Olowofela hat-trick has Reds reeling

JORDAN Olowofela’s hattrick ended the Reds unbeaten season and propelled the Western Force to their first knockout match in their Super Rugby history, winning 30-27 at the Perth Oval.

Olowofela, on loan from Leicester, crossed for his third try six minutes from time to give the home side the lead and they withstood wave after wave of attack to secure postseason play for the first time since they were founded in 2005.

The Reds had won their previous seven matches to have a home final already booked. Defeat to the Force means they will face the winner of the play-off between the westerners and Brumbies next weekend.

Three tries in 24 minutes via the Wallabies trio of Hunter Paisami, Taniela Tupou and Filipo Daugunu had put the Reds on the warpath, but the Force fronted up to their aggression with Feleti Kaitu’u crossing over on the stroke of half-time to add to Olowofela’s earlier try. Olowofela was at it again six minutes after the restart to score his second, as the Force limited the Reds to only two James O’Connor penalty kicks in the second half.

Entering the final ten minutes the visitors still held the lead, but the introduction of Richard Kahui proved decisive as his grubber kick through found Olowofela on the end of it to complete his hat-trick and seal victory.

A troubled season for the winless Waratahs finished in a fittingly dire result, as they failed to overcome 13-man Rebels, losing 36-25.

Stacey Ili, Michael Wells, Rob Leota, Matt Gibbon tries and 16 points for Matt Toomua’s boot confirmed the Tahs fate, despite No.8 Isa Naisarani and replacement tighthead prop Pone Fa’amausili being redcarded for dangerously high tackles in either half.