The Western Force have stayed in the fight for a maiden finals berth with a 19-14 win over the Queensland Reds.
Both teams had their chances, but the Force held tough for a pivotal victory at home.
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So what did we learn?
Kurtley Beale is ageless, with the veteran back the difference in a nail-biting win.
When Beale came on in the 56th minute, you felt the vibe shift. The Force were calm, controlled and played beautiful territory Rugby to stifle the Reds’ attack.
The Reds had a chance to win it late, but the Wallabies legend came up with a trademark rip to seal the win.
It was the 37-year-old’s 185th Super Rugby cap, taking him equal with Aaron Smith for third most caps in competition history.
If ever a time had the yips at lineout time, it’s the Queensland Reds and it’s seriously hurting their title hopes.
No matter the hooker or second row combo, they can’t make it work, losing six on the night, and it leaves them struggling to build any real consistency in attack.
In the last month, the Reds have lost 17 throws.
The Reds cost themselves dearly in Perth, and it wasn’t just the lineout, with a series of missed opportunities in the first half summing up their night.
Several Wallabies took their chance to push their cases for a spot in Joe Schmidt’s squad for the Nations Championship.
Carlo Tizzano started like a man on fire with a ruck penalty and a rolling maul try as he delivered some of his greatest hits alongside the ever-impressive Dylan Pietsch, who came up with massive breaks.
Jock Campbell continues to press for his recall, piercing the Force defence at times as he looks for his first cap since 2022, while skipper Harry Wilson was brilliant in attack to complement another workhorse outing.
Carter Gordon was strong again with his in-play kicking, nailing a 50-22 and another grubber that forced a five-metre scrum. There was a missed opportunity for a try assist after his grubber to Lachie Anderson was bobbled, although he could’ve made it way easier with his trademark cut out ball.
Meanwhile, Darcy Swain continues to dominate at lineout time and has a real point of difference with the other Australian teams struggling to nail their throws.
Saturday’s results leave the race for finals as volatile as ever, with the battle centred around Australia.
The final spot in the top six seems destined to come down to the final game as the Force answered the NSW Waratahs’ bonus point win over the Fijian Drua to stay in the fight, with the Highlanders in big trouble with one less game up their sleeve.
Friday’s clash between the Waratahs and ACT Brumbies is a massive game for both sides, with the Brumbies now in must-win territory after the respective wins.
The Force will love their chances against the Fijian Drua as they keep getting stronger.
The Queensland Reds’ home final hopes are over and while they have a pretty comfortable run home, their spot isn’t certain. Even the Crusaders aren’t safe if they lose out to finish the year., with the Waratahs and Force able to jump them with two wins.
The added jeopardy is brilliant for the competition.
The sight of the Queensland Reds playing against a team in red was weird to get used to but for a good cause.
The Force ditched their usual ‘Sea of Blue’ moniker for the night, raising awareness for WA charity zero2hero, a WA-based youth mental health charity.
It’s a great cause and similar to the Waratahs’ pink jersey for the Breast Cancer Foundation, which produces a striking look that starts an all-important conversation around the issue.
