Qld Reds vs Western Force, Sat, 7.35 @ Suncorp – Indigenous Round
The Reds play their final regular season home game at Suncorp this Saturday, the 25th of May 2024, hosting the Western Force. Les Kiss’s men are currently in fifth spot and almost certain to make the playoffs.
Ahead of the Indigenous Round, Barry Lea dropped in to Ballymore to juice the boys up.
The Force, currently in ninth, are very much within striking distance of a playoff spot, being only two points behind Fijian Drua and four points behind Highlanders with two games to go. So, desperation will likely fuel a competitive affair.
The Reds field eight changes to the side that went down 28-19 to Fijian Drua last week, including a new front row.
| Position | Starting XV | Last week’s XV |
|---|---|---|
| Flyhalf | Tom Lynagh | Lawson Creighton |
| Prop | Alex Hodgman | Peni Revai |
| Prop | Jeffery Toomaga-Allen | Zane Nonggorr |
| Hooker | Matt Faessler | Josh Nasser |
| Lock | Seru Uru | Ryan Smith |
| Wing | Mac Grealy | Floyd Aubrey |
| Wing | Tim Ryan | Suliasi Vunivalu |
| Centre | Josh Flook | Taj Annan |
James O’Connor comes back in, onto the reserve’s bench, joined by several starters from last week, ready to impact the game at the business end.
The Force make only one change to their side after their 27-7 win at home to the Warratahs last week.
Debutant Ronan Leahy will take his place on the left wing having starred for the Australian team in the U20 Rugby Championships.
The birth of Kurtley Beale’s 2nd child may have an impact on his availability but at this stage, he is named in the squad.
Two months ago, the Force took home the bacon when the sides met in Perth, in a high scoring affair 40-31.
Josh Flook’s return at outside centre will be his 50th game for the Reds.
The Nudgee College product was recounting the days he leaned on the Suncorp fence for an autograph.
The playoffs looming, as the ladder stands, if the Reds remain fifth they will earn a quarter final away game at the Chiefs who are one point behind the Brumbies. The Reds got the upperhand in their home win over the Chiefs in March, 25-19 and went down agonisingly 20-19 at home to the Brumbies.
Both the Chiefs and Brumbies are unbeaten at home, so the Reds really need to push for two wins against the Force and the Waratahs next week, to build strong momentum into the quarter finals.
Two teams desperately needing to win sets up for a great game!
Published 22-May-2024
