Five things we learned: Queensland Reds v Brumbies

TONGAN Thor roars, a wasted talent is reborn and Brad Thorn’s fearless calls pay off. Five things we learned from Queensland’s upset win over the Brumbies.

Chris Feauai-Sautia of the Reds in action during the Round 3 Super Rugby match between the Queensland Reds and the Brumbies at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Friday, March 2, 2018. (AAP Image/Dan Peled) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

TONGAN Thor roars, a wasted talent is reborn and Brad Thorn’s fearless calls pay off. Five things we learned from Queensland’s upset win over the Brumbies.

MATCH REPORT: Reds v Brumbies

TONGAN THOR ROARS

A huge game from prop Taniela Tupou, whose charges were telling on angled runs. He also stepped up in a commanding scrum which belted a Brumbies pack with Wallabies Ben Alexander and Allan Alaalatoa in the front-row. He set a great example for the kids club pack.

THE REBIRTH OF CHRIS FEAUAI-SAUTIA

The big winger looked like being one of rugby’s great wasted talents last year but coach Brad Thorn has found the key. He’s fit and influential and made the key run with three minutes to play that all but put the result beyond doubt. Moved into the centres for the final 35 minutes.

Chris Feauai-Sautia in action against the Brumbies.

FEARLESS THORN

Coach Brad Thorn threw teenage lock Harry Hockings into the fray with 14 minutes to play. Just as big a call was taking off sharp second playmaker Duncan Paiai’aua with 35 minutes to play if that was not injury based. Thorn said he’d back the kids and he did for a big result.

WHAT THE RESULT MEANS

Losing would have pushed the Brumbies to 2-0 with two wins on the road at the head of the Australian Conference. A Reds win puts them right into the hunt for the Aussie Conference by spiking confidence and excitement among their Suncorp Stadium fans.

CARD TROUBLE

After the drama with losing Scott Higginbotham and Lukhan Tui to cards in the opening round, going to 14 men with Caleb Timu’s exit may have been destroying. Instead the Reds did not give up a point in that period. It was a terrible card call but they were resilient.

Originally published as Five things we learned: Queensland Reds v Brumbies