Western Force hopes of a record-breaking three wins in the opening three rounds of SMARTECH Super Rugby Pacific were dashed by the Queensland Reds who stole a dramatic last minute 28-24 victory at HBF Park on Saturday.
There was no last-gasp win for the Force in Culture Round after their heroics in the last two sensational victories against Moana Pasifika and the Brumbies.
Instead, it was the Reds who snatched victory, with the Force’s only solace being a bonus point for the narrow defeat.
In a nail biter, with the Force three points ahead, the Reds turned down a kickable penalty to draw level and take the game to golden point.
Instead, they went for a line-out and the gamble paid off with Filipo Daugunu forcing his way over. Kalani Thomas added the extras after the siren.
Local hero, flanker Carlo Tizzano took his tally to five tries in three games for the Force with one either side of a five-pointer by Darcy Swain.
Fly-half Ben Donaldson was again faultless with the boot kicking three conversions and a penalty.
Force coach Simon Cron was forced to make two changes to the side that produced the astonishing 45-42 victory over the Brumbies in the second round.
Captain and second-rower Jeremy Williams and centre Sio Tomkinson were both ruled out due to head injury protocols.
Local product Reesjan Pasitoa started in the No.13 jumper, his first appearance in 1,007 days after being hit by injury, including an ACL in 2023 and elbow and shoulder issues the following year. The experienced Sam Carter replaced Williams.
Cron had asked for "no daylight" at the breakdown and the speed of his players to the breakdown was exceptional at times.
The Reds, going for back-to-back victories after their 20-point win over Moana Pasifika in the last round, had early territory and possession.
After soaking up that pressure the Force made inroads using the ball wide and a couple of clever kick behind the defence.
Once in the attacking zone the Force let their forwards go to work and batter the Reds line.
Hooker Nic Dolly was twice denied over the line but when the Force turned down an easy three points and after 12 phases Tizzano emerged from the bottom of the ruck. Donaldson converted.
The forwards got more reward when a great handling move between winger Dylan Peitsch and fullback Mac Grealy was stopped on the line and Swain crashed over. Donaldson converted
But the Reds hit back with two quick tries.
Centre Josh Flook won the race to a Tom Lynagh grubber kick to the corner and then Lynagh had an easy run to the line after the Reds broke the centre channels. Lynagh converted both.
Donaldson put the Force back in the lead with a penalty before the end of the first half where the Force had 64 per cent territory and 55 per cent possession.
After the break three missed tackles on Reds full-back Heremaia Murray ended two passes later with Flook grabbing his second. Lynagh converted to give his side a 21-17 lead.
The Force scrambled successfully a couple of times with the visitors looking to break out from their own half while at the other end the Reds had to muscle up as the Force went 18 phases close to the line before losing the ball.
But the Reds defenders could not stop Tizzano crashing over for a double after a pick-and-go with 10-minutes remaining. Donaldson converted to give his side a 24-21 lead.
Then the drama unfolded.
The Reds turned down a 38-metre kickable penalty with a couple of minutes remaining and they were rewarded when winger Daugunu battled his way over. Thomas converted.
Western Force 24
Tries: Tizzano (15', 68'), Swain (20')
Conversions: Donaldson 3/3
Penalties: Donaldson 1/1
Queensland Reds 28
Tries: Flook (23', 43'), Lynagh (25'), Daugunu (80')
Conversions: Lynagh 2/2, McLaughlin-Phillips 1/1, Thomas 1/1
Penalties: Nil
Crowd: 7,377 @ HBF Park
Western Force Match Report, Powered by Altrad
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