Hunter Paisami made his case for the Wallabies' No.12 jersey while Suliasi Vunivalu produced his first moment of Super Rugby AU magic as the Queensland Reds held out the Western Force 26-19.
Paisami kicked and passed with confidence but it was his trademark running game on full display as he barged over for tries in the 15th and 51st minutes as the Reds moved to 4-0 this season and notched a club record ninth-straight win at Suncorp Stadium.
The Force stayed in the game, thanks in part to a mighty effort at scrum time by 37-year-old 150-gamer Greg Holmes.
Down 14-3, Feleti Kaitu'u found the line for the Force, then they had to settle for a penalty as they pushed for a second before halftime.
A Jake McIntyre penalty put the visitors ahead 16-14 before Paisami's second try gave the Reds back the lead.
McIntyre then got things level at 19-19 after 56 minutes before code-hopper Vunivalu came off his wing looking to make an impact.
He plucked a tough pass, dummied then fended off the hapless fullback before throwing a confident cut-out ball for a Jock Campbell try.
It gave the Reds a seven-point lead, the Force pressing the home side's line as they looked for a converted try when the siren sounded.
Paisami had played in the No.13 previously for the Reds and Wallabies but has been shunted inside and asked to develop his playmaking ability.
Along with James O'Connor, he certainly did his best, the pair a constant threat early in the match with chips and floating bombs for former Melbourne Storm winger Vunivalu.
REDS 26
Tries: McDermott, Paisami 2, Campbell
Cons: O'Connor 3
Pens:
FORCE 19
Tries: Kaitu'u
Cons: McIntyre
Pens: McIntyre 4
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