The ACT Brumbies ended their three-game losing streak, overcoming the Western Force in a 32-15 victory in Canberra to keep their finals position and season alive.
The Force came in with a focus on keeping their season alive, as Darcy Swain brings up his 100th Super Rugby game, with winger Dylan Pietsch making it 50 after recently re-signing.
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However, the hosts struck early through Lachlan Shaw, but the Force have worked their way back into the game, with Harry Johnson-Holmes bagging a try at close range and Ben Donaldson having a good night with the boot.
However, a late try to Ollie Sapford has seen the hosts regain the lead, surviving several late ventures into enemy territory by the Force to lead 14-10 at halftime.
The Brumbies continued to push in the second half, as Ryan Lonergan delivered a man of the match performance with the boot and scoring a try.
Carlo Tizzano responded to cut the margin to seven, but a flurry of points in the final ten minutes culminated in a dream debut try to local John I Dent Cup hero, Chris Mickelson, putting the result beyond doubt.
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Lomax kicks it long and the Brumbies play with the Force, the visitors going for one more attack as the siren goes.
The Brumbies defence holds strong, but the visitors keep battering away, looking for a consolation try and Pietsch finds his way through… but loses it.
Murihead kicks it out. That's it. Game over.
The Force concede another penalty, and the hosts attack again. Force regather, and Stewart clears as we head into the last minute of play. Brumbies lineout on the 22.
The Force look to have cut through, but are pulled up for obstruction.
Chris Mickelson, last year's John I Dent Cup player of the year, makes his debut for the Brumbies as they hound the Force's line looking for the winning points.
They get over the line, and Mickelson has scored it! The crowd has gone nuts! That should be enough for the hosts, as Lonergan converts.
Brumbies earn an advantage as they go through the forwards, but it comes to nought.
Berry gives the Force a formal warning now, it's critical times for the visitors. Brumbies decide to opt for three points. Lonergan converts and the margin is 10 points.
Both sides are desperate to find field possession, and finally, the Brumbies win the contest as Hudson Creighton nails the 50/22, and the hosts attack!
They try to go wide after nine phases, and Lomax attempts an intercept, but knocks it on. Nic Berry explains the rules why it isn't a penalty, and the Brumbies win a scrum.
Scrum penalty to the Brumbies after repeated warnings, and they tap and go!
The game is busting wide open, as the Force regathers off the restart and both sides look to find a win.
Sending to the air, Wright regathers and the Brumbies return fire, a kicking battle begins, with Wright kicking into touch.
Beale comes into the side for his 184th game, one match off Aaron Cruden's 185 matches, and 3rd highest on the all time Super Rugby caps list.
Back-to-back penalties by the Brumbies and the Force find themselves in a good position, with Donaldson kicking to the corner.
No jump maul, and Tizzano snipes through for the Force to score! Donaldson misses, but the visitors are now only one try behind.
The Force try to regather and send it to the air, but the Brumbies regather, a spring in their step, with Tom Wright delivering a brilliant touch finder to pin the hosts back.
Force rushes the clearance, and the hosts attack, but the Force defence looks solid, eventually creating and winning a maul through Pietsch and Paenga-Amosa man-handling Sapford.
Force concede a penalty for tackling a player in the air, and the Brumbies kick into the corner and pull a trick play from Lachie and Ryan Lonergan, catching the Force offside.
They go to the corner, trying to get the maximum, they maul it but the Force shut it down… so Lachie peels round the back and sets up Ryan beautifully for a critical try in the corner!
Ryan hooks it to the side, but the Brumbies have a 12-point lead now.
Lonergan makes no mistake from range, and the hosts have a seven-point lead.
Brumbies surprise the Force down the blindside, but knock it on as they try to go wide. Both sides are misfiring at the moment as the Force pack down for a scrum.
They win it and send it long, and a kick battle ensues before the Force attack, but they concede a penalty for holding on. The Brumbies point to the sticks.
The Force concede a free kick and the Brumbies attack, but a Tom Wright kick goes out on the full, big let off for the visitors.
The Force attack, but Donaldson butchers the bomb in the air, and the Brumbies attack… but Wright knocks it on cold. Another opportunity let off for the visitors.
We're back out on the field, and the Force kick us off to get underway. Critical half for both sides.
With pressure on his line, Ryan Lonergan pulls off a big steal on Tizzano and earns a penalty.
The siren sounds, Meredith kicks it out, and we're off down the tunnel.
Carlo Tizzano is pinged for not supporting his body weight, and Meredith kicks deep into enemy territory… however, Williams snatches it at the lineout and the Brumbies clear.
The Brumbies regather… but the Force snatch it again off the lineout via Molina. They kick ahead, and Lonergan is forced to clear behind is line.
Force with a chance to score heading into the last minute.
After clearing, the Force sends it to the air, and Lomax wins it in the air! The Force go wide but the ball goes into touch.
Brumbies win the lineout and clears, and the Force return fire… and Lomax outcontests Wright! However, he knocks it on in the process, scrum to the Brumbies.
Brumbies win it and attack from deep.
The Brumbies restart well, and Toole breaks the line! He links up with Valetini, but they go wide and Sapford scores in the corner to give the hosts back the lead!
Lonergan makes no mistake from the sideline.
Donaldson makes no mistake with the penalty goal, and the Force take the lead for the first time tonight.
The Force attack well, get up to the 5m and earn a penalty for a late hit, but the play breaks down. Donaldson kicks to the corner… but Frost pinches it off the lineout and the hosts clear.
Lomax attacks and the Force restart. They go backwards but regather in the wide channels, then get another advantage. Play breaks down, and they point to the sticks.
Force concede a penalty in their own half, and the hosts kick to the corner. They peel off the maul and the hosts get to work… but Paenga-Amosa catches them for not holding on and earns the penalty.
Force clear then send to the air, and Toole knocks it on in difficult conditions thanks to pressure from Pietsch.
The Force pick and drive, less than 5m out from the Brumbies line, they look dangerous!
After 11 phases, Swain and Harry Johnson-Holmes get them over the line. Try to the prop and the Force are back in this one! Donaldson converts, and we're locked up.
Force hold the ball well, but can't find a way through as they look to take the physical route, being pushed back to halfway before sending it to the air, putting a lot of pressure on Donaldson
Robertson looks to be down in back play, and he heads off the field in some discomfort, big loss for the Force.
Game restarted, Force send it to the air, and Lomax outmuscles Sapford to earn a free kick. Force attack quickly.
Sapford makes a good run and accelerates into the gap, but the dew proves slippery, and the Force regathers and makes it to halfway before sending to the air.
Brumbies return fire, and Grealy takes the metres, and Robertson makes some inroads before the knocking on. Scrum to the Brumbies.
The Force restarts well, but eventually Ollie Sapford takes a mark and sends it long. The Force regather and attack, and the Brumbies clear, but then concede a free kick.
They send it to the air, but the Brumbies mark it again.
A nightmare start for the visitors!
In his 100th game, Swain knocks on off the kick-off and the Brumbies attack immediately, hounding the Force line.
They get an advantage, attack directly, and Lachie Shaw gets them over the line to score the first points of the night. Lonergan converts
The sides walk out together and join for a moment's silence for Wests Lions player Lua Soana'i, who tragically passed away earlier this week. The community stands to its feet in appreciation.
The field is cleared, Nic Berry blows his whistle, and Declan Meredith kicks us off!
Tries: Shaw, Sapford, Lonergan, Mickelson
Cons: Lonergan 3/4
Pen: Lonergan 2/2
Tries: Johnson-Holmes, Tizzano
Cons: Donaldson 1/2
Pen: Donaldson 1/1
Welcome to Rugby.com.au's coverage of the ACT Brumbies with the Western Force in Canberra to cap off round thirteen.
Both sides are going through their warm-ups in Canberra, as we prepare for a critical night in the context of both sides' seasons.
The Brumbies have confirmed no changes to their starting side as they look to snap a three-game losing streak.
The visitors, however, have seen Violini Ekuasi withdraw due to personal reasons. Franco Molina will come into the starting side at lock, with Jeremy Williams shuffling into the loose forwards to make space. Lopeti Faifua will come onto the bench to complete the change.
Currently, conditions are clear in Canberra, with clear skies and no wind, but expect a cold night in the nation's capital. It's a true Canberra game!
BRUMBIES (1-15): James Slipper, Lachlan Lonergan, Allan Alaalatoa, Nick Frost, Lachlan Shaw, Rob Valetini, Rory Scott, Toby Macpherson, Ryan Lonergan (c), Declan Meredith, Corey Toole, David Feliuai, Hudson Creighton, Ollie Sapsford, Tom Wright
Replacements: Billy Pollard, Blake Schoupp, Rhys van Nek, Cadeyrn Neville, Chris Mickelson, Klayton Thorn, Tane Edmed, Andy Muirhead
FORCE (1-15): Tom Robertson, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Harry Johnson-Holmes, 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, Marley Pearce, Sef Fa'agase, Lopeti Faifua, Will Harris, Nathan Hastie, Bayley Kuenzle, Kurtley Beale
Referee: Nic Berry
Assistant Referees: Reuben Keane, Louis Trisley
TMO: Brett Cronan
The Brumbies' 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.
The game will also be shown on free-to-air television on 9Gem, with coverage beginning at 7:00 pm
