Queensland Reds beat NSW Waratahs 14-12 in Super Rugby clash at ANZ Stadium

UPDATE: WARATAHS coach Michael Cheika says making the finals in 2014 must be part of his team’s psychology.

UPDATE: WARATAHS coach Michael Cheika says making the finals in 2014 must be part of his teamÂ’s psychology.

NSW has not made the playoffs two years in succession but after last night’s 14-12 loss to Queensland, finished with eight wins for 2013, double that of the diabolical previous year.

“I want to make the finals next year, I am not a loser, I certainly want to make the finals,” Cheika said.

“Our ambition has got to be equal to our actual substance.

“We will definitely have bigger ambitions [in 2014], no doubt.”

CHEIKA BLASTS REBELS OVER BEALE

Berrick Barnes finished his Waratahs career with a missed field goal attempt that gave Queensland the two-point win.

Playing his final game for NSW, Japan-bound Barnes sprayed his post-buzzer field goal wide, having earlier missed penalty goal attempt, with NSW kicking just one of five attempts at ANZ Stadium.

Berrick Barnes

In a horrid second half display by both teams, just two penalties were kicked by Quade Cooper, proving the difference.

The second half was a frustrating affair of handling errors, inaccurate passes and penalties.

Wallaby hopeful Cooper displayed his usual rocks-or-diamonds skill, throwing two intercept passes, kicking the ball out on the full twice, setting up the Reds’ only try and kicking the important goals.

The Waratahs held a 12-8 lead at halftime, courtesy of two tries through Cam Crawford and Barnes.

The Reds crossed once, out wide, in an entertaining first 40 minutes when both sides used a ball-in-hand approach.

The Reds, who had already qualified for the finals, were eager to score tries and rejected attempts at goal several times in favour of attacking NSW’s line.

Fullback Crawford scored the first try in the 12th minute, bursting on to an inside pass from Brendan McKibbin before powering through three tacklers to score under the posts.

Will Skelton

Cooper then orchestrated Queensland’s reply, taking a quick tap from a penalty, before later throwing a bullet cutout pass to unmarked fullback Ben Lucas on the sideline for the Reds’ first try in the 20th minute.

But nine minutes later Cooper’s attempted inside pass to winger Rod Davies on halfway was intercepted by McKibbin, who raced downfield before passing to Barnes who slid over in the corner.

Waratahs hooker John Ulugia was wrongly sin-binned in the 26th after referee Steve Walsh ruled he hadn’t used arms in a tackle on Davies.

It was an overly cautious decision, with Ulugia unable to wrap his arms around Davies because his initial contact sent the winger flying backwards.

QUEENSLAND REDS 14 (Ben Lucas try Quade Cooper 3 pens) NSW WARATAHS 12 (Berrick Barnes, Cam Crawford tries Brendan McKibbin con) at ANZ Stadium. Referee: Steve R. Walsh. Crowd: 26,037.