12,248 faithful watched our beloved Reds get schooled by the men from the west at Suncorp last Saturday night. This can only be described as a total capitulation. The armwrestle from the beginning appeared that both sides were here to rumble; however, Fraser McReight’s men couldn’t produce the goods and bring home the Easter chocolates. Queensland teams of the past, such as the 2011 Super Rugby Champions, who are celebrating their 15-year anniversary at Suncorp Saturday night, have always prided themselves on defence. Simon Cron’s selection proved a point: Les Kiss must rally his troops, as it doesn’t get any easier hosting the Canterbury Crusaders this Saturday at Lang Park. Kick-off is 7.35pm (remember daylight saving has finished).

The Western Force were the first to cross the paint to lead 7-0 with Argentine rep, Viaolini Ekuasi, in the 11th minute. Soon after, the men in Red equalled the score with a well-executed move off a lineout by birthday boy Treyvon Pritchard, replacement, Tim Ryan, aka the Junkyard Dog. He went through untouched near the posts off a first-phase ball from a lineout. Carter Gordon tied the score at 7-all with the successful conversion. They added to their total due to the smarts of Kalani Thomas to put workhorse Joe Brial crossing the chalk in the 24th minute. The first half finished with ex-Red, Matt Grealy, receiving an offload from captain Nick Champion de Crespigny to score, with Ben Donaldson converting in the 39th minute to go to the break 21-12.

Ben Donaldson was the form five-eighth on the night, bettering his opposite, Carter Gordon. The return of Dylan Pietsch is great for the Wallabies, but he did some damage against the Reds ‘Wallaby-studded backline, running it up strongly. The Western Force just showed more passion to get their Super Rugby Pacific 2026 season back on track.

At half-time, down 12-21, it was anyone’s game, but the Western Force just showed more passion to get their Super Rugby Pacific 2026 season back on track. Led by Captain Nick Champion de Crespigny, the Force played a textbook match, schooling the Reds at their fortress, winning 42-19. Argentinian lock, Franco Molina, scored a double hat-trick.