Six Nations: Champions stumble to home defeat in opening round

Marcel Brache of the Force is tackled during the round one Super Rugby match between the Waratahs and the Force. Photo / Getty Images

NSW Waratahs made a rocky start to their Super Rugby title defence, being beaten by Western Force at Allianz Stadium in Sydney yesterday.

It was the first time in 10 seasons the Force have won their opening round game and they were good value for their victory.

The Force scored four tries to two and defended resolutely against an error-prone Waratahs side that showed little of the quality that carried them to the title last year.

It is the Waratahs' first loss in 10 games following an unbeaten run since April 2014.

It means the away team has won all six opening round games for the 2015 season.

The Force's shock victory was achieved despite losing Wallabies prop Pek Cowan when he was taken off on a medicab with his head and neck stabilised after a collapsed scrum, midway through the first half.

The Force clinched the win with two tries in the final quarter to winger Luke Morahan and Cowan's replacement, Francois van Wyk.

A 68th minute cross-field kick from halfback Alby Mathewson found Morahan in space, and though he slipped over, the winger had time to regain his footing and collect the ball and score.

The win was sealed five minutes later when van Wyk caught an attempted chip and chase kick from Kurtley Beale inside the Waratahs' 22.

Waratahs winger Rob Horne narrowed the gap with his second try with less than four minutes to go.

His first well finished try, in limited space in the 54th minute, came just seconds after Mathewson had been sin-binned.

The Force also made the running in the first half, which ended with the visitors holding an 8-3 lead.

Former Waratahs flanker Chris Alcock crashed over from a rolling maul for the only try of the half, after Wycliff Palu had been sin-binned.

Fellow flanker Angus Cottrell smashed through attempted tackles from Dave Dennis and Wycliff Palu in the 46th minute.

Horne's first try gave the Tahs brief hope, but their inability to sustain pressure meant they were no match for a more disciplined Force.

Waratahs 13
Force 25

- AAP