Battling entertainers Queensland finally closed out a tense Super 14 encounter, upsetting the previously-unbeaten Sharks 25-13 at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night.
The Reds breathed life into their season with the much-deserved three-tries-to-one victory which was only sealed with a 72nd-minute try to dynamic centre Digby Ioane.
Abrasive Wallabies forward Hugh McMeniman was a tower of strength for Queensland just two days after the funeral of his father Geoff, who died last Friday, hours before the 15-11 loss to NSW.
McMeniman repaired the lineout which was dismantled by the Waratahs and was a constant menace for the Sharks defence, while skipper Berrick Barnes led brilliantly in defence and attack.
Rookie prop Ben Daley stood tall in his run-on debut as the dangerous Sharks scrum was nullified.
Replacement halfback Will Genia was also inspirational, scoring a 27th-minute try for an 18-0 lead and also setting up Ioane’s match-winner with a smart flick pass from the ruck-base.
But Genia, who came on for the injured Ben Lucas (ribs), may well be in trouble with the match citing commissioner for a dangerous driving tackle on Keegan Daniel.
The victory, after a series of close losses, lifted Queensland to ninth on the ladder with a 2-3 record while the Durban-based Sharks remain third.
The Reds led 18-6 at halftime and held the advantage until the 64th minute, gamely holding on with 14 men with fullback Mark McLinden sin-binned, when the Sharks stormed back with an opportunist’s try to No.8 Ryan Kankowski.
The off-colour Sharks were unable to threaten again and were also brought down by a poor lineout and poor handling, especially from backline wonderkid Frans Steyn.
As expected, the high-flying Sharks dominated possession and territory early but the Reds defence calmly soaked up the pressure brought upon by two charged down Lucas.
Lucas didn’t take long to make amends, though, putting Johny-on-the-spot lock Adam Byrnes over for the opening try after darting to the blind and off-loading following a sweeping backline move sparked by Quade Cooper.
Lucas failed to convert but the Reds continued to chance their arm and should have had their second try when free-running Scott Higginbotham missed fellow flanker Daniel Braid capitalised with a poor pass with the line wide open.
The Reds came away with a Lucas penalty goal as a consolation for an ensuing high shot on Barnes to stretch the lead to eight.
It was one of the halfback’s final involvements as he copped a blow to the ribs and was replaced Genia, who was on the field for less than a minute before bringing the 20,582-strong crowd to their feet by diving over for the second try.
Burly No.8 broke through the tackles of Ryan Kankowski and Adri Jacobs and found young winger Blair Connor is support who was brought down by rory Kockott but popped up the pass for Genia.
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March 15th 2009 @ 7:57am
Yikes said | March 15th 2009 @ 7:57am | Report comment
Ahh – I think you mean “breathE” not “breath”.
BTW, Super win from the Reds in one of the best games of the year!! I’ve long doubted Berrick Barnes, but he had a superb game last night. Plus Genia played brilliantly when he cam on – crisp, accurate service. I’d say Lucas might be out for a few weeks and as long as Genia isn’t suspended, they won’t lose a thing.
March 15th 2009 @ 8:09am
LeftArmSpinner said | March 15th 2009 @ 8:09am | Report comment
havent seen the game yet but good to see the Reds get a win, and a big one at that. Just wish I had tipped them. Just goes to show that the comp is going to be such close one, where bonus points are going to be worth gold.
March 15th 2009 @ 10:31am
Craig said | March 15th 2009 @ 10:31am | Report comment
Barnes was great, Genia was great, Ioane was great. MOM should have gone to the no name pack wich not only held up there end but also put the vaunted Sharks under pressure. Good to see Cooper have a quiet game. It shows he doesn’t feel the need try and do it all himself, which makes the Reds a harder team to analyse. Thats not to say he didn’t contribute though, just a solid performer, especially on defense (please send the video to K Beale). The handling which has been threatening for weeks is now starting to stick and with Horwell, Holmes and Humphrys back after the break who know what this team can achieve…
March 16th 2009 @ 8:38am
Reg said | March 16th 2009 @ 8:38am | Report comment
Ben Daley was great – my man of the match. Rookie prop. I thought we held our scrum just fine and he did a pile of work around the field.
March 16th 2009 @ 9:03am
Homer said | March 16th 2009 @ 9:03am | Report comment
Higginbotham was fantastic and reminds me of Elsom. His workrate was up there with Mcmenimum who was outstanding in his defence and running of the ball.
The big difference was handling and security at the breakdown, plus defence. Hynes has to be the most feared defensive winger in the game, every week he smashes people.
A revelation was the you winger Conner. For a midget he has a massive crack at the line and always makes yards. I would love to see him in space. Big ticker and a great combo with Hynes and Mclinden, three very tough guys to tackle.
March 16th 2009 @ 9:21am
Calexico said | March 16th 2009 @ 9:21am | Report comment
Just wanted to echo other people’s thoughts on Genia – that’s what a halfback is supposed to do. I suppose he’s eligible for Australia (and commited to Union) but I bet the Kumuls would love to have him in their team.
March 16th 2009 @ 5:58pm
matt said | March 16th 2009 @ 5:58pm | Report comment
What a refreshing thing to see players passing in traffic, backing each other up (which makes passing in traffic possible), and having a crack!
March 16th 2009 @ 6:02pm
matt said | March 16th 2009 @ 6:02pm | Report comment
…and I think Hardman is a very ordinary hooker among a big hearted forward pack.
March 16th 2009 @ 9:40pm
bennalong said | March 16th 2009 @ 9:40pm | Report comment
Fantastic Reds comeback.Great to see another Aussie team building with promising young talent.
Berrick Barrnes was barely mentioned in the article but gave structure to the attack. Presumably the tdea was to shift the Reds focus away from Cooper to destroy the Sharks gameplan and if so it worked. Barnes has matured and has a sound strategic kicking game, and knows when to put the bloody ball out !
The concept of two five eights was validated.
For the rest, I agree with Homers comments entirely.
March 16th 2009 @ 10:29pm
westy said | March 16th 2009 @ 10:29pm | Report comment
The Reds are rebuilding and this is just good news for Australian rugby. Only saw highlights which can be misleading but some real attacking skill. pity about the brain explosion of the replacement half he had played so well.