Overview
- The Western Force stunned the Queensland Reds 42-19 in Brisbane on Saturday, with Argentina lock Franco Molina scoring a hat-trick to seal only the Force’s second win of the season and their first at Lang Park since 2017.
- Zac Lomax was withdrawn about an hour before kick-off due to hamstring tightness, and coach Simon Cron said a debut in Fiji next weekend remains in play depending on fitness.
- The Force lost starting wingers Dylan Pietsch (foot) and Darby Lancaster (ankle) during the win, which could fast-track Lomax’s selection for the trip to face the Drua in Lautoka.
- The Crusaders thrashed the Fijian Drua 69-26 on Friday in Christchurch, where Codie Taylor marked his 150th club game with four tries as the team recorded its 100th win at Apollo Projects Stadium.
- Apollo Projects Stadium was built as a temporary home after the 2011 Christchurch earthquake, and the Crusaders now shift later this month to a new roofed venue in the city, while the Drua return home next week to a ground where they are far stronger than on the road.