Western Force’s coach, Simon Cron, expressed his frustration in Lautoka after his team squandered a prime opportunity to claim an unexpected victory against the Fijian Drua on Saturday. The Force found themselves trailing 24-22 at full-time and let a crucial attacking lineout slip away, allowing the Drua to seal their win by kicking the ball out of play. This disappointing finish overshadowed Zac Lomax’s impressive Super Rugby debut, where the former NRL player made a significant impact in just 20 minutes on the field, contributing to a try by Will Harris and earning a yellow card for rival winger Ilaisa Droasese.
Lomax displayed his skills, including a notable high catch, and was encouraged to move freely around the field. However, the team’s goalkicking shortcomings ultimately proved detrimental. Veteran Kurtley Beale, who had earlier thrown an intercept pass leading to a Drua try, failed to convert Harris’ try, keeping the scores at 24-22. Furthermore, Ben Donaldson missed a 45-metre penalty attempt in the 78th minute that could have turned the tide in favour of the Force.
This defeat leaves the Force languishing at the bottom of the league table, with their finals hopes waning. Captain Jeremy Williams, who scored a try, acknowledged the game’s physicality and felt the team executed their set-piece strategies well, believing they were in a position to win. Williams expressed pride in the team’s preparation and performance, despite the disappointing result. He noted that had they executed a few additional plays, they might have clinched the match. The close contest provided excitement for fans, underscoring the team’s potential despite the loss.