The Western Force delivered a first-half try frenzy to make it two wins from two games in pre-season, downing the ACT Brumbies 42-12 at Scotch College Playing Fields on Friday afternoon.
In warm but windy conditions, the Force ran in five first-half tries, opening up a 35-0 lead at the break to take strong form heading into their Round 1 clash against the Brums in a fortnight’s time.
Prop Tom Robertson and openside flanker Carlo Tizzano scored first-half doubles as the Force forward pack flexed their muscle.
Fly-half Ben Donaldson delivered the best try of the lot with a brilliant kick and chase try, while Henry Robertson rounded out the scoring late, after the Brumbies rallied in the second 40.
The result offers optimism for Simon Cron and the Sea of Blue heading into the 2026 Swyftx Super Rugby Pacific season.
The Force took an early lead with Wallabies prop Robertson coming up with the ball after a pack of bodies charged over the try line.
UWA product Tizzano added a second in the 18th minute from a lineout maul, darting over as it fell apart, with Donaldson adding the extras for a 14-0 lead.
Donaldson then scored the try of the half, as the Force repelled a Brumbies attack with Mac Grealy leading the counter-attack.
Grealy offloaded for Donaldson who kicked in his own half and raced past Shane Wilcox for a brilliant kick-chase try. Donaldson maintained his perfect record from the tee for a 21-0 lead.
The Force forwards got to work again from a 15m attacking lineout, with Robertson crossing from a maul.
The attacking phases kept mounting for the Force, with Tizzano barging his way over a fifth for the home side in the first half. Donaldson converted for a 35-0 half-time lead.
In the second half, Kane Koteka was yellow carded for repeated Force infringements. The Force defence held strong despite their numerical disadvantage, holding up Darcy Breen over the line.
But the Brumbies persisted and would get on the scoreboard on the hour mark via a penalty try.
Will Harris produced a penalty turnover in the Brumbies’ attacking 15m enabling the hosts to close it out.
Western Force 42
Tries: T.Robertson (5’, 36’), Tizzano (18, 40’), Donaldson (26’), H.Robertson (77’)
Conversions: Donaldson 5/5, Burey 1/1
Penalties: Nil
ACT Brumbies 12
Tries: Penalty Try (60’), Bowron (74’)
Conversions: Meredith 0/1
Penalties: Nil
@ Scotch College Playing Fields, Swanbourne
