Five things we learnt from NSW Waratahs - Western Force

Fri, May 1, 2026, 11:29 AM
Nathan Williamson
by Nathan Williamson
Dylan Pietsch was the standout for the Force in the win over the Waratahs. Photo: Getty Images
Dylan Pietsch was the standout for the Force in the win over the Waratahs. Photo: Getty Images

The Western Force remain in the hunt for finals football after a 20-17 win over the NSW Waratahs in Sydney.

It continues their purple patch of form as the Waratahs' finals hopes take a massive hit.

Watch every second of the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season live and on demand via Stan Sport.

So what did we learn?

1 Pietsch outshines convert battle

The story going into the game was Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii and Zac Lomax, but it was Dylan Pietsch who’ll demand the headlines.

Pietsch was outstanding, whether it was his tough carries or two determined tries on his return home to Sydney. He was the best in the air out of the backs, pinning the Waratahs inside their half during the last 40 minutes despite the hosts' excellent work shutting down Zac Lomax.

For Suaalii, his best moment came off the kick-off when he won it back, but he was limited in his involvement. He’s a player who will find his feet, but he was still an aerial threat off kick-offs.

Meanwhile, Lomax may have been shut out of the game aerially largely but he was much more involved as a runner. He floated off his wing for ten solid carries before following Suaalii off the field at the hour mark.

2. Force form side in Australia 

It was far from their best performance, but the Western Force kept rolling to finish the season.

They were deserved victors after dominating territory all night, doing enough late to secure the win.

It keeps their slim finals hopes alive, having taken down crucial scalps in the form of the Crusaders and Reds in the past month.

They are still several points off the top six, but confidence is a wonderful thing.

3. Finals start now for Waratahs

The Waratahs need to be perfect from here on and find another gear if they are to play finals.

They struggled to gain any territory against the Force, managing one line break and five tackle busts. There was an over 50-minute period between 22 entries for the club, although they did make that count with a Folau Fainga’a try.

It left them stuck in defensive hell, making a tick under 300 tackles as they ran out of gas.

It’s imperative they win away from home against the Highlanders and Fijian Drua, two of the toughest places in Super Rugby.

4. Donaldson doing Test hopes little harm

Ben Donaldson is doing everything right to earn a Wallabies recall.

The Force flyhalf was intent on taking the line on often and found success against a Waratahs defence guilty of falling off tackles at times.

He finished the first half with the most post-contact metres as he created plenty of half-chances for the likes of Mac Grealy and Henry Robertson, both excellent.

His break in the second half was excellent and deserved a try assist had it not been for a blown pass from George Bridge.

5. Grealy looming as Wallabies bolter

Mac Grealy deserves to be in the discussions for a Wallabies call-up.

Grealy has arguably been the form Australian fullback alongside Jock Campbell, with his offload to Pietsch in the second half a beauty.

He plays well above his size, taking 17 carries for close to 150 metres that included a trio of line breaks and the try assist.

He’s a name that flies under the radar but will have deserved the nod should Joe Schmidt read his name out next month.

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