The Western Force have earned hosting rights for the Swyftx Super Rugby AUS Grand Final after a come-from-behind 17-12 win away to the NSW Waratahs in Sydney on Sunday.
Young gun Boston Fakafanua scored the go-ahead try in the 49th minute after the Force trailed 12-7 at the break in wet conditions at Pittwater Rugby Park.
Both sides already knew they’d qualified for the Super Rugby AUS decider coming into the game, with hosting rights for the Grand Final up for grabs.
Head to https://am.ticketmaster.com/westernforce/ to secure your 2027 Western Force Membership today.
The WA side will be looking to avenge last year’s Grand Final, where the ‘Tahs came to Perth and won the inaugural title 33-26 at Wanneroo.
The victory not only sealed hosting rights but also a perfect record for the WA side, claiming three wins from three Super Rugby AUS games.
Half-back Nathan Hastie scored in the first half after Wallace Charlie’s line break, taking the Wanneroo product to a competitive-high five tries from three games.
Captain Nic Dolly dotted shortly after half-time to level the scores before Fakafanua’s decisive try. The ‘Tahs pressed late but the Force’s defence showed resolve, while veteran fly-half Kurtley Beale ensured good field position too.
Wallabies winger Dylan Pietsch also made a successful return form a foot injury, providing plenty of energy with and without the ball, including some powerful carries in the first half.
Beale and Hastie were again critical to the Force victory, working neatly in tandem at 9 and 10, with shrewd game management, but the forwards had plenty of work to do in challenging conditions. The Force regularly turned to their rolling maul for attacking threat.
The Force started best, with Dolly falling marginally short of the line from a rolling maul in the third minute, with Luke Reimer lucky to avoid the bin when caught off his feet.
Despite the early Force possession and territory, it was the ‘Tahs who scored first with hooker Ethan Dobbins latching on to the rolling maul after Isaac Fonua’s 10m lineout receive to slide over.
The Force kept banging on the door, with Dolly held up amid repeat penalties leading to a yellow card to Latrell Smiler Ah-Kiong. Moments later the Force maul was rolling towards the tryline but collapsed legally, with the ‘Tahs winning the turnover.
Scrum-half Hastie maintained the tempo and Beale’s kicking game shone. That was rewarded when Charlie ran a clever line to find a gap, laying off inside for Hastie to score. Beale converted for a 7-5 lead.
Force prop Tom Robertson was binned for a late tackle and in his absence the visitors conceded, with hooker Dobbins powering over for his second and a 12-7 ‘Tahs lead with Max Burey converting.
The ‘Tahs threatened to pull clear, with Burey linking up with George Poolman and Freedom Vahaakolo in quick succession but the Force defence was resolute.
After the break, Beale put the Force in good position before Dolly rolled over on the back of the maul shortly after the restart. Beale couldn’t convert, with scores locked at 12-12.
Beale’s kicking again put the Force deep in attacking territory, with Sydney University midfielder Fakafanua stepping inside after rolling maul came close for the go-ahead try.
The home side had their moments late as they threatening to square the game, with Joe Dillon’s awkward kick forcing Beale into action, where he was able to prevent a 50-22 but not a ‘Tahs lineout in dangerous territory.
But the Force defence kept fronting up and the ‘Tahs couldn’t find a way through. Kalamunda prop Max Sawers came up with the ball in a heavy tackle on Burey, before Beale kicked away after the siren to seal the win, avoiding another trip to Sydney next week.
NSW Waratahs 12
Tries: Dobbins 2x
Conversions: Burey 1/2
Penalties: Nil
Western Force 17
Tries: Hastie, Dolly, Fakafanua
Conversions: Beale 1/3
Penalties: Nil
@ Pittwater Rugby Park, Sydney
Head to https://am.ticketmaster.com/westernforce/ to secure your 2027 Western Force Membership today.
