Round 5 Western Force v Queensland Reds

[Burgs]

Star duo return to bolster Force line-up for Round 5 Reds' clash

Wed, Mar 20, 2024, 10:59 AM
Ben Somerford

The Western Force have been bolstered by the returns of Sam Spink and Nic White following injuries for Saturday’s Round 5 Super Rugby Pacific clash with the Queensland Reds at HBF Park.

Reigning Nathan Sharpe medalist Spink (calf) returns at outside centre after being unavailable for the past two games, while Wallabies scrum-half White is back at 9 after missing last Friday with a swollen knee.

Spink’s return sees a re-shuffle of the Force backline with Harry Potter moving to full-back and Bayley Kuenzle shifting across to right wing after impressing in his past two starts.

With Spink and White’s returns, Max Burey and Issak Fines-Leleiwasa move to the reserves. Hooker Ben Funnell also comes into the team as a finisher.

Saturday’s game, which kicks off at 4:35pm, is part of a double-header with the Force-Reds’ Buildcorp Super Rugby Women’s game commencing at 2:05pm.

The double-header is themed Kids’ Round with the first 1,500 kids through the gates at HBF Park to receive a $20 food and beverage voucher to spend at the game. The vouchers will be distributed at Gate 1, via the Western Force Cheer Crew.

The game will be live on 9GEM and Stan Sport, while there will be regular updates @WesternForce on social media.

Game details

Western Force v Queensland Reds

HBF Park, 4:35pm WST

Live on 9GEM and Stan Sport

Force

1. Ryan Coxon
2. Tom Horton
3. Santiago Medrano
4. Thomas Franklin
5. Jeremy Williams (c)
6. Tim Anstee
7. Carlo Tizzano
8. Will Harris
9. Nic White
10. Ben Donaldson
11. Chase Tiatia
12. Hamish Stewart
13. Sam Spink
14. Bayley Kuenzle
15. Harry Potter

16. Ben Funnell
17. Josh Bartlett
18. Tiaan Tauakipulu
19. Lopeti Faifua
20. Reed Prinsep
21. Issak Fines-Leleiwasa
22. Max Burey
23. George Poolman

Reds

1. Peni Ravai
2. Matt Faessler
3. Zane Nonggorr
4. Seru Uru
5. Ryan Smith
6. Liam Wright (cc)
7. Fraser McReight
8. Harry Wilson
9. Tate McDermott (cc)
10. Tom Lynagh
11. Mac Grealy
12: Hunter Paisami
13. Josh Flook
14. Suliasi Vunivalu
15. Jock Campbell

 

16. Josh Nasser
17. George Blake
18. Jeffery Toomaga-Allen
19. Cormac Daly - Norths
20. John Bryant
21. Kalani Thomas
22. Harry McLaughlin-Phillips
23. Taj Annan

[Burgs]

Queensland Reds announce team to play Western Force in Round 5

Wed, Mar 20, 2024, 10:48 AM
Reds Media Unit

The return of 24-Test Wallaby Hunter Paisami is timely for the Queensland Reds as they approach Saturday night’s clash against the Western Force in Perth in Super Rugby Pacific.

The strong-running Paisami has been selected at inside centre where he will replace Isaac Henry, who suffered a season-ending knee injury against the Melbourne Rebels last Friday night.

Young utility back Taj Annan comes onto the bench to replace Wallaby Jordan Petaia, who is going through the HIA protocols.

Knowing Paisami is back is a reassuring positive for Reds head coach Les Kiss.

“Before being sidelined, Hunter was in top form with his consistently solid performances. He is a plus for us,” Kiss said.

“Our analysis of the Force shows they are playing periods of really good rugby. We played and lost to them in a trial at Ballymore six weeks ago so we know how tough an opponent they will be on their home ground.

“We have to concentrate on our own game to keep our standards high. We know we put ourselves under pressure against the Rebels in the second half last game so there have been areas of our game to work on.

“The guys are a very tight group and this opportunity on the road is another chance to keep improving.”

At flyhalf, Tom Lynagh returns to the starting line-up with Harry McLaughlin-Phillips ready to act as a valuable finisher from the bench.

How difficult it is to win in Perth is reflected by the Reds’ 2022 win reversing previous losses at HBF Park in 2021 and 2017.

Henry faces a six-to-nine month recovery period after undergoing surgery to repair the ruptured patella tendon he sustained against the Rebels in Melbourne.

“Isaac has had his surgery and now knows his pathway. He’s a tough, resilient character who knows how to fightback as we know he will,” Kiss said.

Annan, 20, comes onto the bench for the first time this season after encouraging game time for the Reds Development XV in three games against Easts (Sydney), Souths, Brothers-University of Queensland.

“Like a number of our players, Taj got great value out of the Development XV games. He played in several positions through those games and we consider him really good cover from flyhalf to fullback,” Kiss said.

Annan made his debut for the Reds last season with three starts in the centres amongst his seven appearances.

The Reds sit second on the table with three wins and a loss from their opening four games.

The Reds are playing the second leg of a double-header with the Reds women’s team to meet the Western Force from 4.05pm AEST in Buildcorp Super Rugby Women’s.

“It’s fantastic to be having a double-header with the Reds’ women and we’ll be there in support in Perth,” Kiss said.

Queensland Reds v Western Force
Saturday 23 March

HBF Park, Perth 
 6:35pm AEST

Watch live via 9GEM and Stan Sport 
 


1. Peni Ravai – Easts – Ratu Kadavulevu School, Fiji 

2. Matt Faessler – Brothers – Toowoomba Grammar School – USQ Saints 

3. Zane Nonggorr – Bond University – The Southport School – Gold Coast Eagles 

4. Seru Uru – Wests – Ratu Kadavulevu School, Fiji – Namoli Rugby Club, Fiji 

5. Ryan Smith – Brothers – St Patrick’s College, Shorncliffe – Caboolture Snakes 

6. Liam Wright (cc) – Easts – Anglican Church Grammar School - Easts
7. Fraser McReight – Brothers – Brisbane Grammar School – Albany Creek Brumbies
8. Harry Wilson – Brothers – St Joseph’s College Gregory Terrace – Gunnedah Red Devils
9. Tate McDermott (cc) University of Queensland – Sunshine Coast Grammar School – Flinders Rugby Club 

10. Tom Lynagh – University of Queensland- Epsom College, England – Richmond Rugby Club 

11. Mac Grealy – University of Queensland – Downlands College – Souths Toowoomba 

12: Hunter Paisami – Wests – Mangere College, Auckland 

13. Josh Flook – Brothers – St Joseph’s Nudgee College - Brothers 

14. Suliasi Vunivalu – Wests – Saint Kentigern College, Auckland 

15. Jock Campbell – University of Queensland – The Southport School – Inverell Highlanders 
 


16. Josh Nasser – University of Queensland – St Joseph’s Gregory Terrace-Easts 

17. George Blake - Bond University - The Southport School - Fasi Maufanga Eels, Tonga 

18. Jeffery Toomaga-Allen - Norths - Wellington College, NZ 

19. Cormac Daly - Norths – Ul Riada, Ireland – North Kildare/Kilcock GAA, Ireland 

20. John Bryant - Souths - St Laurence’s College - Souths 

21. Kalani Thomas – University of Queensland – Ipswich Grammar School - Souths 

22. Harry McLaughlin-Phillips - Souths – Brisbane Boys’ College – Gunnedah Red Devils
23. Taj Annan – Souths – Brisbane Boys College – Merewether Carlton

[Tazzmania]

That must be close to our best starting backline.

With so many injured forwards, I am happy to see Coxon getting another chance (hopefully no 22 drop outs this week). Princep to bring an older head to the final quarter. Fiafua to get time off the bench is the correct way to go.

Fines and Bury to close out with a bit of speed.

[jargan83]

Hopefully the flight west gives the Reds some jet lag because this could get ugly.

[GIGS20]

This is a good set of changes, I hope the focus issues of the past four rounds are starting to be behind us.

Potter to fullback and Burey to cover multiple positions is smart, not so sure about Kuenzle on the wing, but hopefully some positional flexibility with Spink will sort it.

We're massively up against it in this game, the Reds are on fire and we're.......well.......not Hopefully we put together a performance we can be proud of and hopefully (head)Hunter Paisami is judged to the same standard Carlo was last week.

I will be happy with a brave defeat this week.

[valzc]

REF: Murphy AR: Coops
FFS!

[andrewg]

REF: Murphy AR: Coops
FFS!

It's what happens when you're not winning

I'll be happy with a sustained effort and hopefully a win at home.

[shasta]

So Coops is back to the bench after finally getting a shot at centre stage this season. Seems those clangers last Friday didn't go unnoticed.

[chiraag]

Any news on Rodda's recovery? Was kind of hoping he'd be back around now...

[shasta]

[Burgs]

Queensland wary of wounded Force as Paisami, Annan rejoin matchday squad

Wed, Mar 20, 2024, 11:45 AM
Lachlan Grey

The Reds have waved away suggestions their side are title contenders ahead of Queensland's Round 5 clash, saying all eyes are fixed on their derby against Western Force.

The second game of Saturday's Super Rugby double-header at HBF Park looms a banana-skin game for Les Kiss' outfit with Simon Cron's winless Force desperate for a breakthrough in 2024.

Click here to see all the Round 5 Super Rugby Pacific team news. “Our analysis of the Force shows they are playing periods of really good rugby. We played and lost to them in a trial at Ballymore six weeks ago so we know how tough an opponent they will be on their home ground," Kiss said.

“We have to concentrate on our own game to keep our standards high.

"We know we put ourselves under pressure against the Rebels in the second half last game so there have been areas of our game to work on."

While the third-placed Reds are undoubtedly favoured to topple the Force this weekend, assistant coach Zane Hilton believes his side will pay the price if they fail to respect all opponents equally.

"Being talked about as contenders is probably a bit of a stretch, let's be perfectly honest. We're only Round 4 and we've won one game on the road," Hilton told media on Monday.

"You’ve got to respect the competition. If you don’t’ respect the competition itself, it has the tendency to really hurt you so we’ve just got to treat every game as it is at the moment, respect that, and go back to work every Monday and just continue to get better."

In other changes to the Reds lineup, Tom Lynagh reclaims the #10 jersey from Harry McLaughlin Phillips while Hunter Paisami and Taj Annan rejoin the matchday squad.

Paisami is a straight swap for the injured Isaac Henry (knee) while Taj Annan replaces Jordan Petaia (HIA protocol).

[boof1050]

REF: Murphy AR: Coops
FFS!

So much for a running game of rugby!
At least our penalty count average will stay the same!

[brokendown gunfighter]

the Maxwell Smart cone of silence?

[shasta]

the Maxwell Smart cone of silence?

I think the medical staff have an upgraded model. It's the Black Hole model - nothing escapes!

[WFDom]

REF: Murphy AR: Coops
FFS!

Oh you mean Damon Murphy from Queesnsland, who went to Nudgee and players for Bothers? 🙄

We’re fu@ked!