A try is awarded to the Force in their game against the Brumbies. Photo: supplied
Two players will face the Super Rugby Pacific judiciary after the weekend’s games with two big upset results.
Queensland Reds centre Hunter Paisami and (NZ) Highlanders prop Daniel Lienert-Brown have been cited.
Paisami was referred to the judiciary over a wrong tackle in the 30th minute of the Reds’ 56-36 win over the NZ-based Moana Pasifika in Brisbane on Friday.
Highlander Lienert-Brown was cited for a red card in his side’s 29-23 upset of defending champions (Auckland) Blues in Dunedin on Saturday.
He was red-carded with 20 minutes to go for a dangerous clean-out. Highlanders finished the game two men down for the win.
In Canberra, the Western Force broke a 14-year drought to beat the ACT Brumbies 45-42 despite four yellow cards.
The Force raced out to a 21-0 lead before the hosts struck back with two tries.
The Perth visitors led 28-14 at halftime before the Brumbies fought back in the second half and led 42-38 with five minutes to go.
Playing with two men down as well, the Force scored the decisive try when reserve hooker Brandon Paenga-Amosa burrowed his way over after 18 phases.
In Friday’s other games, former Wallaby James O’Connor score a try and kicked a penalty for the Crusaders in their 49-24 loss to the Chiefs in a NZ derby.
The game was an even contest for 50 minutes before the hosts ran away with the game.
On Saturday, the Wellington-based Hurricanes defeated the Fijian Drua 38-34 at Napier.
NSW had the bye.
The results leave the Force in second place on the table, behind the Chiefs, with the Reds, Highlanders and Brumbies making up the top five.
SIX NATIONS
In Europe, Ireland beat hosts Wales 27-18 to claim the Triple Crown while England beat Scotland 16-15 at Twickenham to reclaim the Calcutta Cup and France thumped Italy 73-24 in Rome.
