Western Force claim breakthrough Super Rugby victory in New Zealand
The Western Force have secured their first victory of the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season with a commanding 35-19 triumph over Moana Pasifika in New Zealand, ending a nine-match winless streak that stretched back to April 2025.
Playing at Navigation Homes Stadium in Pukekohe, the Perth-based franchise delivered their most complete performance of the season, crossing for five tries to three and lifting themselves off the bottom of the competition ladder.
Bridge and Donaldson lead the charge
Former All Black George Bridge proved instrumental in the victory, recovering from an early missed opportunity to score his maiden try for the Force. The centre's redemption came after initially fumbling what appeared a certain try, only to break through Moana's defensive line minutes later.
Force flyhalf Ben Donaldson, who passed a late head injury assessment to take the field, orchestrated the opening score with a precise cross-field kick that winger Darby Lancaster collected for a fifth-minute try.
Dominant first half sets foundation
The Force established control early, building a 21-7 halftime advantage despite Moana hooker Mills Sanerivi's lone first-half response. Lock Darcy Swain added to the visitors' tally, capitalising on sustained pressure near the Moana line.
Unlike their disappointing defeats to the Brumbies and Blues to open the season, Simon Cron's side maintained their intensity after the interval. Flanker Carlo Tizzano, last year's leading tryscorer, finished off a driving maul in the 61st minute to effectively seal the contest.
Road trip momentum builds
Replacement hooker Leonel Oviedo completed the Force's try-scoring with their fifth touchdown, though late consolation efforts from Melani Matavao and Jackson Garden-Bachop denied the visitors a bonus point.
The victory marks only the Force's second success in 25 Super Rugby matches played in New Zealand and provides crucial momentum as they continue their three-game road trip with fixtures against the Highlanders and Hurricanes.
For Moana Pasifika, the defeat represents a significant setback following their season-opening 40-26 victory over Fijian Drua. The Auckland-based team had suffered a 52-10 loss to the Hurricanes the previous week, raising questions about their consistency in the expanded competition format.
The Force's breakthrough performance will provide confidence as Australian franchises seek to establish themselves more competitively in the trans-Tasman competition structure.