The Queensland Reds have extended their undefeated start to the Super Rugby Pacific competition with a courageous 29-16 bonus-point victory over the Western Force at HBF Park.
In a week where flood-hit Queenslanders battled adversity, the Reds were able to provide fans from their home state with a smile from Perth.
After a disrupted week of training and travel, the side performed with spirit and grit as the Force threw everything at them in what was the West Australian's first home game since last year.
Hooker Matt Faessler became the 1368th player to represent Queensland in the win as the Reds ran in four tries to one in perfect conditions in the West Australian capital.
James O’Connor orchestrated two brilliant Reds tries in the first 40-minutes to give his side a narrow 15-13 lead at half-time.
O’Connor put flanker Fraser McReight into space with a crisp short-ball, who then linked with centre Hamish Stewart on his inside to score the Reds’ first five-pointer in the eighth-minute.
The flyhalf was in the action again when put Jordan Petaia into space with another deft ball later in the half. Jock Campbell went on to receive the final pass from his winger and flashed over and extend the lead at 12-3 in the 27th minute.
With a try to Kyle Godwin and three penalties from Jake Strachan, the Force hit back to lead 16-15 in the 64th minute.
However, O’Connor and his outside men dragged themselves back in the game to eventually clinch a 13-point win.
Josh Flook started the comeback, snatching a centimetre-perfect O’Connor grubber and tiptoeing his way down the sideline to score and put the Reds back into the lead.
A mesmerising O’Connor short ball sent a flying McReight over the line and put the result out of question in the 70th minute, the Reds claiming a 29-16 win.
After consecutive victories on the road, the men in maroon return home to host the Fijian Drua at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday 12 March in a huge double header with the Queensland Super W side. Tickets are available via reds.rugby.
Queensland Reds 29
Tries: Stewart, Campbell, Flook, McReight
Conversions: O’Connor 3
Penalties: O’Connor
Western Force 16
Tries: Godwin
Conversions: Strachan
Penalties: Strachan 3
