Western Force happy to fly under the radar

The Western Force love being underdogs – but it’s a tag they know probably won’t stick with them for much longer.

Despite beating the NSW Waratahs 25-13 on enemy territory last week, the Force will again be underdogs when they confront a shaken Reds outfit at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night.

The Reds were embarrassed 47-3 by the Brumbies last week, but the inclusion of playmaker James O’Connor and veteran All Blacks flanker Adam Thomson will give them an extra boost.

The Force haven’t lost to the Reds since 2012, and produced a 32-29 upset during their last visit to Suncorp Stadium in 2014.

But former Reds flyer Luke Morahan, who joined the Force at the end of 2013, is more than content for punters to write off the Perth-based franchise.

“We are always happy to go in as underdogs,” Morahan said.

“The Reds are a very tough team to beat at Suncorp. They always lift up a level there, and it’s something they pride themselves on – how hard it is to play there.”

“So you can never rule the Reds out.”

Morahan is likely to shift from the wing to fullback to fill in for the injured Dane Haylett-Petty, who broke some bones in his foot during the win over the Waratahs.

“I had two or three seasons at the Reds at fullback, so I’m comfortable there,” Morahan said.

The 24-year-old is happy to be back on the park after missing most of last season with a torn hamstring.

And he is expecting plenty of chatter on the field this week from some of his former teammates.

“I’ve got some good mates at the Reds still. No doubt I’ll catch up with them after the game,” he said.

“James Slipper, James Hanson, Jake Schatz – those sort of guys who I grew up playing with – will get stuck into me a bit.”

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