Stand-in skipper Gareth Simpson says the Western Force have “something special” after roaring back to claim a bonus point in Sunday’s 45-42 loss to the Hurricanes in Palmerston North.
The Force trailed by 19 points at half time but never gave up, scoring the last three tries including Zach Kibirige’s second of the afternoon in the 85th minute.
The loss ends the Force’s 0-3 tour of New Zealand on the back of losses to the Highlanders and Blues.
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Simon Cron’s squad will head back to Perth in 10th position with a 2-4 record and a chance to reset with the bye next weekend.
“We’ve spoken about it all season, trying to be a team that can play 80 or 85 minutes,” said halfback Simpson, leading the Force in the absence of injured captain Michael Wells.
“We’ve been there and thereabouts in our three games so far (in NZ) and it’s good to actually finish that off quite strong. We’re disappointed with the result, but it’s good to take something away from it… there’s still lots of stuff to work on.
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Force skipper makes sense of wild finish
“We don’t want to be 19 points down at half time. But yeah, this is a team that never dies and this team has something special.”
English winger Kibirige’s brace was complemented by tries to Jeremy Williams, Bayley Kuenzle, Siosifa Amone and Jake Strachan.
Simpson wasn’t sure whether Wells would be back for the next game against the NSW Waratahs on April 15 but had relished the taste of leadership regardless.
“Something different to what I’m used to, but I did enjoy it and it’s a special bunch of boys to captain,” Simpson said.
“Look forward to the week off as well, but we’ll go hard in the next game as well.”
The Hurricanes scored seven tries, with Palmerston North product Brayden Iose grabbing a brace from No.8.
With the win, Jason Holland’s 5-1 squad reclaims second spot on the ladder from the Brumbies.
But Holland was concerned about an injury to five-eighth Brett Cameron, who screamed in pain after getting his leg trapped under a Force defender
“It didn’t look too good did it?” Holland mused.
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