Harry Wilson Leads Reds Into Perth With Force Vs Reds Stakes High
The Western Force meet the Queensland Reds in force vs reds in Perth with both sides chasing something bigger than a regular-season win. The Force need victory to keep their finals dream alive, while the Reds are trying to lock up a place in the finals and push toward a top-three finish.
Perth Stakes For Force
The Force come in after a loss to the ACT Brumbies that dented their hopes of a maiden finals appearance. They are also trying to complete the sweep over the Reds, which gives this meeting a direct edge: one side is trying to save its season, and the other is trying to strengthen its position before the run home tightens.
Simon Cron re-signed during the week, and the Force named the same 23 as the Reds during the week. That keeps the selection picture settled for a match that carries far more weight than the early-season meeting would have.
Harry Wilson Lifts Reds
Harry Wilson is leading a rotated Reds side, and the visitors have their own reasons to treat this as a live finals test rather than a routine trip west. The Reds are hunting for a top-three spot, and their lineup reflects a side balancing rotation with a result they still need.
Massimo De Luttiis is set for his Super Rugby return after a long injury layoff, while Sef Fa'agase is playing his 100th game and Mac Grealy his 50th. Those milestones sit inside a match that still asks the bigger question of whether the Reds can leave Perth with their finals position strengthened.
Force And Reds Starting XVs
The Force starting XV has Harry Johnson-Holmes, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Misinale Epenisa, Jeremy Williams, Darcy Swain, Nick Champion de Crespigny, Carlo Tizzano, Vailoni Ekuasi, Nathan Hastie, Max Burey, Dylan Pietsch, Hamish Stewart, George Bridge, Zac Lomax and Mac Grealy. The Reds starting XV is George Blake, Josh Nasser, Massimo De Luttiis, Hamish Muller, Seru Uru, Joe Brial, John Bryant, Harry Wilson, Louis Werchon, Carter Gordon, Lachie Anderson, Hunter Paisami, Isaac Henry, Tim Ryan and Jock Campbell.
Joe Schmidt is watching the match, which adds one more layer to a game already loaded with selection and finals pressure. Coverage is slated to start at 7:00 pm, with kickoff expected at 7:35 pm.
