Finally the Reds totally dominate a Super 14 match from the outset and never looked fazed despite taking the foot off the gas in the second half to win 50~10 over the hapless Western Force outfit. Inside centre Anthony Faingaa, playing his best rugby since arriving at Reds with his twin brother last year, opened the scorebook with a powerful try running off Quade Cooper in the 8th minute. The tries kept coming with Digby Ioane running in a double to go to half time 36~3.

Being a family day out at Suncorp there were slides and face painting for the kids out the front of the stadium near the Wally Lewis statue. Reds’ banners were handed out and the local crowd of 20,016 were in the mood to enjoy the spectacle of running rugby. Even when the rain came pouring down at half time spirits were not dampened as the Queensland team, like teams a decade or so before them, really stamped their authority over all aspects the game. Scott Higginbotham once again repaid coach, Ewen McKenzie, with his brilliant form capping it off with a double in the second half to aid in the Reds to reach a 50 point score line. Front row trio Ben Daly, Saia Faingaa and Laurie Weeks also showed up the Force’s front row with their strength and ball handling ability. Daly getting particularly amongst the thick of things and was bated to make indiscretions to which he did not succumb. An all round excellent display from the forwards that won good ball for the backs that also responded well.

Stand in captain, Will Genia, just keeps getting better and better with each outing. Whether under the high ball or scampering extra yards through gaps in the opposition forwards his all round ability has just grown since his impressive display last year.

“We just want to play for each other” he said. Further adding, “We took a lot of confidence from last week”.

Genia’s halves partner, Quade Cooper, once again blossomed being instrumental in many of the first half tries; although he did let up on his disciplined play and slipped back into his schoolboy penchant for the “bunny hop” as he made a break down the blind in the second half only to drop the ball like he was prone to do early in his Reds career. A nice comical repartee with Wallaby teammate, Force’s inside-centre, James O’Conner followed. However the match had been won by then.

With 20 minutes to go, and the match in the bag, Ewen McKenzie made wholesale changes giving Ben Lucas, Morgan Turinui and Sean Hardman some game-time. Turinui made up for less playing-time this week by coming across to sign autographs with fellow second half replacement Will Chambers after the match (see photos on Facebook).

Caxton Street awash with red before and after the match had more of an upbeat feel this weekend with the consecutive wins -something the Queenslanders have not achieved since 2006. In fact, three wins from the first five Super 14 matches is a brilliant start that replicates the season back in 1999. Ewen McKenzie is the “x” factor that has been the missing ‘link’ as his nickname attests.

The Reds head off to the South African Republic on Friday, with a bye this weekend, for three fixtures against the Cheetahs, Sharks and Lions respectively; which will test their staying ability. On their return they play the present two top teams in the Bulls & Stormers at home; by which time we will know how their season has panned out. Savour!