Bizarre Force decision questioned as battlers fall to Rebels in one-point thriller
The Force suffered an agonising one-point loss to the Rebels on Friday night – and a Wallabies legend believes they may have hamstrung themselves by opting for a late penalty goal.
When the referee blew his whistle after deeming the Force off side in the 73rd minute, fullback Jake Strachan slotted a penalty goal to close the deficit from four points to one.
No more points were scored over the remainder of the match and the Rebels clung on desperately for a 22-21 triumph.
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Tim Horan, a Wallabies great with 80 Tests beside his name, singled out the Force's decision to take the penalty goal as a potentially costly move.
"... he probably shouldn't have taken the kick for goal for three points," Horan said on Stan's post-match coverage.
"You're six minutes out from full-time. You kick for touch, you back your lineout. You're behind by four points. You've got to stay down that end of the field."
The Force suffered a one-point loss – and a great of the game thinks they may have dudded themselves with one call. Paul Kane/Getty Images
The Rebels' second win in succession put them equal on points with the Hurricanes.
Melbourne's two consecutive wins follow a horrible start to its campaign, in which it registered just one victory from its first six outings.
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The Highlanders are floundering in 10th, one spot behind the Rebels, after falling to their fourth defeat in five games.
"Congratulations, Melbourne Rebels," Horan said.
"That's two in a row. It was a tough start to the competition. Those first six rounds were pretty tough, but they've got two in a round. Well done."
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