The NSW Waratahs pulled off a thrilling extra-time victory over the Western Force in Perth, clinching a 22–17 win in their Round 15 Super Rugby Pacific clash that under torrential rain went down to the wire in a gripping Super Point decider.
Trailing 17–14 at the break, the NSW Waratahs returned for the second half with renewed intent, eventually levelling the scores and sending the match into golden-point territory after eighty minutes of ferocious contest at HBF Park.
The second stanza was a seesawing affair, with both sides creating chances but failing to land the knockout blow in regulation time.
A yellow card to Force forward Tiaan Tauakipulu in the 73rd minute proved a pivotal moment, as NSW playmaker Jack Bowen calmly slotted a penalty goal soon after to square the ledger.
With the scores locked at 17-all, the NSW Waratahs missed two late chances to seal the match in normal time — Bowen’s drop goal attempt in the 87th minute falling short, followed by his missed penalty a minute later.
Western Force back Kurtley Beale also sent a long-range shot wide in the 81st, keeping the home crowd on edge. Extra time brought even higher drama and intense pressure.
In the 89th minute, a slick backline movement from the NSW Waratahs — orchestrated by Bowen and executed with clinical precision — culminated in winger Darby Lancaster diving over in the corner for the match-winning try.
Bowen’s earlier involvement and sharp decision-making under pressure earned praise, capping off a composed performance off the bench.
The NSW Waratahs’ bench proved instrumental throughout the second half, one of the feature players being flanker Jamie Adamson who made a number of incisive runs.
It was a game marked by resilience and resolve. The NSW Waratahs weathered a strong start by the Western Force and overcame the disruption of a yellow card to tighthead prop Taniela Tupou in the 44th minute.
In the end, the depth, belief, and a touch of class by the NSW Waratahs proved the difference.
The 22–17 win, also the NSW Waratahs' first away win for the season, keeps their finals hopes alive.
A loss would have ended their hopes, but now they can focus on the crucial Round 16 game in Auckland next week as the gateway to the sixth place on the ladder that they need for a finals berth.
“What was it, 90 minutes? It could have gone either way there. In the end I thought we were really calm,” NSW Waratahs Head Coach Dan McKellar said with wry smile.
“In that five-minute break there, certainly that was the messaging that I was getting from Tom Carter.
"I thought Teddy Wilson and Jack Bowen really stood up and guided us around the park.
"A little line break from Jamie Adamson which put us in the right area of the field.
"And Darby once again showed that he’s got some pretty special finishing qualities.”
The NSW Waratahs showed attacking promise in a fiercely contested first half against the Western Force, trailing 17-14 at the break in a fast-paced and physical encounter.
The NSW Waratahs came out firing, making an immediate impact with winger Reilly intercepting a pass in the opening minutes and scoring under the posts.
With flyhalf Tane Edmed adding the extras, NSW took an early lead with the score at 0-7.
The pressure continued to mount on the home side, with Western Force No. 7 Carlo Tizzano crashing over from close range shortly after.
Force Flyhalf Ben Donaldson missed the conversion to still assure the NSW Waratahs a promising advantage with the score at 5-12 in their favour in the opening 15 minutes.
The attacking momentum continued as flanker Hugh Sinclair and Lancaster combined brilliantly, bursting through the Force defence to set up a sweeping team try.
Lancaster finished the move with a clinical grounding, and Edmed’s successful conversion extended the NSW Waratahs' lead to leave the score at 5-14.
The Western Force responded strongly in the final quarter of the half, capitalising on a series of line breaks and slick handling.
Fullback Mac Grealy opened their account in the 32nd minute to be 10-14 down. Donaldson’s conversion attempt struck the upright, but it marked a shift in momentum.
Inside centre Hamish Stewart added a third try shortly for the Force before the break to put them 15-14 up, and then 17-14 up with Donaldson’s successful conversion.
Tries: Triston Reilly, Darby Lancaster (2)
Conversions: Tane Edmed (2)
Penalties: Jack Bowen
Tries: Carlo Tizzano, Mac Grealy, Hamish Stewart
Conversions: Ben Donaldson
