Super Rugby Pacific 2025: Clarity bringing the best out of Reds’ revelation Lachie Anderson

More brilliance from four-try record-breaker Lachie Anderson may need to be on the menu for the Queensland Reds to upset the in-form Crusaders in Christchurch in Friday’s qualifying final of Super Rugby Pacific.

Lachie Anderson of the Reds celebrates with team mates after scoring a try during the round 16 Super Rugby Pacific match between Queensland Reds and Fijian Drua at Suncorp Stadium, on May 31, 2025, in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

More brilliance from four-try record-breaker Lachie Anderson may need to be on the menu for the Queensland Reds to upset the in-form Crusaders in Christchurch in Friday’s qualifying final of Super Rugby Pacific.

Anderson went where no Queenslander has before last Saturday at Suncorp Stadium when he scored four tries to propel the Reds to a 52-7 belting of the Fijian Drua.

“It’s not just my name down on the scoresheet there, I think it was a really complete performance from one to 23 and it’s set us a real nice platform heading into finals,” Anderson said.

Anderson arrived at the club at the start of the season following the demise of the Melbourne Rebels, joining top-gun recruits Filipo Daugunu (outside back), Josh Canham (lock) and Lukhan Salakai-Loto (lock) who have done more than bolster Queensland’s depth.

Lachie Anderson of the Rebels celebrates scoring a try during the round three Super Rugby Pacific match between Melbourne Rebels and NSW Waratahs at AAMI Park, on March 10, 2023, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

Anderson especially has been a revelation, having started 13 of 14 games and been one of the competition’s best kick-chasers and searchers for chances off his wing.

He’s scored from set plays, with pick-and-goes and even buried his head into rolling mauls to shunt them across the tryline as well as traditional finishing on his sideline.

“It’s amazing what clarity on your future can do,” said Anderson, who wasn’t promised anything given the depth in Queensland’s wing spots.

“It wasn’t easy down in Melbourne with what the club went through.

“Unless you were there and living through the day to day stuff, not many people actually know how tough that was.

“To be able to come up here to a program that I’ve really enjoyed and have clarity, it has allowed me to focus on my rugby.”

Anderson and a hairstyle that doesn’t seem to shift a hair in the harshest conditions is enjoying life at Ballymore.

“It was tough, the unknown,” Anderson said on the Rebels demise in 2024.

“There was blokes with families, kids in schools and you didn’t know what that was going to be like in six months time so I am very fortunate to be up here in a great program with a great coaching staff and players.”

Lachie Anderson of the Reds scores a try during the round 11 Super Rugby Pacific match between Queensland Reds and Blues at Suncorp Stadium, on April 25, 2025, in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Much to the delight of scrumhalf Tate McDermott, the stability at Ballymore has brought the best out of the former Australian Men’s Sevens player and 36-cap Rebel.

“He’s really underrated,” McDermott said, a former rugby 7s teammate of Anderson.

“I always used to think he was a bit of a hybrid flanker playing on the wing but he’s shown he is a true class winger.

“His ability to get up under the high ball, get it back, he’d have a bloody high percentage. That’s been a real strength of ours.

“He’s a rock defensively and he’s quick so he’s been a really valuable asset to our team.”