The ACT Brumbies overcame searing conditions and an early deficit to dismantle the Western Force 56–24 in a dominant Super Rugby Pacific season opener in Perth on Saturday.
With temperatures soaring above 35°C and Heat Stress protocols in place, it was the Brumbies who thrived in the punishing conditions, overturning a 10-point deficit and unleashing 28 unanswered points in a ruthless mid-match surge at HBF Park.
Slow Start Before Brumbies Ignite
The Force came out firing, pinning the visitors deep in their half and opening the scoring through flanker Vaiolini Ekuasi. A penalty from fly-half Ben Donaldson extended the lead to 10–0 after the first water break.
It took more than 20 minutes for the Brumbies to mount a serious threat, but when they did, back-rower Charlie Cale provided the spark, slicing through the defence to score their opening try.
Moments later, fly-half Declan Meredith produced a dazzling individual effort, stepping past defenders to hand the visitors a 14–10 halftime lead.
Valetini and Cale Lead the Charge
Led by powerhouse No.8 Rob Valetini, the Brumbies seized control after the break. Prop Rhys Van Nek crashed over early in the second half, before Cale turned provider with a superb assist to send Meredith over for his second try.
The Force briefly threatened a comeback when veteran playmaker Kurtley Beale combined with Donaldson to set up lock Franco Molina.
But the Brumbies responded emphatically.
Brumbies Run Riot Late
Meredith and Cale both completed doubles, while winger Corey Toole added a trademark opportunistic try. Ollie Sapsford capped the performance with a late score after the siren to seal a comprehensive bonus-point win.
Debutant Tane Edmed also made an immediate impression, landing three conversions after coming off the bench.
Derby Dominance Continues
Despite missing several Wallabies stars, the Brumbies’ clinical execution underlined their enduring strength, extending their perfect record in season openers against the Force to six wins from six.
ACT Brumbies 56 (Tries: Cale 2, Meredith 2, van Nek, Lonergan, Toole, Sapsford; Cons: Lonergan 4, Edmed 3) def Western Force 24 (Tries: Ekuasi, Molina, Tizzano; Cons: Donaldson 3; Pens: Donaldson)
Western Force: 15 Mac Grealy, 14 Divad Palu, 13 George Bridge, 12 Hamish Stewart, 11 Bayley Kuenzle, 10 Ben Donaldson, 9 Nathan Hastie, 8 Nick Champion de Crespigny, 7 Carlo Tizzano, 6 Vaiolini Ekuasi, 5 Franco Molina, 4 Jeremy Williams (captain), 3 Harry Johnson-Holmes, 2 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 1 Tom Robertson,
Replacements: 16 Leonel Oviedo, 17 Sef Fa’agase, 18 Misinale Epenisa, 19 Darcy Swain, 20 Will Harris, 21 Henry Robertson, 22 Max Burey, 23 Kurtley Beale
Brumbies: 15 Andy Muirhead, 14 Ollie Sapsford, 13 Kadin Pritchard, 12 David Feliuai, 11 Corey Toole, 10 Corey Toole, 9 Ryan Lonergan (captain), 8 Charlie Cale, 7 Rory Scott, 6 Rob Valetini, 5 Cadeyrn Neville, 4 Lachie Shaw, 3 Rhys van Nek, 2 Billy Pillord, 1 James Slipper.
Replacements: 16 Liam Bowron, 17 Blake Schoupp, 18 Tevita Alatini, 19 Toby Macpherson, 20 Luke Reimer, 21 Klayton Thorn, 22 Tane Edmed, 23 Hudson Creighton
Referee: Jordan Way
Assistant Referees: Damon Murphy, Jeremy Markey
TMO: James Leckie
English