Beyond the result, this was a terrific game as the Reds secured a home grand final.
The Queensland Reds showed patience and poise to win a beauty at the death 24-22 over the Brumbies. It was a grand final dress rehearsal.
Jim Tucker looks at what we learnt.
1. Wallabies No.10 settled
James O’Connor locked up the No.10 jersey for the Wallabies with a classy all-round showing.
He orchestrated the Reds’ comeback from 15-6 down with a cool head. He took penalty goal shots when on offer, he directed the pinpoint high ball for the Jordan Petaia try, cross-kicked expertly in the lead-up to the Josh Flook try and was the clear general.
When he was tackled a little late by Darcy Swain, he got up and made a jinking run on his next touch. Quality.
And did we say he could kick clutch match winners?
2. Air Jordan
This is the Jordan Petaia we want to see...hugely influential in big games.
His soaring leap to catch O’Connor’s kick for a strike back try was superb. Equally, his crunching tackle on Len Ikitau and his 50-22 kick were vital.
3. Valetini time
A huge game of thundering power again from Brumbies flanker Rob Valetini.
He fended Josh Flook early, hit Lukhan Salakaia-Loto with a beauty and had three touches on one Brumbies raid.
Test time perhaps.
4. Winning back the fans
The 19,185-fan roll-up was the best of 2020-21 for the Reds. All will be back after a cracker of a game.
A Reds-Brumbies final to Super Rugby AU will pull 35,000 to Suncorp Stadium.
5. McReight is X-factor
Reds flanker Fraser McReight is building a superb case as Michael Hooper’s successor.
How soon that will be or when Hooper will be rested from Tests to let McReight develop will be fascinating over the next three seasons.
READ MORE:
ALL-TIME CLASSIC: Reds seal home final
ON THE BELL: Force secure victory
SUPER FINISH: McKenzie seals historic Chiefs win
