Double injury blow for Reds

The Reds paid a dear price for their heavy (3-47) loss to the Brumbies in a Super Rugby Round One match in Canberra at the weekend.

They will be without fullback Jamie-Jerry Taulagi and flyhalf Duncan Paia'aua for this week's encounter the high-riding Western Force in Brisbane.

Taulagi suffered a Grade Two MCL strain and will be sidelined for six to eight weeks.

Paia'aua suffered a concussion in the same game and failed a Return to Play test on Monday, ruling him out of this weekend's match.

Reds head coach Richard Graham confirmed that O'Connor and All Black loose forward Adam Thomson are available for selection this week, after overcoming injury concerns which ruled them out of last week's season opener against the Brumbies.