Two tries from intercepts helped the cause but the Queensland Reds had far too much firepower for longer in soundly beating the Rebels 44-19 in Melbourne.
But what else did we learn from AAMI Park.
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KOROIBETE v PETAIA
It was a points decision to Marika Koroibete over Jordan Petaia in their wing duel. Koroibete came off his wing for some metre-gaining runs and slipped a super behind the back pass even though chances were limited in a losing team. Little play ran Petaia’s way considering the Reds scored six tries but there continue to be little skill errors...spilling a kick-off with Koroibete bearing down on him and miscuing a kick out on the full. Frank Lomani was actually the best winger on the field with his dummying line-breaks taking the ball as first or second receiver.
THIGH-TIME
Reds prop Taniela Tupou is building a remarkable resume. He’s dominating scrums, slipping passes like a back and scoring tries aplenty. On Saturday night, it was two trademark tries. Stopping him from half a metre out is next to impossible when those legs start pumping on a low pick-and-drive. What is even more impressive is a 129kg prop having the ball sense to back up a break from his five-eighth. He has to work on his dive though...he completed try No.2 with a half-swan dive which might have earned only “3s” from Olympic diving judges. Twenty Super Rugby tries for a prop....crazy.
IT’S NOT ALL ABOUT THE SUPERSTARS
Accomplished Super Rugby players outside the Test ranks have always been glue for the best sides. Think the likes of Tom Cusack, Lachie McCaffrey, Will Miller, Brynard Stander, Michael Wells and Andy Muirhead in recent seasons.
At the Reds, it’s Jock Campbell, Alex Mafi, Angus Scott-Young, Bryce Hegarty, Angus Blyth and Hamish Stewart, who celebrated his 50th game in this match.
Between them, there’s been a big contribution to all six wins this season. In this one, Scott-Young's lineout wins and workrate, Stewart’s savvy early kick and tackling, Hegarty’s sure catching under two high balls and Campbell’s hustling kick chase to set up field position for the first try were all important elements.
HALFBACK FORMGUIDE
The Wallabies are blessed with in-form halfbacks. Reds No.9 Tate McDermott had another strong game, including two excellent front-on tackles to halt Marika Koroibete.
His showing comes on top of Jake Gordon’s five-star showing for the NSW Waratahs against the Brumbies where Nic White is performing week after week.
O’CONNOR LEADING THE WAY
With so many weapons in his side, Reds five-eighth James O’Connor is relishing a little more room now opposition sides can’t just double-team him in defence.
Sweeping back to the left to set up the second Tupou try with a line-break and his neat little shift of the ball for the Jock Campbell try were classy touches done well.
Rebels No.10 Matt Toomua delayed a nice ball to put Lomani over and another put centre Stacey Ili into space.
READ MORE:
REDS ROLL REBELS: Taniela too good in try double
NAILBITER: Waratahs v Brumbies: Five things we learned
TOUTAI TONGA: Wallabies great holds the reins
