RECAP: The Western Force have hung on for a 20-17 win over the NSW Waratahs in Sydney.
Winger Dylan Pietsch was the star of the show in a torrid affair, scoring twice to give the visitors a 10 point lead.
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The Waratahs had a chance late to snatch a winner when Folau Fainga'a dived on from close.
But the Force defence held strong for a critical victory to keep their finals hopes alive.
It makes it three wins from their last four as the Waratahs now face a tough away trip to Dunedin.
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Force 20-17: The Force survive some nervous moments and come away with the win.
The Waratahs get inside their 22 but an errard leg knocks the ball out of Teddy Wilson's hands and the Force scramble onto the ball to cliam the win.
Force 20-17: The Waratahs will get the chance to strike late after winning a scrum penalty.
They kick to the edge of halfway and will get the chance to launch, getting inside the Force's half and close to the 22.
Force 20-17: The Waratahs finally get inside the 22 and salute through Folau Fainga'a.
A great break from Teddy Wilson gives them live, with the hooker diving over to set up a late finish.
Force 20-10: Ben Donaldson decides it's time for three as the Force take a ten point lead.
It comes after spending copious time inside the Waratahs 22, pushing the lead past a converted try.
Force 17-10: Harry Johnson-Holmes is convinced he has scored but is held up over the line.
It continues the Force's dominance over field position, with territory at 85% for the half.
Force 17-10: The Force are all over the Waratahs as they look for the crucial blow.
The Waratahs hang on for now and eventually hold the Force over the line after a five metre maul.
Both Zac Lomax and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii have been replaced.
Force 17-10: Lovely movement from the Force sees them break open the Waratahs again through Mac Grealy.
Grealy finds Zac Lomax, who can't make the one-handed offload stick.
Force 17-10: Dylan Pietsch makes it two after another beauty of a break from Ben Donaldson splits the Waratahs apart.
Donaldson finds George Bridge, who has Zac Lomax on his outside, but burns him. The Force somehow retains the ball, and Mac Grealy throws a wonder of an offload to Pietsch to score his second.
10-all: The Force have been the better side but can't find their way through the defence, with territory close to 65% their way.
A costly mistake from Ben Donaldson sees the flyhalf miss touch and hands the Waratahs the scrum 30 metres from their line.
10-all: The Waratahs have done very well to keep Zac Lomax out of the game aerial.
There have been at least four bombs targeting the Waratahs that have shut down.
The Waratahs are camped inside their half but keep coming up with the turnover.
10-all: A critical strike back for the Force as Dylan Pietsch drives his legs for the try.
The winger sneaks in from his edge and drives through the contract and a pair of defenders to tie it up.
Waratahs 10-3: Sid Harvey nails the three-pointer to extend the lead to seven.
The kick from a tick over 40 metres from right in front
Waratahs 7-3: Finally, the Waratahs have the first try of this game through flyhalf Lawson Creighton.
It comes after several minutes on the Force line, with Creighton stepping past his man and finding the line with a spin move.
Force 3-0: An adventurous play from the Waratahs sparks the fans as they spread from side-to-side.
Andrew Kellaway puts in the chip and chase, only for the Force to recover for now as the Waratahs re-gain the ball off the mistake.
They were working under advantage and try again, with Joey Walton taken down close to the line high, leading to another penalty.
Force 3-0: The Force keep pressing the line as Ben Donaldson and Mac Grealy combine for a great break.
Donaldson puts Grealy through the hole, with the Waratahs scramble to force the error.
Force 3-0: The visitors are definitely making more metres early as they launch inside the 22.
Half breaks from Mac Grealy and Henry Robertson has the 'Tahs in trouble, let off the hook thanks to a loose offload and an incorrect entry penalty.
They go back on the attack and a nice clearing kick from Jake Gordon flips the field.
Force 3-0: A timely ruck turnover for Brandon Paenga-Amosa holds the Waratahs out and stops the instant response.
The hosts turn down three and hunt for the line, with the hooker getting over the ball 10 metres out.
Force 3-0: Ben Donaldson adds a routine three-pointer to open the scores for this match.
Charlie Gamble is pinged for offside at the ruck as he tries for the turnover, giving the flyhalf the chance to slot the penalty from basically right in front, 30 metres out.
The Force work their way inside the Waratahs' 22 after a penalty for offside against Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii.
But Suaalii makes a good leg tackle on Zac Lomax, allowing Andrew Kellaway to rip the ball clean and force the error 10 metres out.
The Waratahs clear their line shortly afterwards after a scrum free kick.
Lawson Creighton has the ball in hand, and this game is underway!
Hamish Stewart leads out the Force in his 50th game for the club as Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii flies high and nabs the kick-off.
He shortly afterwards throws a loose pass that invites pressure as the Waratahs make it to close to the Force's 22 but it goes into touch.
Tries: Creighton, Fainga'a
Cons: Harvey 2/2
Pens: Harvey 1/1
Tries: Pietsch 2
Cons: Donaldson 2/2
Pens: Donaldson 2/2
Welcome to Rugby.com.au's coverage of the NSW Waratahs-Western Force contest in Sydney and we have a late change for the visitors.
Vaiolini Ekuasi is out, forcing a shuffle of the forward pack that sees Lopeti Faifua come onto the bench, Franco Molina start in the second-row, Jeremy Williams to blindside flanker and Nick Champion de Crespigny to number eight.
No changes for the Waratahs, with Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii set for his return from injury.
WARATAHS (1-15): Tom Lambert, Ethan Dobbins, Siosifa Amone, Matt Philip (c), Angus Blyth, Angus Scott-Young, Charlie Gamble, Pete Samu, Jake Gordon, Lawson Creighton, Sid Harvey, Joey Walton, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Andrew Kellaway, Max Jorgensen
Replacements: Folau Fainga'a, Isaac Kailea, Apolosi Ranawai, Miles Amatosero, Jamie Adamson, Teddy Wilson, Jack Debreczeni, Triston Reilly
FORCE (1-15): Tom Robertson, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Misinale Epenisa, Franco Molina, Darcy Swain, Jeremy Williams (c), Carlo Tizzano, Nick Champion de Crespigny, Henry Robertson, Ben Donaldson, Dylan Pietsch, Hamish Stewart, George Bridge, Zac Lomax, Mac Grealy
Replacements: Nic Dolly, Sef Fa’agase, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Lopeni Faifua, Will Harris, Nathan Hastie, Bayley Kuenzle, Kurtley Beale
Referee: Angus Gardner
Assistant Referees: George Myers, Matt Kellahan
TMO: James Leckie
The Waratahs' clash with the Force will be shown LIVE on Stan Sport.
Coverage will be live and ad-free on Stan Sport, slated to start at 7:00 pm with kickoff expected at 7:35 pm.
