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Match Result
One weird game Reds dominate it in the second half by getting scrum after scrum in the second half. They had 63% field position for the game which pretty much sums up how bad the Force truly were.
The Reds first try was all class and it set up a good second half, virtually no fight from the Force all game, poor tactics and spending a week on the Gold Coast truly showed. A reality check. Genia controlled the game well and Thomson and Gill were great around the breakdown.
A penalty try early in the second half showed the dominance of the Reds.
Frisby solid as the stand in fly half and Kerevi excellent without being over the top. Big question marks over the Force set pieces, Charles and Tessman were rubbish. Injuries to Alcock and Van Wyk sum up a poor night, Horwill and Slipper also suffered some injuries.
All in all a tough night, this one certainly won’t be re-watched by many, perhaps Reds’ fans but not many else.
Reds 18 defeated Force 6
Match Preview
The Reds will have to put the humiliation of last week behind them as they face the Western Force, who pulled off a stunning upset against the defending champions last week. Join us for live scores and commentary from 7:20pm AEDT.
Last week the Reds were dreadful in their 47-3 loss at the hands of the Brumbies in Canberra. They showed no attacking flare and their forwards were dominated by a clinical Brumbies pack.
On Sunday the Force were superb in their 25-13 victory over the Waratahs. It was a great sign for the Force who were missing key players, and showed heart to defeat the number one side in the league.
For the Reds both Jamie-Jerry Tuilagi and flyhalf Duncan Paia’aua have been ruled out of this week’s game, while Ed O’Donoghue has also been sidelined with a knee injury.
Reds fans will get their first look at James O’Connor in a competitive game, and he will slide into the flyhalf role after Karmichael Hunt was demolished by the Brumbies last week.
Hunt moves to fullback and former All Black Adam Thomson will add some much needed grunt to the Queensland line up.
With O’Connor at flyhalf the Reds should have some more fluency in attack. Samu Kerevi nearly scored a try against the Brumbies and looked dangerous when he was given the opportunity, if the Reds can get some decent possession he will be a key to win.
For the Force Pek Cowan has been cleared of serious injury after being stretchered off last week against the Waratahs, but he is unlikely to take his place. Matt Hodgson and Nick Cummins are also unlikely to play.
Sias Ebersohn put in a comprehensive performance against the Wallaby flyhalf Bernard Foley last week, but he had some shaky goal kicking so there is still room for improvement.
Matches between these two sides are split at five and five with one draw. At home the Reds lead the force 4-2 but the two losses to the Force have come in the last two games at Suncorp. Last season the Force took a clean-sweep of the Reds winning 32-29 in Brisbane and 30-20 in Perth.
The last six of eight matches between these two have been decided by 10 points or less. Four of the last eight have produced a margin of four points or less, so this game should be close. The Reds won three games in eight at home last season in what was a disappointing year.
The Reds have the team to beat the Force but it all depends on whether or not they turn up. Will Genia and James Horwill looked uninterested last week, with Horwill in particular shocking – as a leader of this team he needs to do better.
The Force could get their season off to the perfect start with a second consecutive road win but they need to bring the same effort from last week.
Prediction: Reds by 3.
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