The NSW Waratahs were too good for the Western Force in the side’s opening Super Rugby Next Gen clash in Sydney, with the visitors going down 97-5 on Saturday afternoon.
The ‘Tahs were ruthlessly efficient throughout the contest where the Force were forced to defend for long periods at Eric Tweedale Stadium in Sydney's west.
The Force showed resolve at times and had some bright moments in attack, but NSW were clinical and swooped on any errors, racing to 61-5 half-time lead with nine first-half tries.
Academy and Kalamunda talent Fatani Fatanitavake scored the Force’s lone try midway through the first half. The ‘Tahs added six tries after the interval for an emphatic win.
2026 SIX-GAME FORCE MEMBERSHIPS ARE ON SALE FROM $145 PER ADULT AND $59 PER JUNIOR
The Force will look to re-group next weekend when the side hosts the ACT Brumbies at HBF Park on Saturday 14 February from 2pm as the curtain-raiser to the Swyftx Super Rugby Pacific Round 1 clash between the two sides.
The Force showed resolve in the first 20 minutes with the ball spending a lot of time in the Force defensive half, with a Nate Gallagher steal early, but the ‘Tahs persevered with Louis Fenwicke scoring down the left edge for the opener.
Blindside flanker Luca Cleverley bustled through for a second and Tahs prop Edwin Langi rolled over for a 21-0 lead after 20 minutes.
But among that the Force probed with Chase Bunce darting down the right after the impressive Ryan McGloin offloaded for speedster Peni Naqau, while hooker Luke Megson came close from a rolling maul which got within 2m.
The ‘Tahs forced a turnover leading to Cleverley’s second, with winger Rory O’Connor adding another after a side-to-side move.
The Force responded with Fatanitavake dotting after Joondalup Brothers talent McGloin burst 35 metres out of full-back. The visitors kept the move alive after Luke Holt-Brown’s errant pass, with Naqau goose stepping down the left, before Rickie Harte’s try assist for Fatanitavake.
NSW responded quickly, with Marshall Le Maitre combining with Cleverley to score straight through the Force defence for his hat-trick. Hooker Dylan Simmons scored off a maul and Leo Jaques picked off a Holt-Brown pass for another. Simmons dotted with a pick and go on half-time for a 61-5 lead.
The Force defence was steeled after half-time with Holt-Brown making a try-saving tackle on Tom Farr-Jones, before NSW scored from James Archer after Fenwicke’s classy assist.
The ‘Tahs kept scoring, albeit less frequently, with Fenwicke dotting after the Force had looked to attack, followed by Isaac Fonua offloaded for reserve front-rower Harper Strachan to cross for 80-5.
Tahs backs Zach Fittler and Tom Farr-Jones showed toe to both dot, before a Force loose pass turned them around, allowing Tom O’Hara to score the final try of the game.
NSW Waratahs 97
Tries: Fenwicke (4’, 58’), Cleverley (10’, 23’, 30’), Langi (17’), O’Connor (25’), Simmons (34’, 40’), Jaques (36’), Archer (48’), Strachan (64’), Fittler (67’), Farr-Jones (74’), O’Hara (79’) Conversions: Dene 11/15 Penalties: Nil
Western Force 5
Tries: Fatanitavake (27’) Conversions: Anderson 0/1 Penalties: Nil
@ Eric Tweedale Stadium, Sydney
2026 SIX-GAME FORCE MEMBERSHIPS ARE ON SALE FROM $145 PER ADULT AND $59 PER JUNIOR
