Editor
Western Force
20
Match Complete
Queensland Reds
71
78 | J. O'Connor | |||
76 | J. Flook | |||
75 | J. O'Connor | |||
74 | F. Daugunu | |||
B. Hegarty | 72 | |||
J. Pugh | 71 | |||
62 | J. O'Connor | |||
61 | L. Wright | |||
56 | J. O'Connor | |||
55 | S. Vunivalu | |||
51 | T. Lynagh | |||
50 | F. Daugunu | |||
45 | T. Lynagh | |||
45 | M. Faessler | |||
37 | T. Lynagh | |||
36 | J. Flook | |||
F. Fainga'a | 30 | |||
23 | H. Wilson | |||
17 | T. Lynagh | |||
B. Hegarty | 13 | |||
Z. Kibirige | 10 | |||
7 | T. Lynagh | |||
6 | J. Petaia | |||
6 | T. Lynagh | |||
5 | R. Smith |
3 | Tries | 10 | ||
1 | Conversions | 9 | ||
1 | Penalty Goals | 1 | ||
0 | Field Goals | 0 |
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The Queensland Reds have welcomed back four big guns for their match against the Western Force in Melbourne. .Join The Roar for live scores and rolling coverage from 4:30pm (AEDT).
The Reds have won four of their past five games against the Force but only enjoy a 12-10 win loss record with one draw. The Force have won their past three matches in the comp – the longest winning stretch since their five in a row back in 2014. The Force struggle outside WA – winning just three of their past 16 games elsewhere in Australia.
Co-captain Liam Wright will return to the side at blindside flanker after a week’s lay-off with concussion, while fellow Wallabies Suliasi Vunivalu, James O’Connor and Jock Campbell will also feature in their first matches of 2023 for the Reds.
Campbell is in line to play his 50th Queensland game off the bench.
Head coach Brad Thorn said: “We’re looking forward to getting down to Melbourne for Super Round. Having all 12 teams in the one city is a great spectacle for our game.
“The Force kicked off their season with a good win last week, they’ll be a tough contest as always.
“We’ll welcome back Liam, Suli, James and Jock. They’re all experienced players who will bring a lot to our team.”
Wright’s inclusion sees Seru Uru shift to lock where he’ll partner Ryan Smith, with Harry Wilson and Fraser McReight starting in the backrow.
Wallabies hooker Folau Fainga’a and Manasa Mataele return for the Force.
Fainga’a will start at hooker for the first time in the Force jersey. Consistent front rowers Robertson and Medrano add weight against a hard-hitting Reds uniform.
Mataele returns to the right wing after pulling up tight moments before the team was due to run on at HBF Park.
Fresh out of his short-lived retirement, comeback king Jeremy Thrush earns a start after securing the match-winning try in the final minutes of last week’s home game, partnering with Williams as the locking combination makes for an exciting duo.
Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne
Kick-off: 4:30pm (AEDT)
Streaming: Stan Sport
Betting: Force $2.90, Reds $1.42 – odds via PlayUp
Teams
Force (1-15): Tom Robertson, Folau Fainga’a, Santiago Medrano, Jeremy Williams, Jeremy Thrush, Tim Anstee, Ollie Callan, Michael Wells, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Bryce Hegarty, Zach Kibirige, Hamish Stewart, Bayley Kuenzle, Manasa Mataele, Chase Tiatia.
Replacements: Tom Horton, Angus Wagner, Siosifa Amone, Felix Kalapu, Jackson Pugh, Ian Prior, George Poolman, Jake Strachan.https://www.theroar.com.au/robots.txt?upapi=trueADAdvertisement
Reds (1-15): Dane Zander, Matt Faessler, Zane Nonggorr, Ryan Smith, Seru Uru Liam Wright, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson, Tate McDermott, Tom Lynagh, Filipo Daugunu, Hunter Paisami, Josh Flook, Suliasi Vunivalu, Jordan Petaia
Replacements: Richie Asiata, Sef Fa’agase, Peni Ravai, Jake Upfield, Connor Anderson, Kalani Thomas, James O’Connor, Jock Campbell.
Referee: Paul Williams
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