Western Force returns to Perth Oval for first Super Rugby home game against Queensland Reds

They say that good things come to those who wait, and the Western Force will be sweating on that to be the case, as they gear up for their first Super Rugby Pacific game on home turf this season.

When the season kicked off last month, the Force were hopeful – but certainly not confident – they would be able to return home to Western Australia at some point and play games in front of friends, family, and the devoted supporters that form the 'Sea of Blue' in Perth.

Western Force 2022

However it was never clear when that would occur.

Among many tweaks to the Super Rugby Pacific draw already this season were the swapping of two Force home games scheduled for the first month of the competition.

Instead, they played the Brumbies in Canberra in Round 1 and will face the Waratahs in Sydney in Round 4 next week.

But their Round 3 clash this weekend against the Queensland Reds remained pencilled in as a home game.

Initially, they were granted approval from the WA Government to play the game at home, with the Force and Reds allowed to fly-in and fly-out for the game and remain in bubble conditions for the one-night stay.

But now the Force are home. Properly.

And they are getting ready to play a home game at the Perth Oval for the first time since June last year, after starting a third straight season on the road.

«It's going to be a real buzz around town and certainly around the team so yeah, we can't wait to get out there,» Force scrumhalf Ian Prior told ABC Sport this week.

«Obviously playing quality opposition as well, which makes it even better. So yeah, can't wait.»

If we go back to Saturday night, and particularly the way the Force finished off their bonus point win over the Melbourne Rebels in Melbourne, the reactions and the