Hurricanes score 30 unanswered points to end Queensland’s hopes of a Super Rugby Pacific upset win

The Queensland Reds were on target to cause an upset until the Hurricanes stepped up a gear in ‘Super Round’ at AAMI Park.

The Queensland Reds blew a golden chance to inflict a rare defeat on New Zealand opposition as they gave up a 17-point lead to lose to the Hurricanes in Saturday night’s Super Rugby Pacific clash at AAMI Park.

Trailing 17-0 after half an hour, the Hurricanes responded with 30 unanswered points to win 30-17.

It was a bitter pill to swallow for the Reds, who were desperate for an improved showing against Kiwi teams following their disappointing 2021 Super Rugby Trans-Tasman campaign.

And having made a dream start to their “Super Round” clash, the Queenslanders seemed on target to not only continue their impressive Super Rugby Pacific campaign with another win but also strike a much-need blow for Australian clubs against their Kiwi counterparts.

However, it again wasn’t to be, as a combination of undisciplined play and poor ball handling, plus some Hurricanes class, ended any hopes of a Reds win.

Reds coach Brad Thorn said he and his players were “gutted”.

“These New Zealand sides will make you pay ... for a lack of discipline,” Thorn said.

“You’ve got to learn your lessons fast.”

Queensland’s Fraser McReight (left) and the Hurricanes’ TJ Perenara battle for possession at AAMI Park. Picture: Kelly Defina/Getty Images

Hurricanes coach Jason Holland said his side would “take a lot” from the opening half an hour of the match,

“It took a while for us to adjust to a few things, and what we’ve learnt is that possession’s key,” Holland said.

Flanker Fraser McReight was superb for the Queenslanders and didn’t deserve to be on the losing team.

McReight was one of the Reds’ two try-scorers in what was a dream start by the Reds, who were also aided by poor early discipline from the Hurricanes.

Having dominated early possession and territory, the Queenslanders were rewarded in the 24th minute when Hamish Stewart scored next to the posts after capitalising on an initial break from his centre partner Hunter Paisami and a brilliant short pass from powerhouse prop Taniela Tupou.

Then with the Hurricanes reduced to 14 men following the sin-binning of Pouri Rakete-Stones for a high tackle, the Reds struck again in the 28th minute through McReight.

Flyhalf Lawson Creighton’s conversion gave the Reds a 17-0 lead and an upset was well and truly on the cards.

However, that was the end of Queensland’s joy, with the Hurricanes comeback starting with their own two tries before halftime from centre Bailyn Sullivan – who had earlier also spent time in the sin-bin for a dangerous tackle on Paisami – and prop Tyrel Lomax.

Lomax’s try came after the half-time siren when the Reds only had 14 men on the field following the sin-binning of Connor Vest for a high tackle Hurricanes skipper Ardie Savea.

Having reduced Queensland’s lead to three points at the break, the Hurricanes went on with the job after half-time, with further tries to Lomax and Sullivan sealing their win.

Originally published as Hurricanes score 30 unanswered points to end Queensland’s hopes of a Super Rugby Pacific upset win