Western Force playmaker Ben Donaldson scored a miracle try and kicked the conversion to steal a Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific win away from Moana Pasifika in a 45-44 point-scoring bonanza in Perth.
Despite being hobbled by an ankle injury in the first half, Donaldson found a hole in the Pasifika defence after 26 phases and ran almost 70 metres to touch down in the 83rd minute.
The home side looked down and out before Wallabies winger Dylan Pietsch showed fast feet to cross in the 75th minute, with Donaldson converting for the Force to trail 44-38.
They still had plenty of work to do and kept the ball in play before Donaldson made his move.
With new captain, All Blacks superstar Ardie Savea, at the helm, Moana looked headed for an upset victory at HBF Park.
Exciting young winger Kyren Taumoefolau collected a double among Moana’s haul of six tries and his side led 44-31 after 75 minutes.
More than 50 points were scored in the first half alone in hot conditions, with the home side trailing by three points at the break.
They scrambled back from a 3-17 deficit with Force flanker Carlo Tizzano crossing twice to reduce the margin to three points, 27-24.
Pietsch came off the bench early in the second half and made an immediate impact, running on to a long cut-out pass from fellow Wallaby, scrum-half Nic White.
He dashed 40 metres and was brought down just short of the line, with prop Marley Pearce finishing off the try for the Force to go ahead 31-29 after 49 minutes.
Force fans were then silenced for much of the second half as Pasifika stormed to the lead, adding three second half tries including one while Force prop Tom Robertson was yellow-carded with their scrum struggling.
But the home crowd were on their feet to cheer Donaldson home for the unlikely win.
Source: Rugbypass
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