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Super Rugby Pre-Season Trial: Force v Reds

RugbyReg

Rocky Elsom (76)
Staff member
From QRU

QRU Media Release: Queensland Reds defeat Force in opening pre-season trial

The Queensland Reds have opened their 2023 pre-season campaign in comprehensive fashion, securing a 45-10 win over the Western Force in Perth.

In oppressive heat, Queensland scored six tries to two, with Harry Wilson and Harry McLaughlin-Phillips both scoring doubles.

Isaac Henry was strong in the midfield, while co-captain Liam Wright also impressed in the backrow, with the match split into three 30-minute sectors.

Wilson opened the scoring for the Reds, Josh Flook sending the Wallaby backrower over the line with a neat inside ball after Fraser McReight broke the defence 30-metres out from the try line. Henry made no mistake with the conversion to open up a 7-nil lead in the 12th minute.

A Henry penalty soon extended Queensland’s advantage to 10, as both sides struggled to hold onto the ball in 37-degree heat.

The Force had their first of the afternoon through winger Zach Kibirige, who dotted down in the corner to finish an exciting counterattacking try and bring the scores to 10-5 at the first break.

Wilson had his second in the 41st minute, the number-eight hitting and spinning out of a tackle from close range to score. Henry added his second conversion to bring the scores to 17-5.

Ryan Smith crossed for Queensland’s third close to the 60-minute mark, the lock bulldozing his way over the line after receiving a Wilson short ball as the Reds began to dominate proceedings in Perth. Tom Lynagh slotted his first conversion of the day to give the visitors a 24-5 lead with half-an-hour to play.

Kalani Thomas scored early in the final third of play, the scrumhalf collecting the ball slicing through the Force’s lineout defence and streaking 20-metres to score. Lynagh again converted to make the scores 31-5.

The home side scored their second through Campbell Parata, before a late double to Harry McLaughlin-Phillips saw Queensland run out 45-10 winners.

The Souths youngster dove over out wide courtesy of a Hunter Paisami long ball for his first try, before showing his class to score his side’s sixth and final try soon after.

Playing on the wing, McLaughlin-Phillips miraculously kept a Force clearing kick in play, before recollecting the ball from his inside man and dashing 50-metres to score in the corner. Lynagh converted both scores from the lefthand touchline, giving Queensland a 35-point win.

The Reds travel to Narrabri next weekend to take on the New South Wales Waratahs in the Santos Festival of Rugby. Tickets available via https://bit.ly/3DHmYWq.

Western Force 10

Tries: Zach Kibirige, Campbell Parata

Queensland Reds 45

Tries: Harry Wilson 2, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips 2, Ryan Smith, Kalani Thomas,
Conversions: Tom Lynagh 4, Isaac Henry 2
Penalties: Henry
 

PhilClinton

Mark Loane (55)
No Vunivalu…more injury issues or been held back?

I’ve been wondering who Navosailagi is in the squad to cover?


I know this was a trial game so that information probably wasnt a priority for them, but I would like some more transparency on that stuff during the season.

Even a squad page on the SRP (Super Rugby Pacific) website which lists players are ‘active’ ‘day to day’ or ‘unavailable’ with an expected return date, would be really handy. Other major sports are able to do that.
 
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RugbyReg

Rocky Elsom (76)
Staff member
And congrats to the Force’s media intern who has just watched their first game of rugby.

“ In a hugely entertaining contest, the Force showed immense determination in their first pre-season match on home soil for the 2023 Super season.

Seven players ran on in the starting XV for the first time in the Force Jersey including English duo Sam Spink and Zach Kibirige, with returning Wallabies Tom Robertson and Folau Fainga'a impressing at scrum time.

Izack Rodda looked dominant in the set piece calling lineouts, upon his return after over six months, with the men in blue stealing three in the first 10 minutes.

Precise kicking from flyhalf Hamish Stewart early on saw plenty of meters covered with an even spread of play at both ends.

Wanneroo product Ollie Callan drove through, causing strife for the opposition's defensive structure. A line-out steal by Sydney recruit Jeremy Williams shifted patterns, encouraging a kick deep in the pocket 3 minutes in.

Force rode the momentum from their opening form continuing sustained attacking pressure on the Reds defence in the opening stages. 12 minutes in saw Reds back-rower Harry Wilson over the line, converted by Tom Lyanch (0-7).

A Reds penalty soon extended their advantage to 10, as both sides battled it out in 37-degree heat.

Soon after, Force's formidable international front powered through, turning over a crucial maul at the 20-minute mark, with Stewart soaring a kick far down into the opposition's 20.

The Force retaliated with English recruit Zach Kibirige kicking over the Reds fullback, chasing down and cementing on the line in the final minute of the first 30' (5-10). Kibirige's first try in Force the Force jersey was his own, nailing the left wing.

With defensive pressure dominant in the first 30, the starting line-up remained unchanged. Force's back-row put in a shift early on in the second set, a lapse on the line allowed Harry Wilson to cross for a second time, converted by Lynagh (5-17).

Lock Ryan Smith skated through for the Reds third at the 60-minute mark, and Lyanch converted (5-21).

Fresh legs made an appearance soon after, Issak Fines, Feleti Kaitu'u, Ryan McCauley, Angus Wagner and Wilton Rebolo, instantly shifting the momentum, winning a crucial scrum on the Reds try line.

Stewart continued to set the pace, outrunning Wallabies winger Filipo Daugunu, completing a try-saving tackle deep into their danger zone. The Force lifted as Jackson Pugh and Nikolai Kinalea ran on at the 67' mark. A slick pass from the Reds backline saw scrum-half Kalani Thomas Peirce trough, converted by Lyanch (5-31)

Moments later Campbell Parata runs on and smothers a kick deep into the opposition's line. The Force were quick to capitalise as Parata crossed the line with the assistance of Hooker Tom Horton (10-35). A monumental first try for Parata in the Force Jersey.

The Force showed fight in the final minutes with plenty of gas to burn. A leap of faith by young gun, RD14 debutant Reece Tapine right in the corner, a toe on the paint denied the try.

Two quick Harry McLaughlin-Phillips tries in the corner pocket saw the Reds finish their try package (10-45)

It was fantastic to see so many Force Members and fans down at UWA Sports park in support of our first hit out for the season.

Scorers Western Force: Tries: Zach Kibirige (30’), Campbell Parata (91'). Reds: Tries: Harry Wilson (2), Harry McLaughlin-Phillips (2), Ryan Smith, Kalani Thomas, 
 Conversions: Tom Lynagh (4), Isaac Henry (2) Penalties: Henry”
 

RugbyReg

Rocky Elsom (76)
Staff member
Anyone go and get a sense of the tackling? Were there any cards or are players learning to go low?
 

7137

Alex Ross (28)
And congrats to the Force’s media intern who has just watched their first game of rugby.

“ In a hugely entertaining contest, the Force showed immense determination in their first pre-season match on home soil for the 2023 Super season.

Seven players ran on in the starting XV for the first time in the Force Jersey including English duo Sam Spink and Zach Kibirige, with returning Wallabies Tom Robertson and Folau Fainga'a impressing at scrum time.

Izack Rodda looked dominant in the set piece calling lineouts, upon his return after over six months, with the men in blue stealing three in the first 10 minutes.

Precise kicking from flyhalf Hamish Stewart early on saw plenty of meters covered with an even spread of play at both ends.

Wanneroo product Ollie Callan drove through, causing strife for the opposition's defensive structure. A line-out steal by Sydney recruit Jeremy Williams shifted patterns, encouraging a kick deep in the pocket 3 minutes in.

Force rode the momentum from their opening form continuing sustained attacking pressure on the Reds defence in the opening stages. 12 minutes in saw Reds back-rower Harry Wilson over the line, converted by Tom Lyanch (0-7).

A Reds penalty soon extended their advantage to 10, as both sides battled it out in 37-degree heat.

Soon after, Force's formidable international front powered through, turning over a crucial maul at the 20-minute mark, with Stewart soaring a kick far down into the opposition's 20.

The Force retaliated with English recruit Zach Kibirige kicking over the Reds fullback, chasing down and cementing on the line in the final minute of the first 30' (5-10). Kibirige's first try in Force the Force jersey was his own, nailing the left wing.

With defensive pressure dominant in the first 30, the starting line-up remained unchanged. Force's back-row put in a shift early on in the second set, a lapse on the line allowed Harry Wilson to cross for a second time, converted by Lynagh (5-17).

Lock Ryan Smith skated through for the Reds third at the 60-minute mark, and Lyanch converted (5-21).

Fresh legs made an appearance soon after, Issak Fines, Feleti Kaitu'u, Ryan McCauley, Angus Wagner and Wilton Rebolo, instantly shifting the momentum, winning a crucial scrum on the Reds try line.

Stewart continued to set the pace, outrunning Wallabies winger Filipo Daugunu, completing a try-saving tackle deep into their danger zone. The Force lifted as Jackson Pugh and Nikolai Kinalea ran on at the 67' mark. A slick pass from the Reds backline saw scrum-half Kalani Thomas Peirce trough, converted by Lyanch (5-31)

Moments later Campbell Parata runs on and smothers a kick deep into the opposition's line. The Force were quick to capitalise as Parata crossed the line with the assistance of Hooker Tom Horton (10-35). A monumental first try for Parata in the Force Jersey.

The Force showed fight in the final minutes with plenty of gas to burn. A leap of faith by young gun, RD14 debutant Reece Tapine right in the corner, a toe on the paint denied the try.

Two quick Harry McLaughlin-Phillips tries in the corner pocket saw the Reds finish their try package (10-45)

It was fantastic to see so many Force Members and fans down at UWA Sports park in support of our first hit out for the season.

Scorers Western Force: Tries: Zach Kibirige (30’), Campbell Parata (91'). Reds: Tries: Harry Wilson (2), Harry McLaughlin-Phillips (2), Ryan Smith, Kalani Thomas, 
 Conversions: Tom Lynagh (4), Isaac Henry (2) Penalties: Henry”
This is what you get when you instruct GP chat to write a match report but make it sound like the Force won
 

Sam Old

Herbert Moran (7)
Good to see Alex Davies in the Reds squad. A very good player I reckon.

What’s with that force team? Heaps of injuries? And they’re having an internal trial after the game? With who??
Good for the lad but a few Presidents XV props and others in Prem grade that owned UQs scrum last year would be a bit surprised I reckon.
 

LeCheese

Greg Davis (50)
Now the game’s done, I’m even more pissed about not having a stream. The first opportunity of the season to see what Lynagh’s made of, how Stewart goes at 10, the returns of Henry and Wright, etc. and we miss it. Unacceptable tbh
 
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Wilson

Phil Kearns (64)
Highlights on Instagram. From report it sounds like the Reds starting front row got worked over a bit, also sounds like Hamish kicked well from 5/8.

https://www.reddit.com/r/RugbyAustralia/comments/10tymnv
Yeah, definitely heard the scrum struggled, but they started with Ravai at tighthead and Tauakipulu in the locks, not exactly the standard configuration, so It's hard to know how indicative it'll be. Heat can't have helped either, depending on when the relative changes were made.
 

Adam84

Rod McCall (65)
Yeah, definitely heard the scrum struggled, but they started with Ravai at tighthead and Tauakipulu in the locks, not exactly the standard configuration, so It's hard to know how indicative it'll be. Heat can't have helped either, depending on when the relative changes were made.
I thought Sula-Siaosi started at THP? And Zander LHP? hard to tell from the highlights but that’s what Jim Tucker suggested earlier this week
 
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