Sitting overlooking the try line in the northeast corner of Suncorp Stadium on Friday night, I was looking forward to the Queensland Reds and Western Force play some great attacking rugby before my eyes.
The coin toss had the Force attacking in my direction in the first half and attack they did. The Force gained possession early and surprised us all with two early team tries finished by Jack McGregor and former Queensland junior representative player Byron Ralston, all sparked by decisive playmaking by veteran former Red Jono Lance.
When Ralston scored a woman near me commented of the Reds “now they have a long way to come back”, but the crowd did not seem particularly put out. Perhaps that was because we all had the belief that this Queensland Reds team would double down and fight their way back into the game.
Of course the Reds did fight their way back in, quickly scoring a team try finished by Brandon Paenga-Amosa, then two more by Jock Campbell and Tanielia Tupou in quick succession. From my vantage point, it was particularly impressive to watch the start of the Campbell try.
The move started with a scrum, with Tate McDermott then Hamish Stewart making space with straight running and perfectly-timed, accurate short passes for Hunter Paisami to run on to. The view from behind the players gave a new appreciation for somebody who has never played in the backs of the art of a good outside centre in picking the right line to run to get by the defence, then connecting with support runners to finish off the move.
It didn’t take long before the Force struck back though, with Ralston intercepting a James O’Connor pass near the Force try line to stay ahead of Filipe Dauganu over 80 metres and dot the ball down between the sticks. Dauganu immediately responded, charging down the subsequent conversion attempt, denying the Force two points which would have levelled up the scores at halftime.
(Photo by Steve Haag/Gallo Images/Getty Images)
Somewhere among all that frenetic first half action, a bunch of young people down near the sideline found time to give a loud, good-natured ribbing to former Reds, Greg Holmes, Andrew Ready and Henry Taefu, who were on the Force bench and warmed up in front of us.
When 37-year-old Queensland legend Holmes was substituted it was nice that he was acknowledged over the loudspeaker for his unexpected return to Suncorp, something that the announcer said they would not normally do for an opposing player.
In the second half it was the Red’s turn to attack down our end of the park and it didn’t take them long to oblige as within five minutes Dauganu had scored an excellent try off the back of another series of enterprising short passes.
O’Connor served the Reds well with his return to the kicking tee, converting all four attempts. In the second half he demonstrated his accuracy yet again with a penalty kick for touch to the sideline in front of me, by knocking the beer out of the hands of a bloke who was cheering him on.
The bloke seemed pretty happy about it, so O’Connor can be assured that since he can knock another man’s beer over and still receive approval his brand is in good shape.
Another bloke from that group was a good sport and then tried for a good ten minutes to get the crowd to do the Mexican wave. As it turns out, social distancing isn’t only good for stopping the spread of coronavirus, so the effort resulted in more of a series of Mexican splashes that went about one section of the stands, but it was good of him to put himself out there.
Back in the game, the final ten minutes were climatic, with Paisami giving up a yellow card for a tip tackle in the 70th minute and leaving the Reds to play on with 14 men until full time. The intensity was ramped up when Andrew Ready for the Force scored a rolling maul try, taking the game within four points.
The supporters in the stands were certainly revved up, but again there was no impending sense of doom as might have been the case in previous years.
The Reds responded, fighting their way back to our end of the park and putting O’Connor in a position to stretch the lead to seven points with a field goal in the 79th minute, then the Reds kept the Force at bay until the game was won.
What a great night out and what a great advertisement for Aussie rugby, so thanks to both the Force and to the Reds for both putting in 100 per cent to make it happen.
Rhys Bosley
Roar Pro
Lance always had good basics and was tough, but lacked the creativity that we saw on Friday. Credit to him for showing that it is never too late for an old dog to learn new tricks.
Purdo
Roar Rookie
It was a great game. I have only in recent years been able to watch games other than internationals. I had not seen Jono Lance before the return of Australian SR after the covid break. He was a revelation to me. His game management was great as were his wide flat passing, his ability to tackle and to take the ball to ground in a tackle when needed. Has he only recently hit his straps as a 10? I'd have thought he would have been a bit past his best. I think he is the best mature 10 I've seen since Larkham. It's a pity the Wallabies missed out on his contribution between 2015 and 2019.
Cobber
Guest
A great game of footy. Very enjoyable
DaveJ
Roar Rookie
But the Blues and the Bulls also had light-medium blue jerseys too. Highlanders and Stormers with shades of blue as well.
Busted Fullback
Roar Rookie
If the improvements continue throughout the competition JOC should be a chance. Either way, 10 or 12, I'd say he has to be there somewhere based on current form.
Number12
Roar Rookie
All very valid comments to date but two points I’d like to add: Jono Lance was outstanding in organising his backline with the width of his accurate passing very impressive & dare I say ‘Quade-like’ Tupou played virtually the whole game again & the pickup off his toes late in the game extraordinary for a tight head!
Rhys Bosley
Roar Pro
Yeah, I was in the O"Connor for Wallaby 12 camp, but he just gets better by the week at 10, doesn't he.
Busted Fullback
Roar Rookie
Thanks for your ideas Rhys. Let's hope he stays relatively injury free then and becomes the guiding experience for and combination builder with Gordan. Maybe we get more cohesion and variety in the backline so that those skills are further utilised and rewarded. I should also say that I thought JOC was more composed on Friday and looked a lot better for it. Wallaby 10? I still think 12.
Rhys Bosley
Roar Pro
Hi BF, I just think they play Stewart like that because he loves the contact, always has, even when he was playing 10. I think he will be played as a specialist 12 from now on, it is by far his best spot and they have Carter Gordan to groom into 10, so I don’t think there is a lot of merit in moving Stewart. He has good ball skills though, as per the reference in the article to his pass to Paisami, and he is a far better defender than Kerevi could ever hope to be.
Busted Fullback
Roar Rookie
G'day Rhys. Thanks for the summary. My son and I were in the N-W (brewery) corner enjoying the game. Wondered why we ever worried about, what were their names, the boys who left. That forward pack carries a bit of punch combined with a bit of speed and just a touch of mongrel. Interesting point... At half time my son asked me why Hamish Stewart, nicknamed "Hammer" by the ground announcer (did you notice that?), was being played like a Samu Kerevie, only smaller with fewer line breaks? I think the "Hammer" is not because he is one, but because he gets hit by one. If they are going to do a "Michael Lynagh" and bring him into the No 10 eventually, wouldn't you think there would be more concentration on ball play than crash ball? Otherwise, great entertainment, and you can't get that without the willingness of both teams, though looking at the big screen Thorn did not look overly pleased. I've been critical of the eds's dumb penalties in the past. Tip-tackle aside, I think Friday's game showed some improvement in that area. So congratulations. PS. Great to have schoolboy rugby on the paddock this weekend. But the only way it will continue is if EVERYONE continues with the Covid protocols. None of us are immune to this sneaky little ba$tard, no matter where it comes from.
Julian Taylor
Guest
I thought Friday night's game was played with lots of enterprise and was genuinely exciting. Only when O'Connor started kicking the ball pointlessly back to the force in the last 15 did I feel dissatisfied
mzilikazi
Roar Pro
Nice article, Rhys....good you got to this really entertaining game. First of all really great to see the Force back again, and playing such good rugby. Relieved Qld. have squeezed past them in this game. I thought there were a number of standouts for the Reds. LSL is turning into a very good mobile second row, from having been a slow 6. He has very good general skills ball in hand as well. Fraser McCreight is a real dynamo, and is progressing really well. He may well become a really great player, and not in too long a time. The more I see of Wright this season, the more I am convinced his place is at 6, and not 7. He is developing into a player in the Fardy mould. Hamish Stewart may never play for the Wallabies, but he is very impressive at this level. But someone inform him what the breakdown laws require....two really silly side entries in two weeks spoiling a great attacking position. One player no one has mentioned is the young prop, Dane Zander. He has looked good in the two games I have seen him come on in, more than holding his own in the scrums.
Ex force fan
Guest
We, the Force, is still the firm favourites for the wooden spoon... although competitive we are not at the same level as teams like the Brumbies yet. I hope for a win when we play at home, but even at home will we not be the favourites.
Ex force fan
Guest
Wagner and Ralston impressed as players that can step up to higher honours. The Force will get better through the season and it is the youngsters that step up that will make the difference. If a few more can step up the first upset win is not far away. The Force is competitive and play good rugby - as supporter I cannot ask for more... We are building towards the future.
Ex force fan
Guest
Colours were in my view picked to be close to those of West Coast. As a Force fan, the State colours were reserved for NRC and blue for Superugby. I have no issue with playing in state colours to show that we are not yet in Superugby and use the Force blue colours for special games only.
AndyS
Guest
I always assumed it was clashing with the Hurricanes, which is obviously not a consideration now.
tsuru
Roar Rookie
I’d say you’ll find Force fans now consider blue “traditional“.
Jacko
Guest
Thanks Rhys, I wasnt able to go this week but hoping to get to the next one. The Force impressed me with their ability to run the ball and the Reds could learn a bit from it. Attitude seems to be the big difference. Ive been disapointed with one aspect of McDermotts play this year and thats his speed of pass from the ruck....He seems to want a "Pause for affect" before passing and I wish he would just get on with it....Overall an enjoyable game to watch and good to see the Reds hold on for a win instead of play admirably for a loss
Butcher
Roar Rookie
I was also at the game and thought it was easily the best Super AU game this season. Quality rugby throughout, both teams mostly run good lines and when the Force spun it wide fast the sliding defence of the Reds was left wanting. A big work on for the Reds, cover defence saved the Reds too often (but not always). Please to see the Force back, now for their first win, the way they are playing, it will not be far away. Nice to see the Reds winning, Australian rugby needs either a strong Reds or Waratahs, the Waratahs look like at least a season or two away. My brother in law early last year said Tate McDermott was going to be playing for Australia, I said he got a long way to improve, the way he's currently playing is putting him in the frame, played excellent and not afraid stand top for himself. All in all worth the money to see the game and will be at the next one.
numpty
Roar Rookie
I was impressed with Liam's defensive ruck work. Noticed him multiple times making the force commit 2-3 blokes to clean him out, slowing the ball down etc