Force have Tahs' number ... again; Rugby 365

It is the Force's third straight win over the men from Sydney, including their last encounter last year.

The key factors were the Force's determination and energy - aspects that were missing for most of this season - and the Waratahs' own inability to close out games.

It is the fifth consecutive match this season the Waratahs did not score a single point in the final quarter.

The losing bonus point did allow the Waratahs to overtake the Brumbies at the top of the Australian conference and move into the top three on the global standings, but that may be short-lived - depending on the Brumbies' encounter with the Stormers later on Saturday.

More to follow...

Man of the match: Taqele Naiyaravoro made the most of his limited opportunities, including that powerful burst for his team's first try - a crucial second-half score. Michael Hooper is always good value, but for the rest the Waratahs were pretty uninspiring. Marcel Brache again showed his value to the Western Force, Nick Cummins had the odd good run, Ryan Louwrens is beginning to repay the investment made in him by the Perth-based franchise. Angus Cottrell was also great value on defence. But our award goes to Western Force captain Matt Hodgson - despite his yellow card, with was questionable at best, and a couple of other penalties, he made several carries, his tackle count was well into double figures, he was a constant menace at the breakdown and he scored a second-half crucial try.

The scorers:

For the Western Force:
Tries: Louwrens, Hodgson
Con: Burton
Pens: Burton 2

For the Waratahs:
Try: Naiyaravoro
Pens: Foley 2

Yellow cards: Sekope Kepu (Waratahs, 33 - foul play, stomping on an opponent), Matt Hodgson (Western Force, 70 - repeated infringements, killing the ball at the breakdown)

Teams:

Western Force: 15 Luke Morahan, 14 Marcel Brache, 13 Kyle Godwin, 12 Solomoni Rasolea, 11 Nick Cummins, 10 Sias Ebersohn, 9 Ryan Louwrens, 8 Ben McCalman, 7 Matt Hodgson (captain), 6 Angus Cottrell, 5 Adam Coleman, 4 Steve Mafi, 3 Tetera Faulkner, 2 Nathan Charles, 1 Pekahou Cowan
Replacements: 16 Heath Tessmann, 17 Chris Heiberg, 18 Guy Millar, 19 Wilhelm Steenkamp, 20 Kane Koteka, 21 Alby Mathewson, 22 Luke Burton, 23 Mitchell Scott.
 
Waratahs: 15 Israel Folau, 14 Taqele Naiyaravoro, 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12 Kurtley Beale, 11 Rob Horne, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Nick Phipps, 8 Wycliff Palu, 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Jacques Potgieter, 5 Dave Dennis (captain), 4 Will Skelton, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Tolu Latu, 1 Benn Robinson.
Replacements: 16 Hugh Roach, 17 Jeremy Tilse, 18 Paddy Ryan, 19 Mitch Chapman, 20 Talalelei Gray, 21 Pat McCutcheon, 22 Brendan McKibbin, 23 Matt Carraro.

Referee: Rohan Hoffmann (Australia)
Assistant referees: Andrew Lees (Australia), Matt O'Brien (Australia)
TMO: Peter Marshall (Australia)