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The Western Force won one of the scrappiest games in Super Rugby history, one that was really lacking the fundamentals of quality rugby.
A disappointing fixture, one that the Force arguably deserved as the better team on the night. The win was a very long way from pretty, but the Force got the job done.
Final score
Queensland Reds 6
Western Force 22
The Reds host the Western Force at Suncorp Stadium in Round 2 of Super Rugby. Tune into The Roar from 7:30pm (AEDT) for live scores and commentary.
The Reds’ Japanese sensation Ayumu Goromaru starts at fullback, after he came off the bench last weekend, moving Karmichael Hunt to inside centre.
Goromaru has been eased into Super Rugby after a long 2015 season for his Japanese club and of course his nation at the Rugby World Cup.
“It was just a matter of him settling in and I think he has done that pretty well,” said Reds coach Richard Graham.
Hunt replaces young gun Henry Taefu, who has been ruled out for six to eight weeks with a serious ankle injury. Graham is still unsure about where to play Hunt, so eyes will be on the 29-year-old to see if he can make 12 his own position in 2016.
Force coach Michael Foley has made three changes to the side that lost to the Rebels 25-19. Ben McCalman has been named on the bench after being rested in the first round, Semisi Masirewa will start in front of Marcel Brache, while an injury to Kyle Godwin means Solomoni Rasolea wears the 12 jersey.
The Force performed well against the Melbourne Rebels last weekend, pushing the match right to the end, and Jono Lance was one of only three to kick with 100 per cent success after the first round.
An area of concern for the Force is turnovers conceded, 28 in comparison to the Reds’ 18. However, the Reds did miss more tackles – 28 to the Force’s 14.
Queensland beat the Force in both fixtures last season and have only dropped two games to the Perth-based side at Suncorp Stadium since the men from the West entered the competition in 2006.
Prediction
The Force are missing experienced campaigner Kyle Godwin, and the Reds are tough to beat at home.
Reds by 3.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.