The ACT Brumbies Super Rugby Next Gen side have gone down to the Western Force in Perth on Saturday afternoon, falling 32–19 in a gritty encounter defined by stifling conditions and late-game drama.
It was a sweltering afternoon in the west, with the kick-off pushed back to 4.50 PM as officials triggered heat management protocols. The visitors looked to strike early, pinning the home side deep in their own territory after a botched exit and launching a raid on the Force’s 22.
However, the Perth-based defence proved resilient; despite a line-out five meters from the white line, a collapsed maul saw the ball turned over, allowing the Westerners to clear the danger.
The deadlock was finally broken in the seventh minute when the Force ignited their backline.
After a series of testing chip-and-chase plays, winger Johan Bercroft found a seam in the Canberrans' defensive line and offloaded to skipper Luke Holt-Brown, who crossed for the opening points of the match.
Following the opening score, the match settled into a high-intensity back and forth battle.
Both sides traded possession and territory, with neither team able to gain a clear upper hand in the oppressive heat. This struggle continued for much of the first half as both teams searched for an opening, until the hosts finally scythed through the ACT sides defensive wall once more.
The Western Force made sure to capitalise on their momentum just before the interval.
In the 38th minute, following a string of scrum penalties that had the Brumbies under siege, the home team opted for the corner. The resulting rolling maul was clinical, allowing towering lock, William Crew to rumble over and extend the lead on the stroke of half-time.
The visitors emerged with renewed intent after the break, looking to hit straight up the middle. In the 52nd minute, the Brumbies secured a vital turnover when Jarvis Orr and Eli Langi successfully hunted the ball over Force scrum-half Luke Aiken. Chace Oates showed his vision, launching a long ball deep into the Force’s 22 to pin them five meters from their line. After two bruising rucks, the ball was swung to the left side of the pitch where a flying Angus Tagicakibau crossed for the Canberrans' first points of the afternoon.
The Brumbies continued to mount a comeback in the 60th minute. After another period of sustained pressure, Eli Langi showed his strength with a clinical pick and go, crashing through to keep the visitors in striking distance. With the conversion unsuccessful, both teams found themselves tied 12 points apiece.
As the match entered its final twenty minutes, discipline became a factor in the taxing conditions.
In the 70th minute, the referee signalled an advantage for offside against the visitors. The home side elected for the posts with fly-half Justin Landman stepping up and slotting the penalty, stretching the margin just wide.
It was the Brumbies that instigated a late stage surge, but their pursuit was hampered shortly after by a Force intercept. The ball was snatched out of the air by winger Ryan McGloin, who streaked away from halfway to score in the 75th minute. Conversion unsuccessful, the Force lead 20-12 over the visitors.
The Westerners continued their late-game surge in the 78th minute as a powerful march through the centre of the pitch put the Canberrans on the back foot, before inside centre Fatani Fatanitavake exploited a gap in the Brumbies defence to cross over.
The hosts then slammed the door shut in the final minute of regulation; after a Brumbies restart error, the Force recycled the ball quickly for Bercroft to find the line. Landman's conversion stretching the lead to 32–12.
Refusing to leave Perth without a final say, the young Brumbies launched one final volley in the 82nd minute. Jarvis Orr showed immense strength to shrug off his opposite number, taking the team within inches of the line.
After being held up in a frantic sequence, the visitors earned a penalty and elected for a scrum right underneath the posts at the 83rd minute. Chace Oates provided the magic touch, drawing the defence before flicking a sharp inside ball to Tagicakibau, who crashed over for his second of the afternoon. Oates added the extras on the buzzer to finalise the scoreline.
WESTERN FORCE NEXT GEN 32
Tries: Luke Holt-Brown, William Crew, Ryan McGloin, Fatani Fatanitavake, Johan Bercroft
Conversions: Justin Landman (2)
Penalties: Justin Landman
ACT BRUMBIES NEXT GEN 19
Tries: Angus Tagicakibau (2), Eli Langi
Conversions: Chace Oates (2)
