Force coach Cron hails 'fight' as records tumble in Canberra / Photo: © AFP
Force coach Cron hails 'fight' as records tumble in Canberra
Western Force coach Simon Cron says his side's 45-42 upset of the powerhouse ACT Brumbies in fortress Canberra boded well for the future after they snapped a 15-game losing streak away from home.
The Perth-based Force bettered a team stacked with Wallabies on Saturday evening, despite getting four yellow cards and being down to 13 men late in the second period.
It not only sealed back-to-back Super Rugby wins to open a season, but clinched their first victory in Canberra for nearly 14 years.
The triumph followed a similarly heart-stopping 45-44 takedown of Moana Pasifika at home last week.
"The scenarios we've been through in the last two weeks will help us in the future," Cron told reporters after the game.
"The fight the boys have showed will help them in the future. The boys, down to 13 men and fighting, were something we are really proud of."
But Cron was not happy leaking more than 40 points in consecutive wins.
"We did a really good job in the middle of the field defensively. We've just got to work on a few things down the edge," he said.
The Force raced to a 21-point lead, but poor discipline threatened to undo the good work with the series of yellow cards opening the door to the Brumbies.
While the Canberra side was bolstered by the inclusion of Allan Alaalatoa, James Slipper, Tom Wright and Len Ikitau, they were unable to get the job done.
Both teams scored six converted tries with Ben Donaldson's 49th-minute penalty ultimately making the difference.
Wallabies scrumhalf Nic White, who spent nine seasons with the Brumbies before switching to Perth last year, said the victory had put the team "in a really good place".
"To be able to win away from home ... this is a place not many teams come and win," he said.
"I know from being on the other side. It's called a fortress, it feels like a double win really."
Brumbies skipper Alaalatoa admitted their slow start was unacceptable.
"That was the chat out there, there was always belief that we could come back but if you think about that again, we can't start like that," the Test prop said.
The Force host Queensland Reds next week while the Brumbies, who won their season opener against Fijian Drua, face a tough assignment in Hamilton against the unbeaten Waikato Chiefs.
W.Phillips--TNT
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