Wallabies scrum half Tate McDermott produced an attacking masterclass and the Reds were rewarded for a brave call with the siren moments away as they stunned the Western Force with 40 seconds left in Perth.
With fulltime beckoning the Force led 24-21 based on 60 per cent possession and overwhelming superiority in field position. The Reds had a penalty to level the game but opted to kick for the sideline instead after Fraser McReight held a quick conference with a “spent” Harry McLaughlin-Phillips.
HMP was struggling after a head knock so McReight gave the ball to debutant centre Dre Pakeho, whose nerveless kick found touch just metres out from the Force line.
“Just had a thought ‘I want to go for the win’. Backed our maul. Backed our A-zone success,” said McReight.
They secured the line out, Kalani Thomas made a half break and Wallaby winger Filipo Daugunu sprinted over for the winning try.
The Force could face more disappointment when the judiciary takes a close look at the game. Their hooker Nic Dolly escaped any on field punishment after a head clash with Tom Lynagh left the Reds flyhalf needing a HIA, raising eyebrows in the commentary booth.
The Force started on fire with concerted pressure paying off inside the Reds 22.
With Reesjan Pasitoa starting strongly at No.13 in his first Super Rugby game since 2022, the Force pushed back the Reds. Referee Nic Berry threatened the Reds with a yellow after three offsides – Nic Dolly dropped the ball over the line – but the Force finally broke through when Carlo Tizanno surged over the line.
They went to a 14-0 lead on 20 minutes after a a sparkling backline move. Space was carved by Ben Donaldson’s delay and pass to George Poolman who sprinted through. Mac Grealy’s neat pass sent a surging Dylan Pietsch towards the line and from the breakdown in close Darcy Swain went over.
Mac Grealy of the Force in action during the round three Super Rugby Pacific match between Western Force and Queensland Reds at HBF Park, on March 01, 2025, in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Janelle St Pierre/Getty Images)
Donaldson nailed the conversion from out wide – his 15th from 15 attempts to start the season.
The Reds looked like they were wobbling but McDermott took over. His sniping, short passing and running into space were all on point and his little kick in behind the Force defence, after some good lead up by Daugunu, allowed Josh Flook to score the first of two tries.
They were soon over again to level the scores – McDermott instrumental again with a short pass to Seru Uru allowing the backrower to charge through the defensive line, before Tom Lynagh was sent over.
“In a Maroon jersey, I think that’s one of the best performances we’ve seen Tate McDermott have,” said former Wallaby Cameron Shepherd on Stan Sport.
A Donaldson penalty gave them a halftime lead but the second half was only a few minutes old when the Reds hit the front for the first time.
Kiwi fullback Heremaia Murray had endured a terrible Reds debut in the first half – dropping a high kick under no pressure, and a McDermott pass that should have resulted in a run away try.
Jock Campbell’s replacement briefly redeemed himself when he ran a loose ball back strongly before feeding to McDermott out wide. The Wallabies No.9 had a big smile on his dial as Flook went over for number two.
“The Reds, that’s what they can do to you, they strike like a viper!” said a pumped up Morgan Tuirnui.
It looked like the Reds would ride a wave of defensive grit to the finish line – especially after the Force went 18 phases near their line before a dismal knock on.
But Tizanno, who has started the season brilliantly showed he is more than just a faultless tackling machine. He burrowed over for a try on 68 minutes for a 24-21 lead.
The Force were 90 seconds from safety when they conceded a penalty and the Reds decided to go for glory.
“The Western Force won’t really be able to work out how they haven’t won that game,” Turinui said on Stan Sport.
“They did a lot of things right. It’s a very good Western Force team. They’re going to have a good season. But the Reds just found a way. They were brave in their decision at the end to not go ‘we’ll take three, we’ll try and get down to a super point.”
McDermott beat his Wallabies teammate Nic White by clear KO on the night, earning praise from his coach Les Kiss.
“He had a massive game, a massive impact,” said Kiss. “That’s where I was probably disappointed. He made so many inroads and set us up for so many things, but we just didn’t have that quality ending to those opportunities.
“Very good in terms of his captaincy too. I just think he’s really grown again. One of the things with Tate, he epitomises what we’re about. We’re never beaten and he just finds a way to find us our way back into the game.
“He’s got a real positive part about his conversations he had with his players. So I was really, really pleased for him. I was going to take him off earlier in the game, but we lost Josh Flook.”
Flook was one of several Reds nursing injuries and Kiss said the wounded would be assessed on Sunday.
