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Sometimes Lady Luck can strike, and in one hit dramatically change a sporting campaign – Reds coach Richard Graham and his troops have their fingers crossed.
The Reds flew into Bloemfontein, with six straight losses on their CV, to take on the Cheetahs who are always hard to beat at altitude.
And when the hosts led 10-0 in a hurry, the general reaction was “here we go again”.
But the Reds stiffened, and by the break were down 10-3.
Early in the second session, James O’Connor showed he’s lost nothing of that natural talent by making two stunning busts that led to tries by 20-year-old flanker Adam Korczyk, and centre Samu Kerevi, to hit the front.
The Cheetahs retaliated and with 24 minutes to go led 17-15, until Reds fly-half Nick Frisby put his hand up with a drop goal, and the Reds took back the lead 18-17, with seven minutes to go.
Surely nothing could go wrong now?
Oh yes it could. Former All Black Adam Thomson was pinged in the shadow of full-time for handling the ball in the ruck.
The Cheetahs deadly accurate goal-kicker Joe Pietersen stepped up with three from three for the day, having never looked like missing.
He was 38m out in front, and when his boot struck the back of the ball, there was exactly 30 seconds left on the clock.
Not again?
Pietersen had plenty of height, but at the last moment it slammed into the upright.
On the Reds’ run of luck it didn’t fall into Cheetahs hands for a try, but into the safe hands of O’Connor, where the ball was cleared from the ensuring ruck.
Reds 18-17, the drought broken, thanks to a huge slice of luck gift-wrapped by the good Lady.
Now the Reds are off the bottom of the Australian Conference table, next up will be the table-topping Hurricanes at the Reds’ Suncorp fortress.
May I suggest to Richard Graham and his senior players they grab the 80-minute tape of the Waratahs’ gutsy 29-24 win over the previously unbeaten ‘Canes in Wellington last weekend?
The Waratahs had no right to win on stats alone, denying the Hurricanes a record eighth win on the trot.
But win they did, and there’s no reason why the Reds can’t inflict a second successive defeat over the very talented Hurricanes, to get their campaign back on track.
One thing I’ve learned over the years is never underestimate a sporting team from Queensland – be it rugby, rugby league, or cricket.
Sure, the Reds are suffering from a spate of injuries, but out of adversity comes a gem like benchman Adam Korzcyk who has played only two Super Rugby games.
Korczyk is Auckland-born but educated at Brisbane State High School where he represented Queensland Schoolboys in 2012, and in the same year was a member of the Australian Schoolboys side that beat New Zealand Schoolboys 16-14 in Auckland.
Korczyk’s bench days are either limited, or over.
And with James O’Connor getting back to his best, it’s up to the experienced likes of skipper James Slipper, Liam Gill, Rob Simmons, Will Genia, Lachie Turner, and Karmichael Hunt to keep the momentum moving.
It’s also vital in this World Cup year that the Reds are firing.
In the meantime, thanks Lady Luck for dropping in.