Reds wing Eto Nabuli's hat-trick was in vain as his side slumped to a 26-19 defeat against the Force in Perth on Thursday.

In an impressive come-from-behind display, the Force secured their first win of the season thanks to a late flourish. 

Nabuli's three-try performance highlighted an otherwise scrappy affair, filled with handling errors and foul-play indiscretions.

The hosts were on the board first when Chance Peni found a gaping hole in the Reds defence to score the opening try. But a brace of tries in the space of a minute by Nabuli put the visitors 12-5 up before a converted try on the stroke of half-time levelled matters at 12-12.

Nabuli completed his hat-trick soon after the resumption, but the introduction of Ian Prior for the Force made all the difference. His three penalties, and outside centre Curtis Rona's 70th-minute try, saw coach Dave Wessel's side secure an unlikely win. 

Force – Tries: Chance Peni, Matt Philip, Curtis Rona. Conversion: Jono Lance. Penalties: Ian Prior (3).
Reds – Tries: Eto Nabuli (3). Conversions: Quade Cooper (2).

Force – 15 Dane Haylett-Petty, 14 Luke Morahan, 13 Curtis Rona, 12 Billy Meakes, 11 Chance Peni, 10 Jono Lance, 9 Ryan Louwrens, 8 Brynard Stander, 7 Kane Koteka, 6 Ross Haylett-Petty, 5 Adam Coleman, 4 Matt Philip, 3 Jermaine Ainsley, 2 Heath Tessmann (c), 1 Ben Daley.

Subs: 16 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 17 Pek Cowan, 18 Tetera Faulkner, 19 Richard Hardwick, 20 Isi Naisarani, 21 Michael Ruru, 22 Ian Prior, 23 Alex Newsome.

Reds – 15 Karmichael Hunt, 14 Chris Kuridrani, 13 Samu Kerevi, 12 Duncan Paia’aua, 11 Eto Nabuli, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Nick Frisby, 8 Scott Higginbotham, 7 George Smith, 6 Adam Korczyk, 5 Kane Douglas, 4 Rob Simmons, 3 Sam Talakai, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 James Slipper (c).

Subs: 16 Andrew Ready, 17 Sef Fa’agase, 18 Taniela Tupou, 19 Izack Rodda, 20 Hendrik Tui, 21 James Tuttle, 22 Jake McIntyre, 23 Izaia Perese.

Photo: Paul Kane/Getty Images