Chiefs (NZ)

Emirates Western Force

Emirates Western Force coach John Mitchell's post-match comments

The Emirates Western Force were ultimately disappointing in losing 26-9 to a resurgent Waikato Chiefs at Subiaco Oval, Perth, on Friday night, after a promising start.

The Force opened strongly with aggressive tackling and effective lineouts but fundamental errors saw them hand the game to the Chiefs who ran in three tries on the back of a weight of possession.

The Force started like they meant business, making their first up tackles solidly until the Chiefs turned over possession and conceded a penalty for not rolling away from the tackle. Wing Cameron Shepherd converted a superb long range penalty to draw first blood, 3-0, after three minutes play.

A ruck penalty in midfield from the Chiefs saw Shepherd land a second penalty in as many minutes and give the Force a 6-0 lead.

A missed lineout kick proved costly after ten minutes when the Force forwards collapsed a driving maul over the 22 midfield, and Chiefs flyhalf Stephen Donald slotted the sitter.

Turnovers and lineout errors continued to plague the Chiefs but knock-ons and penalties hampered the Force.

The scores were locked up 6-6 18 minutes into the half when the Force was penalised for not staying bound and Donald managed the longer kick from the centre of the field.

Shepherd took the Force ahead again with another superb long-range penalty when the Chiefs were judged offside in midfield 23 minutes in.

The Chiefs struck back in the most emphatic way possible with a simple backline sweep from a ruck on the 22. Fijian speedster Sitiveni Sivivatu outpaced the defence down the touch line to slide in near the corner flag. Donald's kick missed badly and the Chiefs took the lead 11-9 with ten minutes left in the half.

The Chief enjoyed consistent attack late in the half, helped by errors creeping into the Force's game. When the Force did run the ball, they stood deep and passed it wide, rarely crossing the advantage line or threatening the Chiefs' defence.

The Chiefs had one last score in them in the last play of the half when Donald managed a third penalty for closing the lineout to go ahead 14-9.

The Chiefs poured on the pressure in the second half led by No.8 Sione Lauaki and flanker Marty Holah both causing havoc around the rucks, while inside centre Sam Tuitupou and wing Sitiveni Sivivatu were destructive attackers.

The Chiefs broke out when another poor kick from the Force was taken by winger Sosene Anesi who cut through the Force defence to link up with Sivivatu on a 60-metre run. The ball was batted on to centre Mark Ranby who scampered the final 20 metres and came around to touch down closer to the posts. Donald converted the easier kick and the Chiefs went ahead 21-9 16 minutes in.

Loki Chrichton came on to replace Donald, but he also missed a reasonable penalty chance 19 minutes into the half for pulling down in the lineout. But all the pressure was coming from the Chiefs as the Force's kicks became increasingly indiscriminate and head coach John Mitchell made wholesale changes. 

Three minutes later the Chiefs worked a set move bringing Sivivatu in to break the line, and fullback Mils Muliaina finished off with a try in the corner. Crichton shaved the posts with the conversion but the Chiefs were well ahead, 26-9.

In the final minutes the Force enjoyed a revival, with several promising breakouts and rare attacking opportunities in the Chief's 22, but without result.

The Western Force have the bye next weekend and Mitchell will need every minute of the two weeks to continue his team's steep learning curve.