Force aim to topple injury-hit Reds again

The borders are open, the Sea of Blue are back, and the Western Force will be hoping to do another job on the injury-hit Queensland Reds when they celebrate their 200-game Super Rugby milestone at HBF Park this Friday.

The Reds have endured a torrid lead-up to Friday's game, with the Queensland floods, a raft of injuries, and a delayed flight into Perth all affecting their preparations.

Queensland made eight changes to their matchday 23, with halfback Tate McDermott (ankle), Liam Wright (shoulder), Angus Scott-Young (knee) and hooker Alex Mafi all injured.

While Reds players were stuck at Brisbane airport for hours on Thursday morning, Force players were celebrating the opening of Western Australia's hard border after almost two years.

And although HBF Park will only be at 50 per cent capacity on Friday night, Force players are champing at the bit to play in front of their 'Sea of Blue' supporter base for the first time this season.

The match will mark the Force's 200th Super appearance - a milestone that looked impossible when the franchise was axed by Rugby Australia in 2017.

Billionaire mining magnate Andrew Forrest kept the Force alive, and the Perth-based franchise showcased their finals credentials last week with a crushing 28-3 win over the Melbourne Rebels.

That performance followed a gutsy 29-23 loss to the Brumbies in Canberra in round one, and the Force will fancy their chances against a depleted Reds outfit.

The Force famously beat the Reds 30-27 in Perth last year to secure a maiden finals berth in Super RugbyAU.

"We took a lot of belief and confidence out of that," Force captain Feleti Kaitu'u said.

"We were the only side to topple the eventual Super Rugby champions last year. But it's in the past. Tomorrow