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After six attempts, Western forces restored HBF Park to an impressive place to visit from both sides. En route to a 48-10 bonus point win over Fijian Drua.
The win was the West Australian franchise’s second biggest win at home, just short of their 55-14 win over the Lions in 2009, and their eighth win in their last 11 home games.
Flyhalf Ben Donaldson scored 23 points with a perfect kick and finished with the final try in the 77th minute. The match was watched in front of new Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt, who had spent a week with the Force.
The Force last participated in a Super Rugby Pacific match at HBF Park on Saturday night but defeat effectively ended their finals hopes.
But star performances from former Wallaby Kurtley Beale, Hamish Stewart and Donaldson helped the Force secure their third win of the season, lifting them up to ninth in the standings and just two points adrift of finals contention.
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Force coach Simon Cron said: “Results aside, this was the boys’ best performance of the year.”
“We played some great rugby on both sides of the ball. I thought the players really improved.
“Donaldson’s kicking is great, but his run and passing game are also great. He’s a triple threat.”
The hosts led from the first minute, with Chase Tiatia scoring a touchdown with just 54 seconds remaining.
Back-rower Carlo Tizzano extended the lead and before a penalty goal to Donaldson, the Force were up 17-0 after the first 20 minutes.
Drua responded with a penalty goal to put them behind at half-time with two converted attempts, before winger Selestino Ravutaumada reduced the margin to seven points with an acrobatic dive from a corner in the 45th minute.
A yellow card to Nic White in the 51st minute put further pressure on the Force, and the Fijians almost had another try a minute later, but winger Taniela Rakuro fumbled the ball off the dribble.
It proved to be a key moment in the match as the Force flew home to score four tries in the final 30 minutes, with Michael Wells, Lopeti Faifua, Bayley Kuenzle and Donaldson scoring.
This match was also meaningful as it marked the return of Harry Huppert, who played his first Super Rugby match in 708 days.
Fiji Drua coach Mick Byrne will rue another opportunity to shatter his terrible record on the road.
Drua struggled to match the Force in a physical battle, and a slow start came after allowing the Brumbies to score two quick tries during last week’s defeat in Canberra.
“We’ve made it difficult for ourselves now,” Drua hooker Tevita Ikanivere admitted after the game.
“We have to work hard now to get into the top eight. We need to look in the mirror and ask ourselves if we still want it.
“The scoreboard speaks for itself.”
The loss would also see Drua cling to final position and will face the Melbourne Rebels in round 15 after facing teams who have returned to form in the Queensland Reds and Highlanders despite missing two of their final three weeks at home.
The Force will also enjoy two of their final three games at home, staying in Perth next week to face the struggling Waratahs before completing the season with games against the Reds (away) and Brumbies (home).
with AAP
