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Force shock Reds to claim maiden victory of the Super Rugby season
The Western Force have unleashed a six-try blitz to stun the Queensland Reds 40-31 in their Super Rugby Pacific showdown at Perth’s HBF Park.
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The Force raced out to a 21-0 lead inside 32 minutes on Saturday and were ahead 40-19 with 16 minutes to go, before the Reds launched a late fightback.
Tries to Fraser McReight and Jock Campbell closed the margin to nine points with five minutes remaining, but the Force held firm to deny the Reds a win or a bonus point.
The Force’s first victory of the season resulted in the unthinkable – relegating the mighty Crusaders (0-5) to the bottom of the ladder.
Queensland (3-2) slipped from second to fifth.
“It was unreal,” Force captain Jeremy Williams said of the win.
“We were very disciplined, and we were very patient when we were holding the ball.
“We executed really well. Our defence for the most part was really good.
“It’s pretty special. To see all the stuff we’ve been doing at training replicated on the paddock was really good.”
Carlo Tizzano cannot be stopped! 🤩
? Super Rugby Pacific. Force v Reds, live now. Every Match. Ad-free. Live & On Demand on the Home of Rugby, Stan Sport.#StanSportAU #SuperRugbyPacific #FORvRED pic.twitter.com/Y8Rphin0dB
— Stan Sport Rugby (@StanSportRugby) March 23, 2024
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The Force entered Saturday’s match with a 0-4 record and with coach Simon Cron declaring the time for talk was over.
Cron’s men defended grimly early on against the Reds, and their hard work paid off.
A quickfire counter-punch resulted in winger Bayley Kuenzle crossing in the 15th minute.
The Force’s hardness at the contest helped create their second try, with a counter-ruck on the Reds’ line allowing Thomas Franklin to touch down.
And it was 21-0 when an unmarked Chase Tiatia went over on the wing.
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Reds halfback Tate McDermott briefly stemmed the bleeding with a 35th-minute try – but his counterpart Nic White answered just 10 seconds before halftime to give the Force a 28-5 lead at the break.
McDermott scored his second try 90 seconds into the second period, selling a dummy to White and strolling over.
But Harry Wilson’s fumble of the restart handed the Force an instant reply, with the ball bobbling off the back-rower’s arms and head before Kuenzle ran in to snatch it and race to the line.
“Those things can happen,” Reds coach Les Kiss said of the fumble from Wilson.
“People don’t make mistakes like that on purpose, but those things were costly.”
There was a big thump of frustration from the Reds’ coaches box when Force flanker Carlo Tizzano fended off Ryan Smith in a 25-metre run to the line in the 54th minute.
Queensland sparked hope of a fightback with the final two tries of the match – but it was too little, too late.
The only downers for the Force were the loss of skipper Williams to a calf injury in the 27th minute, and a concussion to flanker Will Harris.
Reds centre Josh Flook was forced off in the second half following a head knock.
Comments on RugbyPass
Now if they could just fire the Crusaders ground PA guy who likes to play his dance music and just loves the sound of his own voice the entire game, even when play is going on. And I thought their brass band thing of a few years ago was bad.
5 Go to commentsUnfortunately when you lose by far the two form players this season in Roigard and Aumua, you're left replacing two game changing Tanks with a couple of pea-shooters. Which is also about the speed of TJs pass.
2 Go to commentsBit rich coming from the guy with zero loyalty to anyone or any team, including happily taking a players place in a league world cup squad because well, SBW wanted to play in it and thus an already named player got told he was no longer going. And airing stuff like this, which may or may not be true, doesn't exactly say you're a stand up guy either SBW. Just looking to keep his name in lights as usual.
37 Go to commentsTamati Tua. …the Taniwha NPC midfielder. Ollie Sapsford, Hawkes Bay NPC midfielder…doing well
2 Go to commentsFiji deserve to be in the rugby championship, fans love seeing the Fijian national team play, the Fijian Drua is a wonderful idea but the players can still be stolen to play for NZ and AUS…
1 Go to commentsThe first concern for this afternoon are wheather forecast…
1 Go to commentsWhy cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
5 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
33 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
5 Go to commentsI don't know how the locals feel about that? I guess if you call yourselves the Worcester Wasps that might be appease. But really we need more teams in the Premiership in my view so they are not padding it out as they are at the moment. It might curtail so many players going abroad as well
5 Go to commentsNZ 😭😭😭is certainly rivaling England for best whingers cup!😭😭😭 !!!
33 Go to comments