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"The main difference between playing League and Union is that now I get my hangovers on Monday instead of Sunday - Tom David
Round 3 - Super Rugby Pacific
Force outplayed by travelling Reds
Despite a strong showing from the Western Force, the Queensland Reds proved too good at HBF Park, with the reigning Super Rugby AU champions claiming a 29-16 win.
Full-back Jake Strachan opened the scoring after six minutes with a perfectly executed penalty goal to give the Force an early 3-0 lead.
The Reds responded swiftly, with Hamish Stewart crossing over for a try following a strong line break. James O’Connor converted to make the score 3-7 in favour of the visitors after seven minutes.
In a see-sawing opening to the contest, the home side pushed hard to regain the lead with an abundance of territory and attacking pressure.
The Reds stood firm and, on the counter-attack, scored their second of the night through Jock Campbell at the 25 minute mark. O’Connor was unable to convert (3-12).
The end-to-end nature of the match continued at the half hour mark, with vice-captain Kyle Godwin pouncing on Issak Fines-Leleiwasa’s clever kick over the top of the Reds defence in acrobatic fashion. Godwin’s second try in as many games was successfully converted by Strachan (10-12).
Strachan added another three points after 38 minutes, with a successful penalty goal to give the Force a narrow advantage (13-12).
Just as the Force looked to finish the half on top, O’Connor slotted a penalty goal through after the siren to regain the lead for his side (13-15).
The early stages of the second half saw the game become a rugged arm wrestle between the two sides, with Taniela Tupou seemingly scoring a try, but was judged to have not released the ball in the first phase.
Strachan kicked true again, as the full-back added three points for the Force with a straightforward penalty goal to regain the lead with 62 minutes played (16-15).
Josh Flook hit back for the Reds just two minutes later, with the winger touching down in the corner following O’Connor’s well-placed grubber kick. O’Connor continued an impressive performance with a conversion to give the Reds a six-point lead (16-22).
Quick hands from the Reds led to Fraser McReight racing over for the Reds fourth try in the 70th minute, which O’Connor converted to seal the win (16-29).
The Force refused to lie down over the 80 minutes showing great resilience throughout, but the Reds proved too clinical in front of a passionate WA crowd.
Tim Sampson’s side will look to return to winning ways next week when they head east to take on the NSW Waratahs in Round 4 at Leichhardt Oval on Sunday, 13 March.
Scorers:
Western Force – Try: Kyle Godwin (30’). Conversion: Jake Strachan. Penalty Goals: Jake Strachan (3).
Queensland Reds – Tries: Hamish Stewart (7’), Jock Campbell (25’), Josh Flook (64’), Fraser McReight (70’). Conversions: James O’Connor (3). Penalty Goal: James O’Connor.
These match reports was brought to you by PS Structures.
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Exile
Port Macquarie
"Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows. It’s a very mean and nasty place and I don’t care how tough you are it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain’t about how hard ya hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done! Now if you know what you’re worth then go out and get what you’re worth. But ya gotta be willing to take the hits, and not pointing fingers saying you ain’t where you wanna be because of him, or her, or anybody! Cowards do that and that ain’t you! You’re better than that!" - Rocky Balboa