The quality of rugby played by the Queensland Reds in Townsville turned into a welcome victory to interrupt the landslide Kiwi dominance of Super Rugby Trans-Tasman.
The 33-3 king hit by half-time produced some wonderful tries, clinical finishing and sustained pressure en route to a 40-34 victory over the Chiefs.
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“Sustained” is the key word there because the NSW Waratahs, Brumbies and Melbourne Rebels all had encouraging periods of play but nowhere near long enough to win games.
So what did we learn from Round Three?
1 THE REAL REDS STOOD UP
It would be easy to say this was a win orchestrated by halfback Tate McDermott’s clever scurries or No.8 Harry Wilson’s big game. The truth is there were high performers across the park for the Queenslanders which is the only formula to beat a top Kiwi side.
Winger Filipo Daugunu (14 carries for 133m) had his best game of the year and fellow try-scoring wing Suliasi Vunivalu showed his finishing class and balance.
The victory was always going to start in the pack. There was authority aplenty there. Lock Lukhan Salakaia-Loto cranked out 10 runs and made the last of his 11 tackles in the final minute to force a turnover.
Prop Taniela Tupou bounded into the Chiefs 13 times as a ball-carrier to go with his authoritative scrum work. Backrower Angus Scott-Young was non-stop.
“As Queenslanders, the last couple of weeks haven’t represented us,” Reds coach Brad Thorn said of poor showings against the Highlanders and Crusaders.
Thorn got the big performance he was after. Repeating the intensity will make Friday night’s clash against the table-topping Blues at Suncorp Stadium a ripper.
2 IZAIA PERESE
The try-scoring centre’s 11 runs for 82m came with 10 tackle busts. He was even ripping for turnovers at the tackle area. That’s some stats readout against the Crusaders.
The NSW Waratahs' back remains a conundrum. He is so damaging as a ball-runner with his pumping fend and ability to shrug off tackles.
That’s why former Wallabies coach Michael Cheika took him away on two tours as an exciting project player to build other dimensions of his game.
Unfortunately, some of those other skills are still not up to scratch. Perese struggles to position supports as was the case with his big early break because he could not find a way to link with a screaming Will Harrison.
His defence one-on-one is strong but he has to work better in a defensive system although the Waratahs’ system has been flawed all season.
He’s still super-exciting raw material.
3 AARON SMITH
All Blacks halfback Smith is 32 but may well be getting better. His sublime reflex catch and flick pass in the Sio Tomkinson try for the Highlanders against the Rebels might be the best handling skill you see all season.
He is one reason why it is such a pleasure to watch the best of the sweeping Kiwi tries in Super Rugby Trans-Tasman.
4 CARTER GORDON AND ISAAC HENRY
Super Rugby Trans-Tasman is proving a great vehicle to assess emerging Aussie talent.
New Reds inside centre Isaac Henry, 22, was impressive with his direct running and inside lines for two tries against the Chiefs.
Equally, flyhalf Carter Gordon is finally getting his chance to shine at the Rebels.
Gordon has been almost invisible in Reds and Rebels squads because of injuries and learning his trade behind other No.10s in recent seasons.
He’s only 20 but he showed some fine touches against the Highlanders with his catch-and-pass skills.
He’s a tough kid too when it comes to tackling.
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5 ALLAN ALAALATOA
There wasn’t a win to celebrate the milestone but Brumbies skipper Allan Alaalatoa deserves rich credit for reaching 100 Super Rugby games against the Blues.
The one-club prop is a powerful role model for young Pacific islander players believing they can reach any height in the game. Like Christian Lealiifano (Brumbies), Matt To’omua (Rebels) and Toutai Kefu (Reds), Alaalatoa is all quality as a person.
“He epitomises what the Brumbies are all about...hardworking, resilient, very welcoming and always looking to empower others,’ Brumbies coach Dan McKellar said of Alaalatoa.
