2024 Round 14 Reds v Force

[Burgs]

Leahy to debut as Force name settled team list for Reds trip

Wed, May 22, 2024, 11:57 AM
Ben Somerford

Winger Ronan Leahy will make his debut as the only change to a settled Western Force team for Saturday’s Super Rugby Pacific clash with the Queensland Reds at Suncorp Stadium.

The 20-year-old Fortescue Academy member will get his maiden opportunity in the starting XV on the left wing fresh from starring for Australia at the U20 Rugby Championships, where he was named in the Team of the Tournament.

UWA winger and St Joseph’s College product Leahy, who’ll earn Force cap 261, scored two tries during the club’s two pre-season games earlier this season and played in last year’s Toyota Challenge against the Cheetahs. Chase Tiatia will start as one of the finishers.

The Force otherwise have named a settled side, with no changes to the forward pack for the first time this season following back-to-back wins over the NSW Waratahs and Fijian Drua.

Kurtley Beale has been named and is expected to be available, despite the planned birth of his second child on Wednesday. The squad will fly to Brisbane on Thursday.

Kick-off in Brisbane is 5:35pm WST with the game to be broadcast live on 9GEM and streamed on Stan Sport, with regular updates @WesternForce on social media.

Game details

Queensland Reds v Western Force

Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Saturday 25 May, 5:35pm WST

Live on 9GEM and Stan Sport

Force

1. Harry Hoopert
2. Tom Horton
3. Santiago Medrano
4. Jeremy Williams (c)
5. Izack Rodda
6. Will Harris
7. Carlo Tizzano
8. Reed Prinsep
9. Nic White
10. Ben Donaldson
11. Ronan Leahy
12. Hamish Stewart
13. Bayley Kuenzle
14. George Poolman
15. Kurtley Beale

16 Feleti Kaitu’u
17. Marley Pearce
18. Tiaan Tauakipulu
19. Lopeti Faifua
20. Michael Wells
21. Issak Fines-Leleiwasa
22. Sam Spink
23. Chase Tiatia

Josh Flook returns for 50th Queensland game as Reds name Indigenous Round team

Wed, May 22, 2024, 11:49 AM
Queensland Rugby Media Unit

Josh Flook returns at outside centre to play his 50th game for the Queensland Reds in Saturday night’s Indigenous Round clash against the Western Force at Suncorp Stadium.

Flook’s selection is one of eight changes to the starting side for the team’s last regular season home game as the fifth-placed Reds zero in on a strong finish to their Super Rugby Pacific campaign.

In other selection news, Tom Lynagh returns at flyhalf, former All Blacks prop Alex Hodgman will start after an 80-minute hit-out for his club Sunnybank last weekend and Wallaby Matt Faessler is back at hooker.

Former All Black Jeffery Toomaga-Allen is also starting at prop and Seru Uru returns to the lock position he occupied so well in the first half of the season. Mac Grealy and Tim Ryan are the wing pair.

Flook’s 50-game milestone arrives in his fifth season for the Reds. He has made a strong impression on Reds head coach Les Kiss.

“He personifies the quality of a player who the players love to play with and coaches love to coach,” Kiss said.

“’Flooky’ has excellent timing in attack and defence and that helps give him the upper hand in playing outside centre.

“He’s having a season he can be very proud of. To reach 50 games for Queensland is well deserved.”

Kiss said Lynagh was training fully after a niggle and might even have played StoreLocal Hospital Cup rugby for his club last weekend but for University of Queensland having a bye. He will take on the playmaking role at No. 10.

“It’s Tom’s chance to lead from No.10. We’ve seen his strong form earlier in the season," Kiss said.

“James O’Connor will continue his good, solid progression (with a third game off the bench). That experience is valuable at this time of the season.”

Kiss said the experience in the front-row was another strong building block within the team.

“Alex performed well in 80 minutes for his club last weekend and Matt Faessler is back after a freshening up week,” Kiss added.

The Reds fell 40-31 to the Force when they visited Perth in March so Kiss is well aware of the threat coming to Suncorp Stadium.

“We recognise we need to be at our best against the Force. They have found their groove over the past five weeks,” Kiss said.

“They have been playing some impressive rugby.

“We are looking forward to playing strongly at Suncorp Stadium in our last home game before the finals.”

Queensland Reds v Western Force

Saturday 25 May Suncorp Stadium

7:35pm AEST

Watch live Stan Sport and 9GEM

1. Alex Hodgman – Sunnybank – Mount Albert Grammar School, Auckland – Suburbs Rugby Football Club, Auckland
2. Matt Faessler – Brothers – Toowoomba Grammar School – USQ Saints
3. Jeffery Toomaga-Allen - Norths - Wellington College, NZ
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. John Bryant - Souths - St Laurence’s College - Souths
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. Tim Ryan – Brothers – St Patrick’s College, Shorncliffe
15. Jock Campbell – University of Queensland – The Southport School – Inverell Highlanders

16. Josh Nasser – University of Queensland - St Joseph’s Gregory Terrace - Easts
17. Sef Fa’agase – Sunnybank – Shailer Park State High School – Beaudesert Warriors
18. Zane Nonggorr – Bond University – The Southport School – Gold Coast Eagles
19. Connor Vest – Souths - Grafton High School - Grafton Junior Rugby Club
20. Joe Brial – University of Queensland – Scots College – Easts, Sydney
21. Kalani Thomas – University of Queensland – Ipswich Grammar School - Souths
22. James O’Connor – Brothers - St Joseph’s Nudgee College - Brothers
23. Taj Annan – Souths – Brisbane Boys’ College – Merewether Carlton

Referee: Damon Murphy

Assistant Referees: Jorday Way, Jeremy Markey

[WFDom]

Terrible quality video..... incredible finish!!!!

3 in a row???? Lets go!!!!

[Burgs]

Updated, big news for Leahy!

[The InnFORCEr]

Only four changes in the Reds starting team from back in March and two of those are straight bench swaps.

[GIGS20]

Looking at that Reds team it's a big ask, but I said exactly the same team before we belted them earlier this season.

Yes it's in Brissy

Yes we have to put up with the unpredictability of Damon Murphy

I don't care, let's smash these Banana Benders!

[valzc]

Murphy………..

[Burgs]

Former U20s flyers to collide as Reds prepare for Sea of Blue

Wed, May 22, 2024, 1:30 PM
Lachlan Grey

Two of Australia's brightest young wingers will go head-to-head in Round 14 of Super Rugby Pacific clash when the Western Force head to Suncorp Stadium.

Australia U20 vice captain Ronan Leahy has been named to make his Force debut on the left wing following a breakout TRC U20 where he was named in the tournament XV.

As luck would have it, he'll be marking a former Australia U20 teammate in Queensland's breakout star of the season, Tim Ryan.

Ryan - AKA "The Junkyard Dog" - partnered Leahy on the wing during last year's U20 World Championship with the pair scoring three tries between them in a knockout win over New Zealand.

Now, they'll collide in just one of the delicious individual match-ups on offer in Saturday's Reds-Force clash.

"I'm just riding the wave at the moment," Ryan told media on Wednesday.

"There's lot of young talent coming through. I'm really just focused on the Reds and the big couple of weeks ahead."

While the Ryan-Leahy contest could hold a glimmer of future gold, there's plenty to like about the other wing match-up with Mac Grealy marking George Poolman.

Looking further infield, Hunter Paisami will collide with former Red Hamish Stewart while tight forwards Harry Hoopert and Izack Rodda boast 94 Queensland caps between them prior to their move across the Nullarbor.

There's no shortage of motivation from either side with the Reds none from two against the Force this season and eager to mark Josh Flook's 50th cap (at just 22 years old) with a win.

Flook will play through an AC joint injury in his bid to deliver Queensland fans a victory in what likely looms their final home game of the season.

In a statement, Reds coach Les Kiss said Flook "personifies the quality of a player who the players love to play with and coaches love to coach."

“He’s having a season he can be very proud of. To reach 50 games for Queensland is well deserved."

For the Westerners, a loss would all but end their fairytale run to a maiden Super Rugby finals berth.

While the Reds are already assured a place in next month's quarter finals, the ninth-placed Force trail the Drua by two competition points and need a win to keep touch with the Fijians and the Highlanders (seventh).

[Burgs]

Super Rugby Pacific Round 14 Preview

Thu, May 23, 2024, 4:03 PM
Nathan Williamson

Saturday 25 May 7:35 PM AEST – Queensland Reds v Western Force at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, ad-free, live and on demand on Stan Sport and the Nine Network

Teams
REDS (1-15): Alex Hodgman, Matt Faessler, Jeffrey Toomaga-Allen, Seru Uru, Ryan Smith, Liam Wright (co-c), Fraser McReight, John Bryant, Tate McDermott (co-c), Tom Lynagh, Mac Grealy, Hunter Paisami, Josh Flook, Tim Ryan, Jock Campbell

RESERVES: Josh Nasser, Sef Fa'agase, Zane Nonggor, Connor Vest, Joe Brial, Kalani Thomas, James O'Connor, Taj Annan

It’s a new look tight five as Matt Faessler returns to the side, joined in the front-row by Alex Hodgman and Jeffrey Toomaga-Allen
Tim Ryan and Mac Grealy form a new look wing partnership
Tom Lynagh slots back into the halves

FORCE (1-15): Harry Hoopert, Tom Horton, Santiago Medrano, Jeremy Williams (c), Izack Rodda, Will Harris, Carlo Tizzano, Reed Prinsep, Nic White, Ben Donaldson, Ronan Leahy, Hamish Stewart, Bayley Kuenzle, George Poolman, Kurtley Beale

RESERVES: Feleti Kaitu’u, Marley Pearce, Tiaan Tauakipulu, Lopeti Faifua, Michael Wells, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Sam Spink, Chase Tiatia

Ronan Leahy is the lone change, with Chase Tiatia going back to the bench

Stats
The Force will be aiming to defeat the Reds twice in a single season for just the third time in Super Rugby history (2017 and 2014).
The Queensland Reds have won their last four matches in Super Rugby competitions against the Western Force in Queensland by an average margin of 20 points per game
The Western Force have lost their last 14 Super Rugby Pacific matches away from HBF Park by an average margin of 22.4 points per game

Key Match Up
Hamish Stewart v Hunter Paisami

Both inside centres are the corner pieces of their respective backlines, with Stewart set to go up against his old side.

Stewart can sometimes fly under the radar outside Ben Donaldson but is the key behind their defensive turnaround in 2024.

As for Paisami, his development this season has been a major reason behind the Reds’ revival and will play a big role in their finals push.

Prediction
Reds by 11

[shasta]

Murphy………..

Whaddaya mean? Queensland home game. Referee ex-Queensland player, decade long Brisbane Hospital Cup 1st grader. Perception is everything??

[GIGS20]

Whaddaya mean? Queensland home game. Referee ex-Queensland player, decade long Brisbane Hospital Cup 1st grader. Perception is everything??

Don't panic Shas, there's two ARs to provide balance (check out where they're from)

[Burgs]

Cron wants 'must-win mindset' for crunch clash with Reds

Thu, May 23, 2024, 2:05 PM
Ben Somerford

Western Force head coach Simon Cron says his team will once again take a “must-win” mindset into Saturday’s Super Rugby Pacific clash away to the Queensland Reds as they chase a finals spot.

The Force are firmly in finals calculations on the back of successive victories over the NSW Waratahs and Fijian Drua lifting the side into ninth spot on the SRP ladder.

The WA club are two points outside the finals spots with two rounds to go ahead of Saturday’s encounter at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane from 5:35pm WST, live on 9GEM and Stan Sport.

Fans may be discussing the permutations ahead of the final two rounds, with Sunday’s clash between the seventh-placed Highlanders and eighth-placed Fijian Drua likely to have major implications, but Cron said the scenario was simple for his players; it’s another must-win.

“We’ve probably been in must-win territory for the last two or three,” Cron told reporters at Perth Domestic Airport on Thursday ahead of the team’s departure.

“It’s the same mindset, the boys know it, we all know it.”

The Force beat the Reds 40-31 at HBF Park in Round 5, along with 21-19 in a pre-season trial game at Ballymore in Brisbane in February.

But Cron said that counted for nothing against the fifth-placed Reds, who are looking to finish as high as possible on the ladder.

“No, all irrelevant,” Cron said. “This week is a new game. Boys have got to get their heads in the fight and go to war.

“They’re a good side. They’ve had some good results this year. They’ll come out firing, as will we.

“They’ve got a good side there, Liam Wright is outstanding. They’ve got some good boys, like Fraser McReight.

“Our boys go pretty good too, you’ve got Carlo (Tizzano), you’ve got Reed Prinsep who is cement and Will Harris. We’ve got some good boys, it’ll be good competition.”

The aforementioned Wright has won the most lineouts of any player this season with 61 with two steals, while Reds teammate Ryan Smith has the third most, 50 with five steals.

The Force will blood 20-year-old winger Ronan Leahy for his Super Rugby debut, having recently been named in the Under-20 Rugby Championship Team of the Tournament.

“He had a big pre-season with us,” Cron said. “He played in the Cheetahs series, played really well. He’s a strong kid. He’s got a lot of upside. We see he has a massive future for the club. We’re just looking forward to seeing him play.

“He’s just come out of Australia U20s. Initially we were thinking like we might play him during that time. We felt like the Aus U20s program was really important and him putting on that Australia jersey was important, so we left him alone. Now he’s back it’s a great opportunity.

“We just think he’s ready that’s why we’re starting him.”

Force and Wallabies utility back Kurtley Beale was part of the playing group on Thursday’s plane, after his wife Maddi gave birth to their second child on Wednesday.

“It’s awesome, he’s pretty excited,” Cron said about Beale. “Obviously, a big day yesterday for him. Exciting for the team this morning in the team meeting. He’s laser focused.”

Winger-turned-midfielder Bayley Kuenzle is one who has shot into Wallabies conversations following a breakout 2024 campaign, that has included five tries.

The 26-year-old former Australia under-age representative has scored a tr in each of his last two SRP matches, while he scored a double against the Reds last time they met.

“I think BK has always been talented, skilled and fast,” Cron said. “The big thing for him is he had some injuries early on last year and a bit towards the back-end of last year.

“He’s been injury-free and it’s allowing him to play more minutes and get more confident. We’re loving having him out there.”

[palitu]

Man, baby then on a flight. I suppose that is the cost of playing sport for a job.

Anyone else questioning the choice of poolman over Tiatia on the wing? must be trying to give him a rest. I would have picked Tia everyday over poolman at the moment.

[GIGS20]

Man, baby then on a flight. I suppose that is the cost of playing sport for a job.

Anyone else questioning the choice of poolman over Tiatia on the wing? must be trying to give him a rest. I would have picked Tia everyday over poolman at the moment.

I think Poolman did OK last game and Tiatia has been working bloody hard all season. Chase can play 80 so I can see some value in giving Poolman the confidence that he's starting in Chase's spot and if it doesn't work out Chase can come on early.

We've also got Tim Ryan and Mac Grealy starting for the enemy, so a bit of youth is probably worth searching for. Poolman and Leahy both offer that.

Poolman is a big body to try and manhandle Tim Ryan and Ronan Leahy is a speedster to try and burn Grealy up?

[WFDom]

Lets go boys!!!! Big game. Need the win

[James]

Yeah- definitely need 5 points between this week and next to see off the Crusaders. They'll likely pick up 5 from Moana.