Force aim to be 'nice and fast' against dangerous Reds / Photo: © AFP
Force aim to be 'nice and fast' against dangerous Reds
Western Force coach Simon Cron has urged his in-form team to be "nice and fast" against the Queensland Reds as they bid to win their opening three games of a Super Rugby campaign for the first time.
The rejuvenated Perth-based side find themselves second on the ladder behind only the rampant Waikato Chiefs following heart-stopping wins against Moana Pasifika and ACT Brumbies.
The 45-42 Brumbies victory was their first in Canberra for nearly 14 years and snapped a 15-game losing streak away from home.
But Cron warned that the Reds, who had an opening-round bye before a dominant win over Moana, would be "another step up" on Saturday.
"The key for us is not letting any daylight at the breakdown," he told reporters.
"We've got to make sure we're nice and fast, our leg drive and contact, all those things that help in terms of (being) on ball."
The match is shaping as a key clash between flankers Carlo Tizzano and the Reds' Fraser McReight, both contenders for the Wallabies No.7 jersey when Australia meet the British and Irish Lions this year.
"There's no doubts that the two 7s will go at it, be pretty focused on their jobs and what they have to do for the team," said Cron.
"We've got some good boys in our loose forwards. They will be excited by it. The Reds are an outstanding side."
Force are without injured centre Sio Tomkinson, opening the door for Reesjan Pasitoa's return to the match-day 23 after more than 1,000 days out with a series of injuries.
Wallabies lock Jeremy Williams is also missing, replaced by Sam Carter.
The Reds welcome back former Australia skipper Liam Wright for his first match since July after a shoulder injury sustained when captaining the Wallabies against Wales in Sydney.
"The value he adds to our game is immense and the lineout is just one element," Reds coach Les Kiss said of Wright, who will start from the bench.
"His experience will be important at the backend of the game."
The Reds have made six changes to their starting side, with centre Hunter Paisami a key absentee after being banned for three weeks over a high tackle against Moana.
He is replaced by the young Dre Pakeho, while Wallabies Matt Faessler, Zane Nonggorr and Angus Blyth return to the pack.
"We know the Force have been impressive and are certainly showing the appetite to play for 80 minutes," said Kiss.
"They'll be confident on home turf so it's not going to be an easy road trip."
P.Murphy--TNT
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