It was a game of competitive two-halves rugby that was held under wet weather between the Queensland Reds and Western Force tonight at Suncorp Stadium as we are nearly halfway (Week 7 of 16). Reds got themselves going before some ill-discipline and poor line-outs have marked a huge setback while Force played the Reds with Fire of the gold & black jersey so they can make every chance count that can keep their Top 6 Finals hopes alive.
There can be only be one winner having levelled 21-21 at half-time and in the end, it’s the mighty Queensland Reds who took home yet another win like it was a few weeks ago in their last own match on the Force’s own ground at HBF Park, 28-24.
From elsewhere
Here’s what you need to know prior to this game tonight:
- Gotta feel for the Waratahs especially Max Jorgensen who picked up an unfortunate injury during their big loss to the Hurricanes early last night to begin Week 7’s matches at Wellington’s Sky Stadium by 57-12.
- ACT Brumbies broke the Highlanders’ hearts that late to sign off their strong home ground front at GIO Stadium also last night in Canberra, 34-27.
- Crusaders got battered & bruised this weekend in Christchurch thanks to Moana Pasifika who are back in business with a long way to go (from last spot to now 9th), 29-45.
- And there’s only four games out of five since the Chiefs and Blues (both last year’s grand finalists) are having the week-long off the field.
Top 3 players
Filipo Daugunu belongs to the heart of Ballymore having made up some magic attacking metres while he was superb at locking up in defense – no wonder his goalkeeping & striking background from soccer helped him struck a good balance right at the middle of the Reds’ outside 13.
So does fellow Red Tate McDermott as the reverse 9 where his supercharged influences created shockwaves at the Force’s own doormat, especially in the last 10 mins thanks to his late TRY & that enough to get over the line in the end.
All in all, yes, there were some mistakes like poor line-outs and ill-discipline but hey, Queenslanders never back down!
And you can’t go past the Western Force’s own running rugby with Darcy Swain’s top-class input all on the second row 5 from line-out intercepts to building pressure both attack and defence which proved to be a huge difference so far.
Yes, unlucky there from Force who had the better ball than the Reds – they just struggled have the last say in the end.
