Force denied at the death
Stephen Brett's penalty after the final hooter secured the Blues a dramatic 22-22 draw against the Western Force.
Last Updated: 12/03/11 2:27pm
Stephen Brett kicked a penalty after the final hooter had sounded to rescue the Auckland Blues a 22-22 draw against the Western Force in Perth.
The replacement fly-half held his nerve to complete a stunning comeback from the visitors after they had trailed by 10 points with just five minutes left.
The Force looked set to register their first win in the all-new Super Rugby tournament this season thanks to five penalties and a conversion from the boot of number 10 James O'Connor.
However, with forward Jono Jenkins in the sin bin, the hosts couldn't stop Blues skipper Keven Mealamu crossing for a try. Brett added the conversion and then stepped up to deny the Force with the final kick of the contest.
Luke McAlister had earlier slotted over four penalties for the Blues, though the New Zealand international did miss his first two shots at the uprights.
His failures allowed the Force to open up a 6-0 lead thanks to a pair of penalties from the impressive O'Connor.
Williams injured
McAlister finally found the target to cut the deficit in half but the visitors were dealt a blow when lock Ali Williams was forced off with a pulled hamstring.
A second McAlister kick levelled the scores before he traded penalties with O'Connor, who produced one superb break in open play to set up a try for lock Sam Wykes - only for the TMO to rule it out after studying video evidence.
However, the Force did cross for the game's opening try just before the break, Wykes putting centre Nick Cummins over in the corner.
O'Connor belted over the touchline conversion to put the Force 16-9 ahead and although McAlister reduced the gap soon after half time, a further two penalties from the Australian fly-half put his team in complete control.
The Force withstood a series of furious attacks from the Blues, but were then unable to stop Mealamu burrowing over in the closing stages.
Brett added the extras and with less than 15 seconds remaining, referee Nathan Pearce penalised the Force forwards for going over the top. They then had to stand and watch as the penalty sailed over, meaning the franchise's wait for a much-needed victory goes on for a little longer yet.
