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Despondent Reds after a Hurricanes try. AAP Image/NZPA, Ross Setford
Queensland’s Super rugby finals fairytale was almost certainly blown away after a second half capitulation resulted in a 44-21 loss to the Hurricanes in Wellington on Friday.
The Reds enjoyed a 21-8 advantage after 39 minutes but leaked 36 straight points either side of the break.
Undisciplined play cost them dearly, as they lost the lead after conceding two converted tries while young flanker Anthony Shaw was in the sin-bin for a lifting tackle in the opening minute of the second half.
The result enabled the Hurricanes to leapfrog the Reds and Crusaders into third and Queensland could drop further if the Waratahs and Brumbies win on Saturday.
Queensland, who started the penultimate round in fourth, must win their final round home game against the Highlanders and hope other results go their way.
Three converted tries in 11 minutes from some typically enterprising play gave Queensland the ascendancy, but they didn’t produce a single point outside that burst.
“We tried to play, but in the end we weren’t disciplined enough to pull it off,” Reds coach Ewen McKenzie said.
“When you play catch up the risk is you are going to make mistakes. Your whole psyche changes and you start pushing.”
The Hurricanes, who finish off against the Waratahs in Sydney, scored six tries to three.
All Blacks winger Hosea Gear crossed three times in 18 minutes either side of halftime.
McKenzie said regardless of where Queensland ended up after this weekend they needed to focus on producing a decent performance next week.
The Reds struck back quickly after Gear scored the first try of the game, with in form halves Will Genia and Quade Cooper the architects of their surge.
A Genia break near halfway following a great aerial catch by Cooper set up flanker Scott Higginbotham.
Winger Rod Davies zipped 40 metres to score the second, but reinjured his hamstring a few minutes later.
Outside centre Will Chambers then won the chase to a Cooper kick for try number three.
The Hurricanes struck a crucial blow in the closing seconds of the half following a tap penalty inside their own half after the siren.
Jane combined brilliantly with Gear down the left with the latter scoring his second try and reducing the Reds halftime advantage to eight points.
The Hurricanes ruthlessly capitalised on their numerical advantage and some scatty play by Queensland after Shaw’s indiscretion.
Chambers threw a suicidal pass near his own line, which cannoned off Genia and ultimately ended in a try in the left hand corner to Gear.
The Hurricanes crossed again just before Shaw returned through winger Tamati Ellison and Gear completed his hat-trick as the Reds struggled to convert what little possession they did get into points.
Asked about the sin-binning McKenzie said “from a severity point of view I don’t know, but if you lift in a tackle you ask the referee to make decisions.”
The demoralised Reds conceded a sixth try to replacement back David Smith and a few late attacks failed to deliver them a five-pointer which would have got them a bonus point.
McKenzie was pleased with the debut performance of lock Radike Samo and the efforts of “usual suspects” Genia and Cooper.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.