Super Rugby Pacific: Western Force coach Simon Cron trusts in side’s depth ahead Queensland Reds clash

Western Force coach Simon Cron says they will trust in their depth ahead of Saturday’s early-season Super Rugby Pacific blockbuster against Queensland Reds at HBF Park. Amid the hype and plenty of plot-lines preceding the round three clash between the two early Australian pace-setters, Cron acknowledged the threat the Reds possessed all over the field. The Force’s quest to make it three in a row to start the season for the first time in history has been made tough by the absence of captain and Wallabies lock Jeremy Williams, who joined outside centre Sio Tomkinson in concussion protocols after their win over the Brumbies last weekend. Despite the absence of the two starters, Cron backed replacements Sam Carter and Reesjan Pasitoa — the latter making his first appearance in more than 1000 days — to make their impact felt against a Reds side who thrashed Moana Pasifika 56-36 last Friday. “They’re an outstanding side, they’ve got a lot of depth, tight five depth and their backs are lightning quick, great in transition,” Cron said. “They’re another step up for our boys and our guys are getting better each week, and they’ve done the work. “One of the things we said from the start is that we’ve got to build squad depth, we’ve got to trust the squad. “So next cab off the rank, they get a crack at it, and it’s a great opportunity for them.” Queensland bring with them one of the best loose forward contingents in the league, featuring two Wallabies captains in Harry Wilson and Liam Wright, the ultra-consistent Seru Uru and Fraser McReight, who had strong claim to being the world’s best openside flanker last year. Their visit will bring a battle at the breakdown, with Force flanker Carlo Tizzano set to go head-to-head with Wallabies teammate McReight, while Nick Champion de Crespigny will look to continue his strong start to the season alongside co-captain Reed Prinsep. “The key for us is not leaving any daylight at the breakdown,” Cron said. “We’ve got to make sure we’re not nice, and quite fast; our leg drive and contact, all those things that help in terms of on-ball and not letting them on-ball. “There’s no doubt the two sevens will go at it and be pretty focused on their jobs and what they need to do for the team.” Pasitoa has not played due to knee, shoulder and elbow injuries since his impressive 2022 season, where he drew acclaim and was touted as a potential future Wallabies fly-half. But he will line up at outside centre against the Reds after adding muscle, and Cron was confident the former whiz-kid would do his job. “He’s had a bit of a journey, and it will have been really challenging for him over that period of time, and he’s always been positive, always been looking forward, always been thinking about what he can help the team with,” he said. “We’ve been working on him there (at 13). He’s been working with a couple of guys in the team around that role and what to do. He’s a big body at the moment. I think he’ll be fine.”