The Western Force have snapped an 11-match Australian losing streak against New Zealand opposition in 2023, defeating the Highlanders 30-17 in Perth.
On a wild night, where five yellow cards were shown by Australian referee Nic Berry, the Force ran out to a 24-3 lead at half time before the Highlanders came storming back.
Two second half tries allowed the Highlanders to turn the screws, but two penalties to Bryce Hegarty, who started off the night by scoring the opening try, saw the home side make a winning return home after four weeks on the road.
Manasa Mataele scored a first half try to help the Force to an important win over the Highlanders at HBF Park, on April 22, 2023. Photo: Paul Kane/Getty Images
Hooker Tom Horton, who finished the evening in the back-row, summed up the Force’s second half dig.
“F–k, I was gassed,” he told former Wallaby Justin Harrison on Stan Sport.
More to come…
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