Queensland have opened their 2025 Super Rugby Pacific campaign with a high-octane 56-36 win over Moana Pasifika in Brisbane.
The Reds outscored Moana eight tries to five but it wasn’t always smooth sailing with Hunter Paisami, Ryan Smith and Fraser McReight all conceding first half yellow cards at Suncorp Stadium.
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Each came after a maroon-swamped start to the contest with Seru Uru, Filipo Daugunu and Tim Ryan scoring inside the first 15 minutes to have their rivals reeling.
Trailing 21-0, Moana managed to claw their way back via an Ardie Savea try as the Reds’ discipline crumbled with three quickfire yellow cards – the last of which went to McReight on the stroke of half time
The second stanza should’ve been Moana’s with William Havili’s three-pointer and an early two-man advantage but Queensland had other ideas, mauling over against the run of play via Matt Faessler to lead 28-8.
Yet the chaos was just beginning as back-to-back Moana tries via wing duo Solomon Alaimolo and Kyren Taumoefolau swung the margin back to 28-22 with 27 minutes to play.
The Reds duly returned serve with their own one-two punch on the hour mark – first Angus Blyth and then Ryan Smith dotting down – but the unease around Suncorp persisted as Taumoefolau banked his second try out wide to set up a grandstand finish.
It wasn’t until Daugunu’s 71st minute break to send McReight over that Reds fans began to breathe easy before Harry McLaughlin-Phillips and Allan Craig traded tries in the dying stages.
“Obviously so happy with that win there, it was a fast game of footy,” Wilson told Stan Sport post-game.
“The speed’s right up and brings fatigue into the game, probably why we saw so many points scored.
“Our tight five worked hard for us in that first half and we saw the benefits in the second 40 there.”
Reds 56 (Tries: Uru, Daugunu, Ryan, Faessler, Blyth, Smith, McReight, McLaughlin-Phillips; Cons: Lynagh 7, McLaughlin-Phillips) def Moana Pasifika 36 (Tries: Savea, Aiaimalo, Taumoefolau 2, Craig; Cons: Havili 4)
REDS (1-15): Sef Fa'agase, Richie Asiata, Massimo De Lutiis, Josh Canham, Ryan Smith, Seru Uru, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson, Tate McDermott (c), Tom Lynagh, Filipo Daugunu, Hunter Paisami, Josh Flook, Tim Ryan, Jock Campbell
Replacements: Matt Faessler, George Blake, Zane Nonggorr, Angus Blyth, Joe Brial, Kalani Thomas, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Lachie Anderson
PASIFIKA (1-15): James Lay, Millennium Sanerivi, Feteleti Sae-Ta'ufo'ou, Samuel Slade, Allan Craig, Miracle Faillagi, Sione Havili Talitui, Ardie Savea (c), Jonathan Taumateine, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Kyren Taumoefolau, Lalomilo Lalomilo, Pepesana Patafilo, Solomon Alaimalo, William Havili
Replacements: Sama Malolo, Tito Tuipulotu, Chris Apoua, Tom Savage, Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa, Melani Matavao, Danny Toala, Losi Filipo
Referee: Paul Williams
Assistant Referees: Angus Mabey, Mike Winter
TMO: Richard Kelly
