Western Force Overcomes Zac Lomax's Absence with Stunning Victory

Despite Zac Lomax's late withdrawal, Western Force defeated the Queensland Reds 42-19 in Brisbane. Franco Molina scored a hat-trick, aiding the team to deny the Reds a third-place position in the Super Rugby standings. Meanwhile, the Canterbury Crusaders bid farewell to their old stadium with a decisive victory.

In a thrilling Super Rugby Pacific weekend, Western Force overcame the absence of star player Zac Lomax, who was sidelined by a hamstring injury, to defeat the Queensland Reds 42-19 in Brisbane. The victory, marked by a stellar hat-trick from Franco Molina, spoiled the Reds' aspirations of moving up in the league standings.

The Canterbury Crusaders also made headlines as they celebrated an emotional farewell to their temporary home stadium with a commanding 69-26 win over the Fijian Drua. The 13-time champions displayed top form, with Codie Taylor making a memorable impact by scoring four tries in his milestone 150th Super Rugby match.

Elsewhere, the Waikato Chiefs claimed a notable victory against the New South Wales Waratahs, securing their position in the league with a solid performance. The Chiefs showcased their strength and strategy with a decisive 42-14 win, reflecting their intention to rise above the competition in this season's Super Rugby standings.

(With inputs from agencies.)