Rugby: Force and Brumbies draw in Perth

Nick Cummins of the Force attempts to break from a tackle by Colby Faingaa and Adam Ashley Cooper. Photo / Getty Images

Force 13
Brumbies 13

Super 15 also-rans the Western Force and ACT Brumbies finished 13-13 on Saturday.

Both rugby teams were out of contention for the playoffs, but neither managed to change their respective 12th and 13th positions on the table.

The Force had more to grieve about the result, as the home side enjoyed an edge in possession and territory.

Twice in the second half, their Wallabies star James O'Connor came up short on penalty attempts, including one from inside his own half in injury time. O'Connor also squandered the only try opportunity in the second half, when he lost control of the ball over the line with a defender on his back and another defender's boot in his face.

"We're disappointed," said captain Nathan Sharpe, who was playing his 50th Super match for the Force, and 144th overall.

"We came here with an attacking mindset and put ourselves in good position and with controlled pressure we'd have got there. But credit to the Brumbies, they held strong and we let them off with mistakes."

The Brumbies were happiest after a public roasting from coach Tony Rea following their defeat to the last-place Lions last weekend, when he called his team a "mob without any fight."

"What Tony talked about, our attitude really showed tonight," Brumbies first five-eighths Matt Giteau said. "We fought hard and got a draw. That result is pretty good for us."

However, the Brumbies haven't won their last five matches, and neither have they won any of their five matches against their fellow Australian sides.

After only three minutes, Brumbies fullback Pat McCabe hit a gap at pace and drew the last man to give winger Henry Speight a free run to the line. But Force lock Sam Wykes, who began an attack with a nifty run, finished it taking a lob pass on the right wing to score a converted try to level. Force prop Pek Cowan left the field with a fractured cheekbone.

Giteau and O'Connor then traded penalties in each half. In the second, O'Connor was short from about 48 meters, and his last shot in injury time was from about 52 meters and fell at least 5 short of the posts.

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Western Force 13 (Sam Wykes try; James O'Connor 2 penalties, conversion),
Super 15 also-rans the Western Force and ACT Brumbies finished 13-13 on Saturday.

Both rugby teams were out of contention for the playoffs, but neither managed to change their respective 12th and 13th positions on the table.

The Force had more to grieve about the result, as the home side enjoyed an edge in possession and territory.

Twice in the second half, their Wallabies star James O'Connor came up short on penalty attempts, including one from inside his own half in injury time. O'Connor also squandered the only try opportunity in the second half, when he lost control of the ball over the line with a defender on his back and another defender's boot in his face.

"We're disappointed," said captain Nathan Sharpe, who was playing his 50th Super match for the Force, and 144th overall.

"We came here with an attacking mindset and put ourselves in good position and with controlled pressure we'd have got there. But credit to the Brumbies, they held strong and we let them off with mistakes."

The Brumbies were happiest after a public roasting from coach Tony Rea following their defeat to the last-place Lions last weekend, when he called his team a "mob without any fight."

"What Tony talked about, our attitude really showed tonight," Brumbies first five-eighths Matt Giteau said. "We fought hard and got a draw. That result is pretty good for us."

However, the Brumbies haven't won their last five matches, and neither have they won any of their five matches against their fellow Australian sides.

After only three minutes, Brumbies fullback Pat McCabe hit a gap at pace and drew the last man to give winger Henry Speight a free run to the line. But Force lock Sam Wykes, who began an attack with a nifty run, finished it taking a lob pass on the right wing to score a converted try to level. Force prop Pek Cowan left the field with a fractured cheekbone.

Giteau and O'Connor then traded penalties in each half. In the second, O'Connor was short from about 48 meters, and his last shot in injury time was from about 52 meters and fell at least 5 short of the posts.



Western Force 13 (Sam Wykes try; James O'Connor 2 penalties, conversion), ACT 13 (Henry Speight try; Matt Giteau 2 penalties, conversion). HT: 10-10.

(Henry Speight try; Matt Giteau 2 penalties, conversion). HT: 10-10.

-AP