Reds v Brumbies: Warning shots fired with complete performance
The ladder positions couldn’t have changed, but the Reds received the confidence of knowing they can beat the Brumbies in a complete performance ahead of a potential grand final meeting.
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Queensland issued the Brumbies a warning ahead of a potential Super Rugby AU grand final meeting between the teams with a 26-7 win at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night.
The result meant nothing in terms of ladder positions, with the Brumbies already having secured top spot and the Reds having locked away second place before the game.
However, the three-tries-to-one win was important for the Reds to prove to themselves they could beat the Brumbies, who had twice got the better of Queensland by narrow margins this year.
Despite the loss, the Brumbies – who were unusually sloppy - will host the grand final in a fortnight’s time in Canberra.
For the Reds to earn another shot at the Brumbies in the decider, they must beat the Melbourne Rebels in next Saturday’s semi-final at Suncorp Stadium.
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The Rebels qualified for the semi-final earlier on Saturday with a thrilling 34-30 win over the Western Force.
But they will have to improve to get the better of the Reds, who were again very impressive in front of 9922 fans on Saturday night.
The Reds went on the attack early and were rewarded with the game’s first try in just the sixth minute.
Having held the ball for several phases, the Reds went wide, with fullback Jock Campbell delivering a sublime flick pass to captain Liam Wright, who crossed for his eighth Super Rugby try as part of a performance that earned him man-of-the-match honours and the Frank Ivory Medal.
Flyhalf James O’Connor missed the conversion but kicked a penalty goal in the 18th minute to extend Queensland’s lead to 8-0.
The Brumbies finally awoke from their slumber with a slick 60-metre movement that seemed certain to secure their first try of the match through centre Tevita Kuridrani.
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But a last-gasp tackle from Reds halfback Tate McDermott was enough to force Kuridrani into a handling error as he crossed the try-line.
A forward pass then cost Reds No.8 Harry Wilson a try in the 26th minute before another O’Connor penalty put Queensland 11-0 ahead five minutes later.
The Reds’ excellent first-half continued in the 36th-minute when returning winger Chris Feauai-Sautia scored out wide after a slick backline movement also involving O’Connor, Campbell and centre Hamish Stewart.
O’Connor’s conversion increased Queensland’s lead to 18-0.
But the Brumbies had the final say of the half, with No.8 Pete Samu scoring after the hooter and Bayley Kuenzle converting to cut the Reds’ lead to 11 at the break.
However the Reds composed themselves at half-time, and were the only team to score points in the second half courtesy of another O’Connor penalty and a late McDermott try.