WOOHOO WE WON!!!!

[James]

What a turn around! 29 unanswered points and keeping the opposition scoreless for like 60 minutes! I wish I was at Subi Oval now and not stuck looking at internet updates .

Well done .

Woohoo.

[gotheforce]

Amazing end to the season. So proud of the lads.

[Ecky]

Having driven 880km today, I didn't get back to Perth in time to take my place in our corporate box, so I turned on Foxtel when I got home. 22-0.

As soon as I started watching.......

You can all thank me in whatever way you wish

[.X.]

From Foxsports.com.au


Force make incredible comeback


May 16, 2008

BRUMBIES coach Laurie Fisher has been given a Super 14 send-off he will want to forget, seeing his side surrender a 22-point lead to eventually lose 29-22 to a fast-finishing Western Force at Subiaco Oval.

In a first half which affirmed Fisher's hopes of bright Brumbies future without him, the visitors had a bonus point before the Force had their first point, with four tries to Francis Fainifo, Mark Gerrard and Adam Ashley-Cooper in the first 25 minutes.

But after teenager James O'Connor's first try in Super 14 just before half time, the Force produced one of the more remarkable comebacks of the season, swallowing up the lead with tries to Josh Tatupu, Matt Giteau and Chris O'Young.

Giteau's penalty stretched the lead out to seven and, after it had looked a certainty they would be beaten by all three Australian sides, the Force finish the year as the second best Australian side - sending Fisher into the job market with his 20th loss as a head coach.

The injuries which plagued the Force's season hit them again on the last day of the season, with Drew Mitchell's ankle injury ruling him out not only of this game, but almost certainly the early Tests against Ireland and France.

Brumbies skipper Stirling Mortlock showed no sympathy, smashing into O'Connor with his first carry and celebrating moments later as Christian Leiliifano's chip bounced up perfectly for Fainifo to amble over inside two minutes.

With the Force defence in disarray, the next Brumbies possession was again too easily capitalised on four minutes later, with George Smith's pass avoiding the Force defenders and finding Gerrard unopposed.

On 19 minutes, Mortlock's quick hands out of the tackle fed Fainifo for his second and, with Brumbies hands slick and Force fans sick, the bonus point was wrapped up five minutes later, static Force defence exploited by another Smith pass to Ashley-Cooper.

Only Mortlock's three missed conversions spared the Force complete embarrassment, before the 22-point lead was cut by O'Connor's dancing feet on 33 minutes.

It seemed the teenager's first Super 14 try could only be a consolation - until giving the Sevens specialist more room at first receiver sparked the Force's own double whammy within ten minutes of the second half starting.

First O'Connor's loop opened up space for Giteau and Haig Sare to send Tatupu galloping over.

Then Giteau reminded the Brumbies what they were missing, with a brilliant step to send him cantering over.

Mark Chisholm's running riposte was brutally ended by a Cameron Shepherd tackle, and when Gerrard's up-and-down night took a dreadful turn with a goal line fumble, Force's patience paid off when O'Young burrowed over to snatch the lead.

With both sides scoring four tries, Giteau's penalty was a moment of sanity in an increasingly crazy night, leaving the Force with their first ever win over the Brumbies and one spot ahead of them on the Super 14 ladder.

Mortlock summed up the night neatly.

"It was a tale of two halves mate, and you cannot explain it. We went out with real intent to execute and we certainly did that in the first half," Mortlock said.

"The Force guys sneaked one before half time, got back in the game ... and they were too good in the end."

Force skipper Nathan Sharpe despite the dreadful start, his side still believed they were a chance.

"29 unanswered points against the Brumbies is no mean feat at all - this team can attack when it wants to," Sharpe said.

"It is a credit to the boys to come out after half time and switch that around, there a lot of young guys so to be able to make a transition like that within a game is a bloody big effort."

S14 Full Time (Round 14, Game 2)
Western Force 29 (7)
Tries
James O'Connor
Josh Tatupu
Matt Giteau
Chris O'Young

Goals
Matt Giteau (1pg 3c)

Brumbies 22 (22)
Tries
Francis Fainifo (2)
Mark Gerrard
Adam A-Cooper

Goals
Stirling Mortlock (1c)


AAP

[pieter blackie]

Supporting the is not good for my health but it is worth every agonizing moment

[James]

I like to think of the Force being like bacon. Very, very bad for the heart but its just sooooo good.

[.X.]

Article from Rugby.com.au

May 16, 2008 - 11:20pm
Story by: Sportal

The Western Force will finish the Super 14 season as the second best Australian team after beating the Brumbies 29-22 in a thriller at Subiaco Oval on Friday night.

It was an attacking and entertaining affair with both teams scoring four tries and each having control of play for significant periods, but the Force's 29 straight points saw them beat the Brumbies' 22 straight.

Laurie Fisher's 50th and final game as Brumbies coach got off to a dream start when his side raced to a 22-0 lead after four tries in the first 26 minutes, but it quickly turned sour when the Force scored four tries themselves either side of half-time.

Francis Fainifo (two), Mark Gerrard and Adam Ashley-Cooper all crossed for early tries for the Brumbies on the back of tremendous work from Christian Lealiifano, Stirling Mortlock and George Smith.

Mortlock was only able to convert one of them, though, and that would prove crucial.

The Force didn't score for 32 minutes before 17-year-old James O'Connor got them on the board before half-time. After the break, Troy Takiari, Giteau and Chris O'Young added tries, and Giteau a penalty, to put the Force up 29-22 with 16 minutes to go.

The first try of the game came inside two minutes when Fainifo got the first of his career after he got on the end of a very clever chip kick from Lealiifano and then the Brumbies left wing strolled through the Force defence.

The Brumbies continued to surge with Gerrard crossing for another try inside six minutes. Lealiifano again set it up with a terrific ball to George Smith, who got it to Gerrard who then had no problem finding the line.

With 18 minutes gone, the Brumbies crossed yet again and after not having any tries in his career coming into the game, suddenly Fainifo had two. This time it was after a good pass from scrumhalf Patrick Phibbs to Mortlock, who showed great hands to get it on to Fainifo.

The Brumbies didn't stop there either and when Ashley-Cooper scored a try at the 26-minute mark they had the four-try bonus point in the quickest time of any team this season. Ashley-Cooper got in after another superb pass from Smith to put the Brumbies up 22-0.

The Force eventually stopped kicking too early and giving the Brumbies the ball straight back and it began to pay off. The increased possession led to O'Connor crossing for his first try after O'Young set him up nicely. Giteau made the conversion to see the Force trail by 15 at half-time.

The Force made it two tries in a row just five minutes into the second half when Tatupu crossed after some tremendous lead-up play by O'Connor, Giteau and Haig Sare.

Three minutes later and the Force were right back in the contest when Giteau turned it on to score a try and when he converted, the margin was just three. Giteau's step was simply too much for the Brumbies defence and he strolled through to the try line.

Just short of 60 minutes in and Gerrard made a terrible mistake when he didn't take the scrumhalf pass cleanly, was chased down by Matt Hodgson and from the turnover, O'Young crossed for a try.

Giteau made the conversion and the Force led 26-22 to hit the front for the first time. He then also converted a penalty to give the Force the match-winning lead of 29-22.

Western Force 29
Tries: O'Connor 1, Tatupu 1, Giteau 1, O'Young 1
Conversions: Giteau 3
Penalties: Giteau 1

ACT Brumbies 22
Tries: Fainifo 2, Gerrard 1, Ashley Cooper 1
Conversions: Mortlock 1
@Subiaco Oval, Perth; 16/05/08. Crowd: 21,350
Chris Pike, Sportal

[Jehna]

Haha yeah agreed Good come back by the boys though. It was almost like we didn't turn up for the first 30 minutes! I thought O'Connor was on fire and the forwards did a good job

[NTT]

what an incredible game of rugby. very memorable

try of the night : josh tatupu
great wrap around flowing movement by o'connor, fed giteau who deftly put tatupu over in the corner

how good is james o'connor going to be. i mean seriously hes the definition of unlimited potential

[lozenga]

i love you force!
xoxoxo

[Burgs]

Great to see some ticker by all, it would have been easy to jsut see the match out in damage control.
For the first thirty the Brumbies just viewed the Force with contempt and bullied them around the park.
Certainly amongst our best three or four wins for mine.

[Burgs]

Get a good feel for the match reading through this weeks Rugby WA ticker tape account.
Go to the bottom of this post and read up:

FULL TIME: Force 29 Brumbies 22. The season finishes on a high for the boys in blue, who were down 22-0 after 20 mins. Amazing game, what a turn around. Great comeback from the Force, with another man of the Match performance from Giteau, who scored one try, while O'Connor, Tatupu and O'Young also crossed. See you bigger and better in 2009!

crowd of 21,350 tonight. Less than a minute to go now - full time! Force win!

Toomua on for Tyrone Smith 76 mins

Tatupu making good yards again down the left side, pushing the defenders away before going into touch

Taumoepeau on for Fainifo after 68 mins

64th min and a penalty for a high shot on Gits. It's 10m out straight in front, so he'll kick for goal - with success! Force 29 Brumbies 22

Salesi Mafu on for Shepherdson after 62 mins. Holmes on for Phibbs now too

Kimlin and Salvi on for Campbell and Chapman 59 mins

58th min and a fourth try to the Force! Chris O'Young darts over from the base of a ruck after some excellent defensive pressure forced the Brumbies back and eventually caused a turnover. Gits converts, Force lead 26-22 now

Faingaa on for Ulugia after 49 mins. Longbottom back from the blood bin, Takiari off again.

the game has COMPLETELY opened up now! End to end stuff as Shepherd puts a massive hit on Chisholm. BOOM goes the dynamite in that tackle!

Game on now! Gits crosses for the third try in the 49th min after stepping through Brumbies defence. Gits converts, back to 22-19

46th min, Force hard on the attck; TMO set to rule on Josh Tatupu's put down in the left corner... try! First Super Rugby try to Josh, good on him. Gits conversion hits the upright and bounces back, 22-12 now.

45th min - Sam Wykes on for Dave Pusey

44th min - Longbottom off to the blood bin, Takiari returns

We're away now; no changes at the break

HALF TIME: Brumbies 22 Force 7.

"New sensation" by INXS playing as O'Connor walks back after scoring. Very clever...

33rd min and a reply from the Force, as James O'Connor strolls over from 5m out after a series of rucks inside the Brumbies 22. Gits converts, 22-7 now.

now Nathan Sharpe is down for an extended period, as the doctors look at his right knee. He's up, thank goodness. Force on attack now

27th min and a fourth try to the Brumbies is scored by Adam Ashley-Cooper. Mortlock can't convert, 22-0.

25th min and Longbottom on for Takiari

19th min and referee Pearce has gone upstairs to mask TMO Geoff Acton to adjudicate on Fainifo's try - sure enough, it's ruled a try! Mortlock hooks the conversion attempt, but it's 17-0 after 20 mins

but no good, as Gits is pinged for holding on

Force get a penalty within range, but decide to go for touch instead - good to see

shocking start from the home side

6th min and a second try to the Brumbies! Mark Gerrard in the right corner this time, after a nice pass from George Smith. Mortlock can't convert, Brumbies lead 12-0 already

Second minute and a try to the Brumbies scored by Francis Fainifo after a chip over the top from Christian Lealiifano. Mortlock converts, Brumbies lead 7-0.

not a good sign - the Force flag is upside down as the teams run out. Referee tonight is debutant Nathan Pearce, Giteau to kick off, and we're away

10 mins to kick off here in Perth. Aranmore has won the Welborn Cup, comfortably defeating Kolbe in the Final in tonight's curtain raiser

Drew Mitchell has been ruled out. Haig Sare will start on the wing, with Junior Pelesasa coming on to the bench in jersey 22

Emirates Western Force v Brumbies, Subiaco Oval, Friday 16 May, kick off 7.05pm WA Time.

[BLR]

TUTAAAPUUUUUUUUUUUUUU

That is all..I think I saw Jargs at JB's when I was in my business clothes before 5 but after the game when the fun should be on there was nothing!

[chook]

Freakin' Gerrard, what an @$$clown! See, I was right to name him anathema.

Good on ya Force!!! Me ol' Dad would have loved that game (he was at his first Force game at Subi last night).

Someone mentioned ticker, and the Force showed plenty of that.

[GIGS20]

Thanks for maintaining Ezra's unbeaten record! He's now 5 from 5 with games attended and won! I'm running out of excuses to not buy him a membership aren't I?

As for the boys, I dunno who told them to stop kicking the ball back to the Brums, but give that man a beer. We weren't in the first 30 because we didn't want the ball. Rugby's a simple game, you have to want the ball better than the other bloke. Our candidates sure stood up, Git's has won the 5/8th battle hands down, nobody comes close. Shep proved himself the fullback of choice last night, Better kicking, more incisive running and that shot!!!!! I'm printing out a copy of that image and pasting it on Ezzy's wall I want him to tackle like that! Chisolm needs to go find somewhere to hide before the tests!