
Most importantly, it provides that crucial away win that has eluded them for so long. On a three-week tour, it sets them up with confidence and momentum before crucial matches against the Hurricanes and Highlanders.
For a team whose struggles on the road are well-documented, the victory will do them a world of good, even if they were denied a bonus point late.
There’s always room for first in the 30 years of Super Rugby, and the chaos around Ben Donaldson was surely a first.
The Force ran out without their Wallaby playmaker following his mouthguard going off for an HIA very late in the warm-up, leading to chaos for the 32% of Fantasy owners that had him.
Even captain Jeremy Williams had little idea what was going on when Max Burey suddenly had the ball ready to kick off.
Fortunately for the visitors, he came on after just two minutes and set up Darby Lancaster for the opener with a kick in behind that fortuitously landed in the flyer’s hands.
He should’ve had a second if not for George Bridge’s brain fade (we’ll get to that). But Donaldson's ability to shrug off the disruption and deliver a strong performance is a credit to his class.
Western Force coach Simon Cron was grinning ear-to-ear talking about Darcy Lancaster during his pre-game press conference and it’s easy to see why, with the Wallaby back to his lightning best.
Lancaster was quick to endear himself to the Sea of Blue, collecting a Donaldson kick and sprinting away for the opener.
With Dylan Pietsch on the sidelines, the Force’s backline desperately needed some x-factor. His break in the 12th minute was a perfect example of what he can create from nothing, even if it almost ended in a Moana Pasifika try.
He had five tackle busts from as many carries to go with two line breaks at the try.
George Bridge got a reminder of why you always play to the whistle after committing an almighty brain fade.
The centre did so well to split the defence in the 31st minute but coasted to the try-line, allowing Denzel Samoa to track him down and dislodge the ball.
He played like a man desperate to atone for his sins following this, instantly setting up Swain before scoring himself right on half-time.
However, the lackadaisical put-down was unacceptable for a 19-cap club player, let alone a 19-cap All Black.
The Western Force laid the platform for their victory with a beautiful kicking display.
They entered this week with the least amount of kicks but they hammered a Moana Pasifika backline that had been decimated by late changes.
Donaldson was on song all night, but Hamish Stewart was also excellent, with the best being a pinpoint 50-22 that flipped field position.
The windy conditions last week prevented them from using the boot properly, but they were at home despite the patchy field.
