RECAP: The Western Force have rallied to take down the Crusaders 31-26 in Perth.
The Force did it the hard way, coming back from a 19-0 deficit after a slow start following their return from Fiji.
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But the Force refused to give up and worked their way back into the contest, with NRL convert Zac Lomax getting the try to level the scores.
The Crusaders quickly responded but Harry Johnson-Holmes came up with the winner with eight minutes to go.
Carlo Tizzano nabbed the pilfer penalty at the death to seal the win and make it back-to-back against the defending champions.
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Force 31-26: Carlo Tizzano comes up with the winner as he nabs the turnover penalty with seconds left.
It was 20 phases of attack from the Crusaders, with the flanker picking his moment to strike and get the penalty that wins it.
Force 31-26: The Crusaders are starting to make ground as they enter the Force's half.
The Force are hunting for the turnover and just can't get the pill.
Force 31-26: A massive relieving moment for the Force as Macca Springer's try is struck off.
It comes after Sevu Reece knocks on a bomb two phases earlier, with the TMO confirming the error and the Force are still in front.
Force 31-26: The teams are stuck in a battle of territory as the stress level raise in this game.
Hamish Stewart sprints away but there was a knock on advantage for the Crusaders, who get the scrum near halfway.
Force 31-26: Harry Johnson-Holmes comes up back in his 100th, getting the try that puts the Force in front.
The Force keep barging down the Crusaders defence and it's the prop who salutes close to the line.
Crusaders 26-24: The Force are grinding down the Crusaders and Ben Donaldson breaks the game opener.
The hosts get the penalty advantage and keep pressing despite the points being on offer, going for the line.
Crusaders 26-24: Dylan Pietsch sneaks down the short side and dives over for the try.
He just has control of the ball, and the TMO rules it similar to Johnny McNicholl's try.
Crusaders 26-19: Tahlor Cahill goes to the bin in a big moment in this match.
Referee Reuben Keane hasn't forgotten about his warning from earlier, with the big lock paying the price.
Crusaders 26-19: The Crusaders hit straight back as Noah Hotham dives over for the try.
Macca Springer sprints down the wing and finds his scrumhalf, putting the ball down.
19-all: Zac Lomax, welcome to Rugby Union.
The winger dives over to level the scores after Ben Donaldson's looping ball has been unmarked in the corner, and boy is he happy.
Crusaders 19-14: A string of penalties against the Crusaders and it leads to a warning from referee Reuben Keane.
The Force are keeping the pressure on, kicking to the line again from five metres out.
Crusaders 19-14: Suddenly, it's all the hosts as the Crusaders scramble and force an error inside their 22.
Rob Penney has responded by bringing on Noah Hotham as everything is going the Force's way.
Crusaders 19-14: Great work from the Force and Henry Robertson has his second.
The Force power to the five metre line through their maul and baits the defence with the show-and-go for the try.
Crusaders 19-7: The Force re-apply the pressure after Zac Lomax is taken out trying to go for a high ball.
Lomax looks through a hole but they don't throw the pass and are turned over 15 metres out.
Crusaders 19-7: The Force have some late momentum and are hunting for further points.
Ben Donaldson kicks for the line, finding touch 20 metres out, with Carlo Tizzano held up after Zac Lomax does well to win a cross-field kick.
Crusaders 19-7: A beauty of a team try for the Force as Henry Robertson finishes it off.
It starts with a great cutout from Ben Donaldson to Dylan Pietsch, who finds his win partner.
Lomax draws and passes for Mac Grealy, who proceeds to put his scrumhalf over.
Crusaders 19-0: The Force are getting nothing going as they search for their first points.
They finally get field position but lose the lineout after kicking inside the 22.
Crusaders 19-0: The Force are on the ropes trying to survive as the Crusaders keep making big yards with Nick Champion de Crespigny still in the bin.
A desperate intercept from Darcy Swain saves them, with the Wallabies skipper finally returning to the park.
Crusaders 19-0: A ripper of a try and Johnny McNicholl superman dives his way to the line.
It starts with a Macca Springer break down the short side, kicking ahead for his fullback.
The fullback wins the foot race and slams the ball down within an inch of the in-goal line.
Crusaders 14-0: Leicester Fainga'anuku proves way too strong close to the line and is over for a try.
He gets himself one-on-one with Henry Robertson and carries the scrumhalf over the line.
Crusaders 7-0: Referee Reuben Keane has had enough and sends Nick Champion de Crespigny to the bin.
It comes after the repeated infringements, with a nice kick putting the Crusaders on the five metre line as the Force hold them up again, third time already this game!
Crusaders 7-0: The Force keep the Crusaders out for now as they held up Dom Gardiner
They had penalty advantage, with Reuben Keane now giving the hosts the warning that the next goes to the bin.
The Force replicate their efforts on Leicester Fainga'anuku shortly afterwards for the drop out.
Crusaders 7-0: The Crusaders are in full control as they hunt for their second try.
They are camped inside the Force's half, winning another penalty advantage as they kick to the five-metre line, with the hosts stopping the lineout illegally.
A slight delay as assistant referee Nic Berry goes off to fix his comms.
Crusaders 7-0: Outstanding counter-attack from the Crusaders allows hooker George Bell to score the opener.
It's all Taha Kemara, who chips and chases for himself as he's dragged down 15 metres out, with Sevu Reece finding George Bell after the pop pass for the try.
A nice kick and chase from Macca Springer earns the Crusaders a goal-line drop-out.
A little too casual from Henry Robertson, who quickly has to put it down after Springer sprints after it.
Jeremy Williams comes up with the unlikely intercept to halt the attack as it looms towards their 22.
The Crusaders get this game underway as the Force receive the kick off.
It's 'Party in the Park' at HBF Park tonight, with added music and entertainment around the ground.
Tries: H.Robertson 2, Lomax, Pietsch, Johnson-Holmes
Cons: Donaldson 3/5
Pens:
Tries: Bell, Fainga'anuku, McNicholl, Hotham
Cons: Kemara 2/3, Reihana 1/1
Pens:
Welcome to Rugby.com.au's coverage of the Western Force - Crusaders match as we soak in a wild Saturday of action.
It's been a cracker so far, from Super Point thrillers to massive upsets, it's been one of the wilder rounds so far.
The Force will be out to continue this, with the return of Carlo Tizzano, among others, massive for their hopes.
A late change for the Crusaders, with Chay Fihaki out, replaced by Sevu Reece in the starting side, with Toby Bell coming onto the bench.
FORCE (1-15): Tom Robertson, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Misinale Epenisa, Jeremy Williams (c), Darcy Swain, Nick Champion de Crespigny, Carlo Tizzano, Vaiolini Ekuasi, Henry Robertson, Ben Donaldson, Dylan Pietsch, Bayley Kuenzle, George Bridge, Zac Lomax, Mac Grealy
Replacements: Nic Dolly, Sef Fa’agase, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Franco Molina, Will Harris, Nathan Hastie, Hamish Stewart, Kurtley Beale
CRUSADERS (1-15): Finlay Brewis, George Bell, Seb Calder, Tahlor Cahill, Jamie Hannah, Dom Gardiner, Johnny Lee, Christian Lio-Willie (c), Louis Chapman, Taha Kemara, Macca Springer, Dallas McLeod, Leciester Fainga'anuku, Sevu Reece, Johnny McNicholl
Replacements: Manumaua Leitu, George Bower, Kershawl Sykes-Martin, Ollie Mathis Corey Kellow, Noah Hotham, Rivez Reihana, Toby Bell
Referee: Reuben Keane
Assistant Referees: Nic Berry, Louis Trisley
TMO: Brett Cronan
The Force's clash with the Crusaders will be shown LIVE on Stan Sport.
Coverage will be live and ad-free on Stan Sport, slated to start at 9:50 pm AEST, with kick-off to shortly follow.
