As it happened: Waratahs downed by Reds Super Rugby opener

Reds 40 Waratahs 22

Tate McDermott celebrates a Reds tryCredit: Getty

Reds Backrow Unstoppable: The Waratahs could not be faulted for a lack of effort, but what a brilliant backrow Les Kiss has at his disposal and indeed the Wallabies. Wright, Wilson and McReight all work seamlessly together, not only at the breakdown, but in attack. Schmidt will have enjoyed that. In the backs, centre Josh Flook was the pick of the Reds followed by full back Petaia.

Improved Tahs: The scoreline wasn’t an easy read, but there were some causes for optimism, particularly in the first half. The lead switched hands six times, with the Tahs responding each time. The second half bodies tired and particularly in the pack, you noticed the difference when the replacement front row came on. Coleman will also have been relieved to have got Jorgensen through. This was a much-improved performance from trials.

Lynagh wins battle of 10s: He didn’t do anything spectacularly well, and benefited from an armchair ride from the outstanding McDermott, but he did his basics brilliantly, including a huge booming kick that gave his forwards the field position they needed. Edmed was kept very quiet in contrast.

Running rugby: It’s been a seriously good weekend of footy and a good advert for Super Rugby on a rainy humid night in Brisbane with both teams showing attacking intent in front of a good crowd. The Waratahs will be pleased to have seen glimpses of class from Jorgensen and Nawaqanitawase, with much to improve too. The Reds also look extremely confident to try things under Kiss.

It all came from a ridiculous soccer volley from Petaia which gave the Reds huge field position. He caught it absolutely perfectly on the fly.

Josh Flook then danced through several failed Tahs tackles, and shovels the ball for a grateful McReight to dive over.

Coleman will not be happy with that defensive effort.

McLaughlin-Phillips nails his conversion.

Reds 40 Waratahs 22

Liam Wright is tackled of the RedsCredit: Getty

They do respond!

Joey Walton gives a skip pass, Paisami sticks out his arm, the ball rebounds to Pietsch who goes in at the corner.

Edmed curls a crucial conversion over. Game on.

Reds 33 Waratahs 22

McDermott punishes the Tahs, going over on the blindside from a five metre from the scrum.

It was cruel for the Tahs, Nawaqanitawase saved a 50-22 kick by paddling it back to Jorgensen, who unfortunately was swallowed up by a sea of Reds, tackling him in his in-goal and forcing a scrum.

The Reds have really started to stretch their legs here in this second half. Can the Tahs respond?

Reds 33 Waratahs 15

Les Kiss has got the Reds going for it, they have turned down three super kickable penalties.

They turn down points and a rolling maul and Faessler gets his second try of the night.

The lead has been swapping throughout the night, but there’s a risk here that the Reds could really pull away unless the Tahs respond.

Reds 26 Waratahs 15

Tom Lynagh kicks a conversionCredit: Getty

Perese is off with concussion symptoms and Harry Wilson is on.

There’s been a fair amount of kicktennis after the frantic opening half.

Lynagh has been very impressive kicking out of hand, he has an absolute cannon of a boot that is proving a serious asset, especially as players tire.

The Reds are really starting to turn the screw with the Tahs holding up the Reds over the line, and refusing three points again, choosing to run everything.

Huge turnover from Mark Nawaqanitawase bravely going right over the ball and stays over ball to win turnover.

Reds 21 Waratahs 15

Waratahs and Reds compete for lineoutCredit: Getty

The Tahs have definitely shown up fired up and look dramatically improved from what we saw against the Rebels and Reds in preseason.

A tough yellow card on Jorgensen will make for a long opening period for the Tahs. Let’s see how they can respond on a very humid night in Brissie.

It’s been a great game to watch for the fans as the players have elected to play open, running rugby in testing conditions.

Reds 21 Waratahs 15

Round One of Super Rugby in Suncorp StadiumCredit: Getty

You cannot get a breath here.

The Reds almost over for a try but Jordan Petaia spills it after getting tackled by Jorgensen. The ref checks if it’s an early tackle, it’s a split second and yellows Jorgensen and awards a penalty try.

Right call but very tough on Jorgensen who the ref said can’t tackle on assumption.

That’s the half. Phew.

Reds 21 Waratahs 15

Brilliant stuff from Tahs, Jed Holloway somehow gets the ball away in contact

Jorgensen, dummies and skips a pass out to Dylan Pietsch who finishes in the corner.

The home fans in Brisbane thought the pass was forward, but the ref judges the full backs hands to be going backwards.

Let’s see if the Tahs can hold this slim lead before the whistle.

Reds 14 Waratahs 15