Focused Western Force keen to turn the tables on Reds

The Western Force have put an emphasis on acting like champions this week as they attempt to right the wrongs from their round-two slaughtering at the hands of the Queensland Reds.

The Force were thrashed 71-20 by the Reds in Melbourne on March 5, and they are desperate to make amends in Saturday night's rematch at Suncorp Stadium.

Captain Michael Wells lamented his side's complacency in the days leading up to the first fixture against the Reds, and there's been more determination among Force players this week.

Coach Simon Cron feels his team has learned the lessons from their flawed build-up to the round-two flop.

"Last time we played the Reds, there were a few things during the week we weren't happy with," Cron told reporters on Friday.

"Champions behave like champions all the time, and we had a few things during the week that were a little bit off putting for the team.

"The key focus this week is to be focused, and to make sure they focus on their roles.

"We're crystal clear on what our roles are in the team both in defence and attack, and it's making sure we nail those rather than becoming individual like we did last time."

The match is significant for the finals hopes of both sides.

The Force (13 points) moved from 11th to eighth on the back of last week's 30-17 win over the Highlanders, while the Reds (15 points) sit in sixth place after snapping a three-match losing streak with a 40-28 win over Moana Pasifika.

The top eight teams in the 12-team competition make the finals, but Cron isn't putting a huge emphasis on the ladder.

"If you focus on the ladder, you tie yourself in knots," he said.

"You have to focus on what we do and how we do it.

"Realistically, if we do our job, the ladder will take care of itself."

The Reds welcome back captain Liam Wright and lock Seru Uru from injury, while the Force will be without prop Tom Robertson (calf), flanker Ollie Callan (neck) and winger Toni Pulu (concussion).

Callan spent several nights in hospital after injuring his neck in a tackle last week, but he's on track to return to action later this season.

"Luckily there's no serious damage," Cron said.

"My understanding is that it's just some soft tissue.

"When you get compressed, you sometimes get a bit of trauma to the soft tissue."