Lock Franco Molina scored a hat-trick of tries as Western Force produced a “complete performance” to outclass the Queensland Reds.
The Force ended a three-match losing streak and hauled themselves off the bottom of the Super Rugby Pacific standings with the 42-19 upset win in Brisbane on Saturday.
Argentina international Molina was the standout figure, powering across twice early on to help the visitors lead 21-12 at the interval.
The Force completed victory on the stroke of full-time when Molina brushed aside four defenders on the way to the line for his third try.
??? Hat-trick de Franco Molina ante Reds ???
??♂️ Minuto 80 ??
From Jockey de Córdoba to the world ? pic.twitter.com/2Qtbov47RK— Rugby Sur?? (@RugbySur) April 4, 2026
Force captain Nick Champion de Crespigny was thrilled his team didn’t repeat the same mistake from several games this year, when failing to capitalise on an early lead.
“We’ve probably been in a lot of games and haven’t been able to seal it out,” Champion de Crespigny told reporters.
“Key moments have probably let other teams back in. So that was what we wanted today, sort of a complete performance.”
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A physical display from the Force forwards helped flyhalf Ben Donaldson outshine Reds opposite Carter Gordon, with both playmakers in the running to wear the No 10 Test jersey for Australia.
Donaldson converted all six Force tries.
The Reds’ cause wasn’t helped by a second-half yellow card shown to Wallabies captain Harry Wilson for a high tackle.
The bonus-point win lifted the Perth-based side to ninth with a 2-5 win-loss record, while the Reds (4-3) suffered a second straight defeat to remain sixth.
— AFP
Photo: Albert Perez/Getty Images
