The NSW Waratahs have ended a difficult Super Rugby season on a low note, falling 31-25 to the Western Force in Perth and losing Wallabies captain Jake Gordon to a serious Achilles tendon injury.The match initially looked promising for the Waratahs, who raced to a 20-7 lead after dominating the opening 30 minutes.However, they were unable to maintain control and once again fell apart under pressure, a recurring issue throughout their season.

Gordon suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon late in the first half while attempting a quick tap, an injury that is expected to rule him out of all Test matches this year and leaves a significant gap for both club and country.

The Force capitalised on NSW’s inconsistency, particularly their struggles at set-piece, with the Waratahs losing seven lineouts and operating at just 53 per cent effectiveness.Five of those losses occurred in attacking positions inside the Force 22, repeatedly halting scoring opportunities.

Despite a standout performance from Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, who provided strong carries and defensive impact, the Waratahs could not withstand the physical dominance of the Force pack.

The home side, led by strong performances from Dylan Pietsch, Carlo Tizzano and Jeremy Williams, mounted a second-half comeback, eventually taking control after trailing at halftime.

The Waratahs briefly regained the lead late in the match but were undone by another costly lineout error that allowed the Force to score a decisive try.

The result marked NSW’s ninth defeat of the season, finishing with a 5-9 record and intensifying scrutiny on coach Dan McKellar, who is under pressure heading into the final year of his contract.Meanwhile, the Force ended their season positively with seven wins, their best tally since 2014.

Players and coaching staff acknowledged the disappointment, citing repeated failures to close out games and ongoing execution issues as key factors in a season of underperformance.