Reds their own worst enemy after falling short in nailbiter

Queensland Reds were shooting for a guaranteed spot in the Super Rugby playoffs and its first win over the Hurricanes since 2013, but were their own worst enemy in a nailbiting loss.

Hurricanes’ Du'Plessis Kirifi breaks away from the Reds defence. Picture: Getty Images

Queensland fell ever so close to securing a finals berth on Friday night when the Hurricanes continued their reign of torment by securing a nail biting 31-27 victory at Suncorp.

Queensland were shooting for a guaranteed spot in the Super Rugby playoffs and its first win over the Hurricanes since 2013.

Conceding two tries within three minutes approaching half time and the brilliance of two-try winger Fatafehi Fineanganofo crushed those hopes before 18,126 fans.

Harry Wilson’s return game was a ginormous one but despite him besting rival No. 8 Peter Lakai, the Reds’ finals fate remains to be determined ahead of Saturday’s final-round bout against the Drua.

The four-point heartbreaker marked the Reds fifth loss in the last seven matches after being edged out in its first home game against the ‘Canes since 2017.

The finals arrived early at The Cauldron and the intensity shown by both sides was typified by there being just five combined errors across the first hour of play.

Fehi Fineanganofo scored a quickfire double. Picture: Getty Images

THRILL-A-MINUTE MADNESS

The bruising battle of fourth-versus-fifth did not disappoint. The match started with an instant ‘Canes try and ended frantically when the Reds, down by four, rampaged forward to no avail.

Blindside flanker Joe Brial and No. 8 Wilson were immense.

The Reds let rip to turn a 26-13 halftime deficit into a 27-26 lead in the 55th minute when Joe Brial barged over to score the try of the night.

Queensland had marched 100m up field before Brial’s brilliance on the left edge rewarded a 20-phase bash down of the Kiwis.

But when Wilson dropped the ball as Queensland moved in to strike a knockout blow, the tide turned and the visitors swooped to secure a spot in the finals.

The Hurricanes went the length of the field to score through winger Fineanganofo and go ahead 31-27.

There were two controversial passes in the lead up to that timely try which were deemed backwards out of the hands.

Hunter Paisami takes on the Hurricanes’ defence. Picture: Getty Images

REDS ARCHITECTS OF THEIR DEMISE

Before Queensland came out like a house on fire in the second half they shot themselves fatally in the foot during the five minutes leading up to half time.

Tom Lynagh had moved them in front (32nd) 13-12 with his second penalty goal of the match, before two quick tries by the visitors saw them retake a telling 26-13 lead.

Elite scrumhalf Cam Roigard and outside centre Billy Proctor both took advantage of flaccid Reds defence to twist the knife.

Joe Brial celebrates after scoring a try. Picture: Getty Images

The Reds were their own worst enemies. The Hurricanes second try, scored by left wing Fineanganofo, was a byproduct of two Hunter Paisami missed tackles in quick succession.

Roigard’s try could have been prevented had fullback Jock Campbell cleanly gathered his chip kick.

Proctor just wanted it more when he wrestled past Richie Asiata and crashed over for a 13-point buffer.

The Reds had returned well from a try by Ruben Love within the first 90 seconds with an immediate response in the form of a McDermott try. It was Mcdermott’s first of two he scored in a brilliant captain’s knock that looked to be enough before the ‘Canes finished the better of the two.

Originally published as Reds their own worst enemy after falling short in nailbiter