Bring on the Brumbies: Force dare to dream after upset

The Force secured a maiden finals berth in the most dramatic of circumstances to set up a qualifying final date with the ACT Brumbies at Canberra Stadium on May 1.

The Force needed to beat the ladder-leading Queensland Reds in Perth this past Friday night in order to secure third spot.

Things were looking bleak at 21-7 down late in the first half, but a stunning hat-trick from English winger Jordan Olowofela lifted the Perth-based team to the 30-27 victory.

It continued a trend of heart-stopping wins for the Force, who beat the Rebels 16-15 in Melbourne a fortnight ago, before downing the NSW Waratahs 31-30 after the siren last week.

MORE SPORT

The win over the Reds was the Force's best and most courageous performance of the season, playing 30 minutes with 14 men due to three separate yellow cards.

The second-placed Brumbies easily beat the Force on both occasions this year, posting a 27-11 win in Perth, and a 42-14 win in Canberra. But stand-in Force captain Kyle Godwin says his team are up for the challenge.

"The Brumbies are a quality outfit. They've notoriously been the best Australian Super Rugby side in history. So for us, we're up for a big challenge," Godwin said.

"We're building some great momentum here. We've got great belief and trust in each other that we do have the quality and we do have the squad to go forward."

Confidence is now oozing at the Force, and they fancy their chances of beating the Brumbies and the Reds in Queensland in the ensuing grand final.

"All the way, no doubt," Force coach Tim Sampson said when asked what his team can achieve with fullback Rob Kearney due to return in the qualifying final against the Brumbies.

"You've got to ride the wave. We've proven we can win tight games, and in finals footy, you're going to be in tight contests. We have the confidence going into the semi next week in Canberra of grinding out the game, whatever it takes."