The watchful eyes of Wallabies coach Dave Rennie tonight picked up plenty of positives from the Queensland Reds’ 34-22 victory over Moana Pasifika.
There were still dropped balls and scrappy periods but much more in the positive column at Suncorp Stadium after four straight losses.
So what we learn?
1 TATE McDERMOTT
The Reds skipper really stepped up. There was a slick, quick pass in Jock Campbell’s first try, a trademark quick tap in the lead-up to the Fraser McReight try and a bold stepping run from behind his own tryline to get his team out of trouble.
It was tough being pulled back for a try on full-time from an obvious Seru Uru forward pass.
He was committed in defence and his name as one of Australia’s frontline halfbacks to play England in July is secure.
He was a worthy winner of the Frank Ivory Medal as player of the match which honours the first Indigenous player to represent Queensland.
He has a crack and that’s the Reds’ mood with nothing to lose as a wildcard for the upcoming quarter-finals.
2 O’CONNOR KICKING GAME
James O’Connor might not get enormous length on his kicks in general play but he has really refined an excellent short kicking game.
A well-placed chip kick got play rolling for the Reds’ first try and a left-footed grubber was pinpoint on half-time for the second Jock Campbell try.
The Reds flyhalf made a couple of tackles of authority where he was placed out wide in the defensive line.
It was unfortunate he came off early with some clear discomfort with a low hamstring strain that is certain to keep him out of next Friday’s game against the Crusaders in Christchurch.
It was a timely night for Campbell to show Rennie his instincts to get into position for tries, something Suliasi Vunivalu still struggles with.
3 YELLOW CARD LEADERS
The yellow cards for hooker Matt Faessler and Fraser McReight mean the Reds are out on their own in Super Rugby Pacific’s least impressive stats category.
That’s 13 cards for the team this season, almost one per game.
You can moan all you like about them but it’s a handbrake that every other side has dealt with better.
4 RESILIENCE UNDER PRESSURE
Not for the first time this season, the Reds had to dig deep with just 13 men and seriously undermanned.
The Reds didn’t concede a point when down to 13 men or 14. Impressive.
The big play was with a seven-man scrum and just 13 on the field when the Reds splintered an attacking Moana Pasifika scrum to steal a tighthead.
It was a game-changer and credit to props Dane Zander and Sef Fa’agase and hooker Richie Asiata.
5 HARRY WILSON’S ENERGY
Big No.8 Harry Wilson is such a barometer for the Reds. He was all fizz, workrate and drive for the Queenslanders in this one.
His rugby instincts with offloads and support lines are excellent. In this game, it was his sense to pounce on an intercept to ice the game with the final try.
There was also plenty of energy for Culture Round, a wonderful initiative across the competition that the Reds' saluted with their annual Indigenous Round and jersey.
