An Historic Triumph for the Team: Force Breaks 5060-Day Drought with Astonishing Upset

In a remarkable turn of events, the Western Force has achieved one of the most significant upsets in their club history, defeating the ACT Brumbies 45-42 in Canberra.

The Force established a commanding 28-7 lead just 32 minutes into the match, but the Brumbies mounted a comeback and were ahead by the 75-minute mark in this thrilling Super Rugby Pacific encounter.

Despite being reduced to just 13 players, with forwards Jeremy Williams and Nick Champion de Crespigny in the sin bin, the Force discovered a way to secure victory as hooker Brandon Paenga-Amosa powered over for the decisive try.

It had been 5060 days—since 2011—since the Force last triumphed over the Brumbies in the capital.

“This is one of the great victories in the history of this team,” Morgan Turinui commented on Stan Sport.

With this win, the Force are now sitting at 2-0, while the Brumbies hold a record of 1-1.

The Force were dealt four yellow cards throughout the game.

“I’m just thrilled for the boys,” Force acting captain Nic White expressed on Stan Sport.

“It was a tough battle. Hats off to the lads; we adhered to our game plan.”

NEW PODCAST! The team returns to thoroughly discuss potential candidates to succeed Joe Schmidt as the Wallabies coach

“I understand how challenging it is to come here and secure a win, so this feels incredibly special.”

Wallabies winger Dylan Pietsch scored two tries for the Force, while the agile No.8 Charlie Cale notched a brace for the Brumbies.

Brumbies captain Allan Alaalatoa reflected on his team’s sluggish start.

“We always had faith that we could make a comeback, but starting the match like that isn’t acceptable,” Alaalatoa noted on Stan Sport.

“There were key areas off the ball where we faltered early on, and the Western Force capitalised on it brilliantly, so they deserve all the credit.”

This victory also snapped the Force’s 15-match winless streak away from home, a drought that dated back to 2022.

Western Force 45 (Tries: Pietsch 2, Dolly, Potter, Tizzano, Paenga-Amosa; Conversions: Donaldson 5, Burey; Penalties: Donaldson) defeated ACT Brumbies 42 (Tries: Cale 2, Muirhead, Meredith, Toole, Saumaisue; Conversions: R. Lonergan 6)