Super Rugby AUS: Western Force to host final after beating Waratahs 17-12

Western Force will host the Super Rugby AUS grand final for the second year running after running down the Waratahs late to triumph 17-12 in Sydney.

Early second-half tries to Boston Fakafanua and Nic Dolly, after scrum-half Nathan Hastie’s purple patch in finding the try-line continued, were enough to secure the win.

Despite several late raids by their opponents, Force held strong defensively to hold out the Waratahs, who they will meet once again in next week’s decider at Hale School — a rematch of last’s year’s final.

Both sides knew ahead of the game they had already qualified for next week’s final, but with hosting rights at stake the Force suffered a blow pre-game when Zac Lomax and new signing Trevor Hosea were ruled unavailable as Mack Wrigley and Tim Sail came into the 23.

After Ethan Dobbins had put the Waratahs ahead, former Australian sevens standout Wallace Charlie initiated a line break, before Hastie finished off his good work after sprinting alongside in support to grab his fifth try in three games.

Dobbins’ second try of the game and Max Burey’s conversion gave the Waratahs a 12-7 lead at the break, but the Force hit back quickly after the restart.

Dolly crossed within a minute of the restart after some nice work from a rolling maul and eight minutes later, Fakafanua extended the lead to 17-12.

Although the Waratahs pressed late, veteran fly-half Kurtley Beale ensured good field position and steadied the ship while Wallabies winger Dylan Pietsch made a successful return form a foot injury and was his usual uncompromising self.