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Force stage comeback to beat Brumbies
Force stage comeback to beat Brumbies
The Emirates Western Force staged a tremendous fightback in overcoming a 22 point deficit to beat the Brumbies 29-22 at Subiaco Oval in Perth.
Lead by inspirational flyhalf Matt Giteau, the WA side looked shell-shocked in the first 30 minutes, but hit back with four tries to reward the loyal crowd of 21,350 with a memorable victory.
The Brumbies burst out of the blocks, with Francis Fainifo scoring twice while Mark Gerrard and Adam Ashley-Cooper also crossed to open up a 22-0 lead after just 27 minutes.
Seventeen year old James O’Connor scored the first try of his Super Rugby career to put the Emirates Western Force on the score board to cut the gap to 22-7 at half time.
The home team came out with a different attitude after the half time break, and Josh Tatupu made the hard work pay off when he crossed in the 46th minute. The try was also Tatupu’s first at this level.
Giteau lifted the team spirits even further, scoring a wonderful individual try under the posts. His conversion from right in front made the score 22-19.
Chris O’Young’s try in the 59th minute, and Giteau’s successful conversion, gave the Emirates Western Force the lead for the first time.
Giteau added a penalty goal in the 64th minute to give his side a 29-22 lead, which they held on to until the full time whistle.