SATURDAY, MARCH 23rd, 2024 HBF PARK, PERTH, AUSTRALIA
Reds vs. Western Force Rugby Showdown: Injury Shuffles and Form Struggles
Having secured three wins out of four matches, the Reds, who displayed a commanding performance against the Rebels last week, arrive in Perth as clear favorites. With Isaac Henry sidelined for the season due to a knee injury, the Reds undergo several alterations in the backline, welcoming back Hunter Paisami, and assigning Tom Lynagh the No.10 role, while Harry McLaughlin-Phillips prepares to enter the fray from the bench. Their formidable forward pack, however, receives a significant boost as it remains unchanged.
Western Force’s Struggles Continue
In the meantime, Simon Cron has welcomed back Nic White and Sam Spink, the latter prompting a rearrangement of the backline. Yet to secure a victory this season, they’ll require flawless execution if they intend to topple the Reds.
Team Line-ups
Reds
Jock Campbell, Suliasi Vunivalu, Josh Flook, Hunter Paisami, Mac Grealy, Tom Lynagh, Tate McDermott, Harry Wilson, Fraser McReight, Liam Wright, Ryan Smith, Seru Uru, Zane Nonggorr, Matt Faessler, Peni Ravai.
Reserves. Josh Nasser, George Blake, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Cormac Daly, John Bryant, Kalani Thomas, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Taj Annan.
Force
Harry Potter, Bayley Kuenzle, Sam Spink, Hamish Stewart, Chase Tiatia, Ben Donaldson, Nic White, Will Harris, Carlo Tizzano, Tim Anstee, Jeremy Williams, Thomas Franklin, Sanitago Medrano, Tom Horton, Ryan Coxon.
Reserves. Ben Funnell, Josh Bartlett, Tiaan Tauakipulu, Lopeti Faifua, Reed Prinsep, Isaak Fines-Leleiwasa, Max Burey, George Poolman.
Match Insights
Western Force have lost their last 4 matches.
Western Force have lost their last 3 matches to the Reds.
Western Force have their 4 matches by 30, 14, 3 & 8 points.
Reds have won 3 of their last 4 matches.
PREDICTION
No team is having a worse season than the Crusaders, but the Western Force have also been major let downs this year.
There were hopes that they could improve on their 11th place finish in 2023, but that seems like it might be their ceiling after a poor start to the campaign.
This weekend doesn’t offer any respite as the formidable Reds visit town, leaving head coach Les Kiss amazed at his team’s swift start to the season.
Despite blasting the Rebels in Melbourne last week, they were still a way off their best, but the performance of their loose forwards gives them an edge over just about anyone.
Thanks to the quirks of the draw and other external factors, this will be just the third head to head game in Perth since the Force’s reintroduction to the competition in 2020.
Each team has taken out one match, with the Force winning in 2021 in the final weekend of the Australian regular season, before Queensland picked up a seven point win in 2022.
However with the Reds going to another level in 2024 and the Force continued struggles, I’m not expecting this one to be overly competitive.
While the Force have a player called Harry Potter playing they will need all of his wizardly powers to stop the Reds here. The Reds will have an eye on a bonus point as well.
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