The Force have flexed their World Series Rugby muscle against a Wallabies laden Brisbane City at Hugh Courtney Oval with a 47-29 win.
City may have boasted the star power with Quade Cooper, Karmichael Hunt and Brandon Paenga-Amosa all lining up as capped Wallabies in the starting XV but the Force played smarter, more efficient rugby and that was the difference on Sunday.
Andrew Deegan showed he is capable of featuring for a Super Rugby side in the very near future with a flyhalf masterclass which flashed brilliant passing, classy game management and stout defence - outpointing Cooper in the process.
His quiet achieving partnership with Ian Prior and some silky touches from Jack McGregor caught City napping on their right edge four times throughout the match - former Red Rod Davies the beneficiary of two opportunities.
The visitors relied on strong general play kicking from Deegan, a rolling maul City could not stop and a top natch pack which kept hitting hard until the final siren.
City, in contrast, scored three well constructed tries in the first 20 minutes but were otherwise limited to counterattacking opportunities as the Force's defence took control.
Cooper's hand in Con Foley's try was a touch of class but an audacious flick pass to Moses Sorovi just short of half time was ill advised.
It went awry and cost City seven crucial points which would have made a world of difference before the break.
The mercurial flyhalf ran a nice line to score early in the second term as well but the defensive side of his game has not improved since being banished from the Reds by coach Brad Thorn.
Paenga-Amosa's performance will have the hooker well placed for a Wallabies comeback when he re-joins camp this week.
His breakdown nous was on show and the City set piece ran like a well oiled machine.
Hunt was similarly impressive with the limited touches he did have from outside centre and showed his strong Souths form was no fluke.
RESULT
Brisbane City 29
Tries: Foley, Thompson-Te Muunu, Morrey, Cooper, Ngamanu
Cons: Cooper 2
Pens:
Force 47
Tries: Davies 2, Thrush, McGregor, Orr, Kaituu 2
Cons: Prior 6
Pens:
