Force fall short against Highlanders in see-sawing contest

The Western Force threw everything at the Highlanders but have gone down in a see-sawing affair 39-31 at Forsyth Barr Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The WA side, chasing their first back-to-back wins in New Zealand since 2008, led at the break but also 31-29 with 12 minutes to play following former All Black George Bridge’s brilliant try from Kurtley Beale’s assist.

But the ‘Landers had the final say, with Caleb Tangitau’s converted try before ex-Force man Reesjan Pasitoa’s penalty made it a two-score game.

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The Force were left to rue errors and penalties in the second half, having stormed into a 21-17 half-time lead following consecutive tries late in the opening 40, including Hamish Stewart’s on the siren set up by Ben Donaldson’s line break.

The visitors had found an edge with Nathan Hastie’s kicking game combined with several lineout steals in the first half, finishing with seven for the game.

But the home side played smarter in the second 40, nullifying those advantages, with Timoci Tavatavanawai a major factor as they got their running game going.

The game ended five tries each as Highlanders backs Tangitau and Jonah Lowe both scored doubles.

The Highlanders won the key stats with ball in hand, with 536 metres gained compared to the Force’s 300, along with 33-16 defenders beaten and 9-2 clean breaks. The visitors weren’t helped by 37 missed tackles.

The WA side are now 1-1 from their three-game New Zealand road trip, with their final assignment coming next Friday against the Hurricanes in Napier from 2:05pm WST live on Stan Sport.

Earlier it was the Highlanders who scored first after probing early, with Veveni Lasaqa dotting in the ninth minute as the home side capitalised on broken play down the left edge.

The Otago side went 10-0 up Cam Millar’s 15^th-minute penalty but the Force rallied with a period of possession dominance with 17 phases before Hastie’s box kick set up an opportunity. In-form back-rower Vaiolini Ekuasi barged over after a Force lineout.

Millar missed a penalty at 10-7, but out of nothing the Highlanders scored again with Jonah Lowe shrugging off a taken down the right edge to score.

Stewart came up with a now-trademark 50-22, opening up a Force attacking raid that ended with captain Jeremy Williams stretching over to score.

Moments later, the Force had a half-time lead as Donaldson jinked inside and burst through the ‘Landers line, offloading inside for Stewart to cross.

The Force had field position early in the second half but couldn’t land a punch to open up a two-score game, with back-to-back penalties after a 10m lineout allowing the Highlanders out.

‘Landers centre Tavatavanawai went on a set of rampaging runs, before Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens’s grubber bounced kindly Lowe to score again. Jona Nareki’s wide cutout pass set up Caleb Tangitau’s try as the home side went 29-21 up.

But the Force responded again, turning to their lineout maul to narrow the gap as Carlo Tizzano got over for his fourth try in four games.

In the 66^th minute, the Force went ahead for the second time, with reserve Kurtley Beale darting clear and laying off for Bridge, who showed strength to power over despite three Highlanders trying to haul him down.

However, there was a fifth lead change as the Highlanders re-claimed the lead barely 60 seconds later after Noriki’s chip and chase, led to Tangitau scooting over unmarked down the right as the Force defence scrambled.

The visitors couldn’t connect as they tried to build late pressure, before Pasitoa’s penalty with four minutes to play iced the game.

Highlanders 39

Tries: Lasaqa (9’), Lowe 2x (27’, 53’), Tangitau 2x (58’, 69’)

Conversions: Millar 34, Pasitoa 1/1

Penalties: Millar 1/2, Pasitoa 1/1

Western Force 31

Tries: Ekuasi (20’), Williams (35’), Stewart (39’), Tizzano (64’), Bridge (66’)

Conversions: Donaldson 3/3, Burey 0/2

Penalties: Nil

@ Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin

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