Queensland Reds remain unbeaten after heartstopping win over the Force

Almost 12 months after losing to the Western Force in Perth, the Queensland Reds have returned fire, claiming a hard-fought win in the dying moments in Super Rugby.

Filipo Daugunu of the Reds celebrates a try during match against the Western Force. Photo by Janelle St Pierre/Getty Images

The Queensland Reds were made to work hard for the revenge they’d been seeking for 12 months after losing in Perth last year 40-31.

Queensland won a thriller, 28-24, over the Force after they stared down the barrel of another loss in the West when they trailed 24-21 with just three minutes left and had tired bodies strewn everywhere.

Queensland had the chance to level the scores 24-all when awarded a penalty from 40m out but instead of taking a shot at goal the confident visitors backed themselves in to land a five-point-dagger before time ran out.

Filipo Daugunu celebrates a try. Photo by Janelle St Pierre/Getty Images

Midfield debutant Dre Pakeho, 20, found touch six metres out with a superb kick and two tackles later left wing Filipo Daugunu sprung over from the ruck base to steal victory at the death and shatter the hearts of their rivals.

The Force looked set to snare their third straight victory, until vice-captain McReight and his teammates opted to go out guns blazing in the dying moments.

“Met with HMP (Harry McLaughlin-Phillips), just had a thought, we want to go for the win,” flanker McReight told Stan Sport.

“Backed our mall, backed our A-zone success and Haz was a bit spent so we asked Dre to step up and he put a great kick into the corner.”

REVENGE AT LAST

The Reds were uncharacteristically ragged at times, such as when fullback Heremaia Murray spilled a high kick, ultra-reliable McReight dropped a ball from backrow buddy Harry Wilson, when Tom Lynagh kicked the ball out on the full on the very first play and when McLaughlin-Phillips overcooked a penalty kick for touch.

But the Reds got plenty out of their super subs. Liam Wright returned for the first time in eight months after he injured his shoulder as Wallaby captain in their game against Wales and made strong carries in his cameo off the bench.

Big prop Massimo De Lutiis was a force on both sides of the ball, lock Josh Canham extremely busy and Kalani Thomas smart in the dying stages when milking a penalty.

The Reds dropped games on the road last year to the Force and MoanaPasifika and working on winning on the road had been a big point of emphasis at Ballymore over the offseason.

When Force flanker Carlo Tizzano scored his second try in the 69th minute to give his side a 22-21 lead, the Reds’ worst nightmares looked to be coming true.

Enter Daugunu for the dagger.

MCDERMOTT MASTERCLASS

It took Tate McDermott’s best half of footy over the last 12 months for the Reds to stay intact with the Force heading into the second half.

The force led 17-14 and zippy scrumhalf dynamo McDermott made moves to set up both tries and create the opportunity for a third, only for it to go begging with a dropped ball.

Tate McDermott continued his stellar start to the season for the Queensland Reds. Photo by Janelle St Pierre/Getty Images

McDermott’s pin-point grubber kick dabbed behind the Force line set up a try to Josh Flook before a sharp inside ball from the ruck base sent Seru Uru bounding through a hole. A moment later Tom Lynagh was over and it was 14-all midway through the first half.

Lynagh’s exceptional goal kicking slotted two near-sideline conversions and he showed his wear again when Force hooker Nic Dolly hit him above the shoulders which may come back to bite him. Lynagh did not return for the second half.

Indeed the Reds had outdone themselves trailing just three points after spending just 21 seconds in the Force’s 22 in the first half.

NEW FACES OFFER MIXED BAG

Reds supporters got their first look at 20-year-old Pakeho (inside centre) who made his Super Rugby Pacific debut as well as New Zealand outside back Heremaia Murray (fullback).

Pakeho, Queensland Rugby’s Under-20s Player of the Year in 2024, played the full 80 minutes and was faultless. His defence also held firm in the absence of Wallaby centre Hunter Paisami (suspension).

Smooth-moving Kiwi Murray, a former Crusaders player, went from zero to hero in a whirlwind Queensland debut. He dropped a high ball and spoiled a certain try when he fumbled the ball but showed his class when setting up a stunning try by Josh Flook late in the first half.

Murray bumped off one defender and fended the other before McDermott found Flook for his second to snatch a 21-17 lead.

Pakeho’s magic moment came in the final two minutes when he set up the Daugunu match winner with a precise penalty kick about six metres from the Force tryline.

Originally published as Queensland Reds remain unbeaten after heartstopping win over the Force