Queensland’s hopes of playing finals football in danger after narrow loss to the Highlanders

The Queensland Reds threw away a 14-0 lead to suffer a loss that has endangered their hopes of contesting the Super Rugby Pacific finals series.

Reds flanker Fraser McReight receives attention during Queensland’s loss to the Highlanders. Picture: Joe Allison/Getty Images

The Queensland Reds’ Super Rugby Pacific finals hopes hang by a thread after a heartbreaking 35-30 loss to the Highlanders in Dunedin on Friday night.

With his side leading 30-28 in the dying stages, Reds replacement centre Hunter Paisami gifted the Highlanders possession with what was to prove a costly knock-on when trying to pick up a loose ball.

The hosts went wide with the ball from the scrum before replacement halfback Folau Fakatava dashed down the blind side to score in the corner, with the match-winning try converted by flyhalf Freddie Burns to rub further salt into the Reds’ wounds.

The win kept alive the Highlanders’ chances of playing finals football next month, while the Reds, who picked up a point in defeat, also remain in the finals reckoning.

However, the Queenslanders are yet to cement a top-eight berth and a loss to Fijian Drua in Suva next Saturday could have dire consequences.

Reds flanker Fraser McReight paid credit to the Highlanders for the win but lamented what might have been for a Queensland side that led 14-0 and 27-14 at different stages in the contest.

Reds prop Zane Nonggorr is dejected after Queensland’s loss. Picture: Joe Allison/Getty Images

“They were able to get the job done right at money time and unfortunately that’s a big loss for us,” McReight said.

However, he was confident the Reds could bounce back in Fiji next weekend.

“It’s tough … but the one thing going for us is that it’s an eight-day turnaround so we’ll use that extra day to recover, rest up, prepare and do a job in Fiji.”

However, the Reds are expected to be without co-captains Liam Wright (shoulder) and Tate McDermott (concussion), who were both forced off in the first half.

Wright was injured in scoring the game’s opening try in the seventh minute.

However, his replacement Jake Upfield picked up where the injured flanker left off, crossing for another Queensland try five minutes later after a dazzling 95-metre movement that was started by No.8 Harry Wilson and included slick play from returning centre James O’Connor and McDermott.

But after their blistering start, the Reds couldn’t maintain their momentum, with the Highlanders scoring the game’s next two tries through winger Jona Noreki and No.8 Hugh Renton to ensure the scoreboard had been levelled by the 28th minute.

The Reds then steadied to regain the lead two minutes before half-time with a try from winger Suliasi Vunivalu.

Second-half penalty goals from flyhalf Tom Lynagh extended Queensland’s lead to 13 points before the hosts responded with a try from replacement prop Saula Ma’u.

The Highlanders then went ahead 28-27 in the 69th minute with a converted try from another replacement in Connor Garden-Bachop.

Lynagh nailed a 40-metre penalty to restore Queensland’s lead in 75th minute before Fakatava’s late try ensured it was a night to remember for the Kiwi outfit.

Originally published as Queensland’s hopes of playing finals football in danger after narrow loss to the Highlanders