Force Defeat Highlanders

[Darren]

A huge second half has seen the Western Force come from 14-3 behind to defeat the Highlanders 14 - 21 in Dunedin.

The Western Force has become the first Australian team to win in New Zealand in 2011 and secured its fourth successive win against the Highlanders with an impressive 21 - 14 victory at Carisbrook Stadium on Friday night.

The late withdrawal of fullback Cameron Shepherd saw the Perth side head into the match with six regulars out of action, four of them capped Australian internationals, but against the odds produced an inspired second half.

After trailing by 11 at the break the Emirates Western Force piled on 18 unanswered points, including a brace to winger David Smith, to stun the Highlanders and all but end their finals hopes.

“We certainly showed wonderful character, I don’t think that has ever been brought into question amongst this group, but tonight they were rewarded for their efforts,” Coach Richard Graham said.

“I’m incredibly proud of this group,” added Graham.

A magnificent defensive effort was the bedrock of the win which secured the club its third victory on the road and fourth overall of the campaign.

While the effort was shared amongst the squad David Pocock and Matt Hodgson were prominent in the loose while James Stannard again showed great composure in just his second Super Rugby game at flyhalf, expertly driving the side around the park.

Stannard was in the thick of the action from the outset, opening the scoring with a penalty but then yellow carded for tackling a Highlanders player without the ball.

Already reeling after letting Ben Smith cross for the home side’s first try of the night, the Emirates Western Force were looking down the barrel of an eight point deficit and a rejuvenated Highlanders outfit all hurtling at them while being a man down.

Despite a hefty weight stacked against them, the West Aussies found composure and turned on a defensive fortitude that has been a trademark of their play all season to limit the damage to just one further penalty goal.

Trailing by 11 points the Emirates Western Force came out after the break needing to find some scoring avenues but also succeeded in turning the House of Pain in the House of Frustration for the Highlanders.

The home side struggled to unlock the visitors’ clam-like defence and with the ball being played predominantly in the West Aussie’s attacking half it seemed like only a matter of time before they would be rewarded.

The Highlanders were stretched left and right as Alfie Mafi and the Pocock were both held up centimetres short of the line before Smith skilfully manoeuvred his way through the defence to slam down his first of the night.

Stannard made no mistake in adding the extras and with 15 minutes remaining there was only four points the difference.

Substitute Richard Brown and impressive rookie Paddy Dellit, playing at fullback, continually punched holes in an increasingly ragged Highlanders defence only for a forward pass to deny Smith a second try in as many minutes.

Moments later though Stannard nailed a penalty to close the gap to a point and the tension levels rose dramatically amongst a home crowd desperate to see their side continue their push for the finals and also farewell Carisbrook Stadium with a win.

However the Emirates Western Force had plenty of motivation of their own to get the job done and soon were celebrating one of their best tries this season.

Smith picked up the ball in midfield, still some five metres inside his own half, and then embarked on a searing run. He wrong-footed and brushed aside three helpless Highlanders defenders before touching down in the corner.

It was a moment of sheer brilliance from the powerful winger who had limited opportunities in the opening half but certainly made his impact felt in a stunning second 40 minutes.

While Stannard failed to secure the conversion the ball was soon back in the West Aussies hands and another penalty goal from the pivot extend the lead to seven with just a minute to play.

There was to be no late lapse this time around, the Emirates Western Force holding onto the ball and celebrating a win fitting of the effort and hard work produced by the Perth side.

2011 Super Rugby – Week 16
Friday, 3 June 2011 at Carisbrook Stadium, Dunedin

Highlanders 14 (Tries: Ben Smith; Pen: Lima Sopoaga 3)
Emirates Western Force 21 (Tries: David Smith 2; Conv: James Stannard; Pen: Stannard 3)

By the clock
Min Details Score
12 James Stannard Penalty Goal 0 - 3
15 Lima Sopoaga Penalty Goal 3 - 3
17 Lima Sopoaga Penalty Goal 6 - 3
23 Ben Smith Try 11 - 3
24 Lima Sopoaga Missed Con 11 - 3
26 James Stannard Sin Bin 11 - 3
28 Lima Sopoaga Penalty Goal 14 - 3
43 Lima Sopoaga Missed PG 14 - 3
54 OFF: Ben McCalman / ON: Richard Brown
63 OFF: Nathan Charles / ON: Ben Whittaker
63 OFF: Alfie Mafi / ON: Nick Cummins
65 David Smith Try 14 - 8
66 James Stannard Conversion 14 - 10
66 OFF: Tim Fairbrother / ON: Matt Dunning
72 James Stannard Penalty Goal 14 - 13
74 David Smith Try 14 - 18
75 James Stannard Missed Con 14 - 18
79 James Stannard Penalty Goal 14 - 21

[Burgs]

Western Force comeback stuns Highlanders in Dunedin

Justin Chadwick From: AAP June 03, 2011

DAVID Smith scored a magical 55m runaway try as the Western Force came from behind to post a gutsy 21-14 Super Rugby victory over the Highlanders in Dunedin on Friday night.
The Force looked gone after entering the halftime break trailing 14-3 on enemy territory.

But Smith sparked a remarkable turnaround, scoring two tries in the second half as the Force piled on 18 unanswered points to break a four-game winless streak.

Although his first try in the 66th minute was important in getting the Force back in the game, it was his second five-pointer in the 74th minute that was the key moment.

After collecting the ball following a box kick from the Highlanders, Smith sprinted 55m, sliced through three defenders and brushed off a tackle from fullback Ben Smith before touching down in the corner.

The win was the first by an Australian side on New Zealand soil this season, ending a run of eight losses.

The Highlanders, wearing their new Kermit the Frog-coloured uniform to mark the final Super Rugby game at Carisbrook Stadium, were devastated after the final siren, knowing the loss all but ended their finals hopes.

The Force, already without several backline stars including James O'Connor and Brett Sheehan, suffered a major blow before the match when fullback Cameron Shepherd pulled out due to a hamstring injury.

The Force opened the scoring through a James Stannard penalty but the Highlanders took control from that point, with three penalties to Lima Sopoaga and a try to Ben Smith giving the Highlanders a comfortable 14-3 halftime lead.

It would have been even worse had it not been for the excellent defensive work of Smith, who bundled Adam Thomson over the touchline just as the Highlanders flanker appeared set to barge over for a try.

Force stand-in five-eighth James Stannard was sin-binned in the 26th minute for blatantly taking down Siale Piutau before the winger was about to receive a pass on the fast break.

The Force conceded just three points during Stannard's time on the bench, and the visitors' defensive mettle was again severely tested early in the second half as the Highlanders pushed hard for a second try.

And they should have had it in the 45th minute when No.8 Nasi Manu touched down after Piutau's pass rebounded off Matt Hodgson's head and into the try area.

But a knock-on was called against Piutau, robbing the Highlanders of five points, a conversion attempt and important momentum.

The Force seemed uplifted from the let-off and drew within four points in the 66th minute when Smith's try was converted by Stannard.

The visitors blew three golden chances to post another quick-fire try, but a Stannard penalty and then Smith's runaway try gave the Force a deserved victory in what has been a tough season

[zimeric]

ref missed a whole lot tonight....

first try wasnt a try as force player got under the ball as it was taken over.
yellow card was bull as stannard only grabbed the player after hed already fluffed the catch, last smith try wasnt a forward pass... missed Brownies falcon..Badger was impeded on the way to a certain try.... im sure there were more but anyway a win is a win and our boys stood tall in the second half.

most impressed with our scrum, the Landers front row are arguably the best in the comp and they were smashed off the ball all night!

but even

[SinBin]

Two man-match-performances for me. Matty Hodgson and Smith. Hodgson looked knackered late in the second half but kept pounding away in defense and great pick and drive. Smith - how good was his try and holding up their try - take a bow mate!

Chucky was awesome again, but Matty for work rate and Smith for heart and passion!

[James]

ref missed a whole lot tonight....

first try wasnt a try as force player got under the ball as it was taken over.
yellow card was bull as stannard only grabbed the player after hed already fluffed the catch, last smith try wasnt a forward pass... missed Brownies falcon..Badger was impeded on the way to a certain try.... im sure there were more but anyway a win is a win and our boys stood tall in the second half.

most impressed with our scrum, the Landers front row are arguably the best in the comp and they were smashed off the ball all night!

but even

I was kind of thinking around the 60 minute mark that the ref was a bit average (though the same about the Ben Smith try but would've liked to have seen more footage) after he gave a scrum for an unplayable ball to the Highlanders despite the fact they were backpedalling and Ben Whittaker took the ball into the maul. At 11 points down and 20 to go, I was hoping for the day when we put in the kind of performance where we literally played the ref out of the game. Didn't have to wait long. That was a fantastic effort from the Force- I really feel they've come along a lot in the last two games.

[qld supporter]

So proud of the team effort tonight, they got some tough calls but hung in there to the death. The Highlanders are a good physical unit and had their chances, but the team just refused to give in tonight. The Reds will be in a real contest next week , I can't wait.
Thanks to the Irish Heart and Guinness..........I feel a little concussed myself now Chucky.

[fulvio sammut]

Mark, your boy dun good!

[Batto]

The Kiwi commentary was shite, Justin Marshall sounded like a horse race commentator, nearly turned the sound off, was sick of his constant drivel, seemed to SHUT THE **** TOWARDS THE END THOUGH !!!

[slomo]

Great game... Same old first half, outstanding second... Smith, Hodgo and chucky deserve credit.... Was the highlanders first try grounded......

[Ecky]

Well that's a better way to play a match - for only the second time this season they actually looked like they could/would score some tries. Thank effing goodness!

Excellent game by almost all of the players. Smith looks really, really good with ball in hand and is obviously an excellent finisher, but he seems to me to be pretty selfish as well. I guess that, given his slow start to the season, he has gone looking for the ball a lot more.

Nice work lads; that's more like it

Now we can be potential spoilers for those seeking to play in the finals.

[qld supporter]

Thanks mate , chuckys happy to play his part we re all proud of him and the team they re good mates and deserve some success. Bring on the Reds.
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[bunter]

Good solid work by the K Bomb again tonight. Up against a big opponent but was certainly not overshadowed. well done mate.

[Burgs]

Ran +80 meters I think it was QS, huge match!

[Hoolly Doolly]

I was kind of thinking around the 60 minute mark that the ref was a bit average (though the same about the Ben Smith try but would've liked to have seen more footage) after he gave a scrum for an unplayable ball to the Highlanders despite the fact they were backpedalling and Ben Whittaker took the ball into the maul. At 11 points down and 20 to go, I was hoping for the day when we put in the kind of performance where we literally played the ref out of the game. Didn't have to wait long. That was a fantastic effort from the Force- I really feel they've come along a lot in the last two games.

I had issues with the highlanders 1st tackler not releasing and hanging on for dear life and other offences at the breakdown. on one occasion force were penalized for not releasing when manu clearly wasnt on his feet and had one knee resting on a force player on the ground. Force played well enough eventually to make the ref a zero factor.

Awesome seeing the Force pack smash the highlanders at the set piece and at the breakdown. This will be the key to beating the reds next week, who's set piece against the crusaders was terrible. Bam bam and hodgo will be licking their lips with no Robinson around to do the hard yards for the reds pack. How long before the australian media starts to take notice of Longbottom? He's clearly the form loosehead prop in australia atm!

Id probably like to see sheehan start next week with JOC and keep stannard at flyhalf. Swanny has done a great job but Sheehan will be a key to annoy the hell out of genia if our pack can be disruptive at the breakdown. When genia gets slow and untidy ball Quade Cooper usually sits a lot deeper at first receiver. His effectiveness is reduced if he doesnt receive quick delivery on the front foot.

Bring on da reds!!

[AndyS]

Ended the first half wondering why they seemed intent on doing the diametric opposite of last week, but thankfully someone seemed to have the same thought - bloody amazing what is possible when they stop kicking all the possession away! Even more gratifying to see them punish a couple of poor kicks. Some of that next week and it should be a cracker to watch.