Queensland Reds retain Bob Templeton Cup with victory over the NSW Waratahs

Despite being at one stage reduced to 13 men, the Queensland Reds proved too strong for the NSW Waratahs at Suncorp Stadium.

Reds players celebrate a try during Queensland’s win over the NSW Waratahs. Picture: Dan Peled/Getty Images

The Queensland Reds overcame the dismissal of prop Dane Zander and the sin-binning of co-captain Tate McDermott to retain the Bob Templeton Cup with a 32-20 defeat of the NSW Waratahs at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night.

Down to 13 men for 10 minutes either side of halftime, the Reds survived before stamping their authority on the contest with three tries in the space of 15 second-half minutes.

However, Queensland’s hopes of a bonus-point win were dashed in the dying stages when Waratahs replacement Tom Horton crashed over.

But in sometimes difficult conditions due to a heavy downpour, the Reds will be satisfied with their fifth win from six Super Rugby Pacific matches this season.

For the weakened Waratahs, it was their third loss of the campaign, with two of those defeats having come against the Reds.

Despite his sin-binning for a deliberate knockdown late in the first half, Reds halfback McDermott was impressive in his return from an ankle injury that sidelined him for three matches.

However, McDermott wasn’t entirely satisfied with his side’s win.

“We’re just putting ourselves under immense pressure in that aspect by having two people off the field, myself included, so I’ve let the team down there,” he said.

“We spoke all week about our discipline and again it’s just letting us down.”

Reds halfback Tate McDermott (centre) stands over a scrum during his side’s win over the Waratahs at Suncorp Stadium. Picture: Dan Peled/Getty Images

McDermott was tough on himself in his comeback from injury.

“It was scrappy. I was happy with most of my kicks ... but for me I’ve got to keep grinding on the service,” he said.

“(There were) wet conditions but that’s not an excuse. I’ve just got to keep getting better there.”

Powerful Reds prop Taniela Tupou – who was successful midweek in having a two-game ban for alleged foul play in Queensland’s 16-12 loss to the first-placed Brumbies – was also a standout during his 66 minutes on the field.

Waratahs assistant coach Jason Gilmore was disappointed with his side’s failure to capitalise on their numerical advantage when the Reds had two fewer players on the field.

“You’ve got to take advantage in those situations,” Gilmore said.

“Discipline really hurt us, and probably in that period of time as well when you’ve got the numbers advantage, the last thing you can do is give away penalties and let the Reds chew away the clock.”

Despite the Reds’ overall dominance, it was the Waratahs who grabbed a shock early lead, defying the wet conditions to score out wide in the ninth minute through young halfback Jack Grant, who continued to deputise for the injured Jake Gordon.

After a sloppy start, the Reds finally got into a groove and were unlucky not to score in the 18th minute when hooker Josh Nasser was held up over the tryline.

Queensland’s pressure finally paid off in the 27th minute when McDermott beat four Waratahs on a darting run from the base of the ruck to score his first try of the season.

But the Reds’ night became complicated four minutes later when front-rower Zander was sent off after his shoulder made contact with the head of Waratahs prop Ruan Smith.

Worse was to follow for Queensland when McDermott was sin-binned a minute before halftime for deliberate knocking down a Waratahs pass.

Despite the setbacks, the Reds led 13-10 at halftime.

The Waratahs levelled scores at 13-13 with a Tane Edmed penalty in the 47th minute.

However, the Reds then gained the ascendancy when Tupou barged over in the 54th minute.

Tupou came close to scoring again in the 65th minute, but from the next play, flanker Fraser McReight scored from close range.

The icing on the cake was provided three minutes later from Reds winger Jock Campbell, who after intercepting an Edmed pass, sprinted 65 metres to score and ensure the Waratahs would return to Sydney as losers.

Originally published as Queensland Reds retain Bob Templeton Cup with victory over the NSW Waratahs