SYDNEY - The Western Force battled to a heroic 23-23 draw with the Crusaders in Perth overnight to turn the Super 14 form book on its head.
The Western Australian-based Force had lost their opening nine matches in their first season in the competition while theCrusaders had won all nine games to power to the top of the table.
The Force looked on course for an extraordinary win when they led 20-8 at halftime but the Crusaders, inspired by All Blacks first five-eighths Dan Carter, clawed their way back with two tries to preserve their unbeaten record.
The hosts, depleted by injuries, opened the scoring after seven minutes through a converted try by fullback Cameron Shepherd.
The Crusaders hit back with a Mose Tuiali'i try but replacement Brock James scampered over for another Force try and two Shepherd penalties gave the Australian side a commanding interval lead.
New Zealand backs Leon MacDonald and Rico Gear crossed the line, however, and Carter's conversion of Gear's try under the posts levelled the scores with five minutes remaining.
The Force were not finished, though, nearly pulling a famous victory out of the fire when Haig Sare squirmed over the line in the corner, only for the video referee to rule that he had failed to ground the ball fairly.
Western Force 23 (Cameron Shepherd, Brock James tries; Cameron Shepherd 3 pens, 2 cons) Crusaders 23 (Mose Tuiali'i, Leon McDonald, Rico Gear tries; Daniel Carter 2 pens, 1 con)
Standings after last night's games: Crusaders Played 10 Points 42 Waratahs 10 38 Hurricanes 9 33 Brumbies 9 28 Chiefs 10 27 Bulls 9 23 Sharks 9 22 Blues 9 22 Highlanders 10 22 Cheetahs 10 20 Stormers 10 18 Reds 10 17 Cats 9 6 Western Force 10 4
