The Queensland Reds fell short 21-19 against the Western Force in Perth tonight when their opening trial for the Swyftx Super Rugby Pacific season had a tense climax.
The Reds had led 19-14 with time almost up when the Force camped on the tryline. Twice, excellent defence against attacking mauls thwarted Force surges before penalties and a Kalani Thomas yellow card stacked up.
A Force try to No.8 Titi Nofoagatotoa and the conversion by Justin Landman settled the result.
The match was played in three 30-minute thirds which enabled the Reds to give valuable game time to 29 players, including 14 playing off an extended bench.
It meant tighthead props Massimo De Lutiis, Zane Nonggorr and Nick Bloomfield were all able to get solid 30-minute shifts under the belt.
Only backrower John Bryant played the full match, a huge 90-minute effort which had its reward.
Starting fullback Nicholas Conway showed speed on the edge when playing his first minutes for the Reds as a graduate from last year's Australia Under-18s team.
The Reds fought back from a 14-7 deficit to take the lead at 19-14 in the 84th minute.
Wallabies halfback Kalani Thomas was the trigger. He made a penetrating run off a kick return that pierced the Force defence. He found replacement Harrison Usher in support and the big Bond University prop carted the ball almost to the tryline.
A quick relay on the next phase looked to have put replacement flyhalf Carter Gordon over. When caught just short, he coolly popped a pass to put Bryant over for the try.
Thomas had a strong impact after replacing young starter James Martens, who scored a try of his own from a quick tap.
The Reds opened the scoring 15 minutes into the trial when a typically fast strike from a well-won lineout in the Force quarter gathered momentum. Lock Lukhan Salakaia-Loto charged over for the 7-0 jump
The Force fought back to lead 14-7 after the first of the three periods.
Martens got the scores back to level terms with a quick-tap strike for 14-all midway through the second period after Salakaia-Loto had charged down a kick, the Reds had secured a turnover and earned a penalty.
Harry McLaughlin-Phillips played through the opening 40 minutes before a baton change to new recruit Gordon, who had a busy time at flyhalf.
It was a valuable first run for 2026. The Reds will be in action on Saturday week in their final trial at Ballymore Stadium when the NSW Waratahs visit.
WESTERN FORCE 21
Tries: Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Darby Lancaster, Titi Nofoagatotoa
Conversions: Ben Donaldson 2, Justin Landman
Defeated
QUEENSLAND REDS 19
Tries: Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, James Martens, John Bryant
Conversions: Harry McLaughlin-Phillips 2
Venue: Scotch College, Perth
