Reds end Brumbies Super Rugby win streak

Sat, Apr 2, 2022, 10:40 AM
AAP
by AAP
Reds hosted the Brumbies at Suncorp Stadium.

The Queensland Reds have been left wanting more despite ending the Brumbies' unbeaten start to the Super Rugby Pacific season. 

The hosts defied another red card in a 21-7 triumph that saw them draw level with their Australian rugby rivals at the top of the ladder, three weeks out from their first clashes with New Zealand opposition.

Catch every game of the 2022 Super Rugby Pacific season on Stan Sport. Start your Free Sport Trial Now

Both sides had the fumbles in a sloppy rematch of last year's domestic final, while Reds backrower Tuaina Tualima saw red when his cleanout hit James Slipper high.

A try to Fraser McReight during the 20-minute period when they were a man down proved crucial though in a game which, both coaches agreed, lacked polish.

"We left a lot of points out there," Reds' coach Brad Thorn said.

"Where we want to go in this comp, we've got to be better. Those opportunities, loose carries, possessions.

"It's not some little thing between us and the Brumbies. It's trans-Tasman, we want to compete."

Tualima, who only started when Liam Wright hurt his ankle in the warm-up, followed prop Dane Zander in seeing red a week earlier, while Taniela Tupou was cited for a similar cleanout against the NSW Waratahs a fortnight ago.

Brumbies backrower Rob Valetini and replacement back Cam Clark, who scored the game's first try, were both shown yellow cards for a high tackle and deliberate knock down, respectively, in the second half.

Clark's effort put the Brumbies up 7-3 but the Reds, despite constant fumbles, stayed in the game thanks to scrum penalties and twice stopping the visitors' potent rolling maul on their line.

"It was dreadful, as simple as that," Brumbies coach Dan McKellar said.

"It only went for 80 minutes, is probably (the only pleasing aspect).

"I don't think it was a very good game of footy ... I get really frustrated with people who bag the game but I think both teams will review that and understand we need to be whole lot better." 

Jordan Petaia played a full game at fullback for the first time, his fourth-consecutive start yielding both brilliant and blooper moments.

A clean break before halftime ended when he was unable to link with support, while he kicked long and confidently in general play and caught a bomb that led to McReight's try.

But his performance was soured by several handling bloopers, a knock-on robbing a wide-open Filipo Daugunu of a certain try, moments before the winger did cross in his 50th Super Rugby game for the eventual match-sealer.

REDS 21

TRIES: McReight, Daugunu

CONS: O'Connor 1/2

PENS: O'Connor 3/3

BRUMBIES 7

TRIES: Clark

CONS: R Lonergan 1/1

PENS: R. Lonergan 0/1

QUEENSLAND REDS V BRUMBIES TEAMS

REDS: 15 Jordan Petaia, 14 Josh Flook, 13 Hunter Paisami, 12 Hamish Stewart, 11 Filipo Daugunu, 10 James O'Connor, 9 Tate McDermott (co-c), 8 Harry Wilson, 7 Fraser McReight, 6 Tuaina Taii Tualima, 5 Angus Blyth, 4 Ryan Smith, 3 Taniela Tupou, 2 Josh Nasser, 1 Harry Hoopert

Replacements: 16 Richie Asiata, 17 Feao Fotuaika, 18 Zane Nonggorr, 19 Connor Vest, 20 Matthew Faessler, 21 Kalani Thomas, 22 Isaac Henry, 23 Lawson Creighton

BRUMBIES: 15 Jesse Mogg, 14 Tom Wright, 13 Len Ikitau, 12 Irae Simone, 11 Andy Muirhead, 10 Rod Iona, 9 Ryan Lonergan (c), 8 Pete Samu, 7 Jahrome Brown, 6 Rob Valetini, 5 Nick Frost, 4 Darcy Swain, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 Folau Fainga'a, 1 James Slipper

Replacements: 16 Lachlan Lonergan, 17 Scott Sio, 18 Sefo Kautai, 19 Tom Hooper, 20 Ed Kennedy, 21 Nic White, 22 Hudson Creighton, 23 Cam Clark

Share
Antoine Dupont is set for significant time on the sidelines after a long-term knee injury. Photo: Getty Images
'New challenge' for Dupont after announcing torn knee ligaments
England keeps their Six Nations hopes alive. Photo: Getty Images
England crush Italy to keep Six Nations hopes alive
Coaches welcome more competitive Super Rugby landscape
Five things we learnt from Crusaders - Reds