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Reds vs Blues highlights: Blues seal draw in overtime

19th March, 2016
Kick-off: 7:45pm (AEDT)
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Referee: Andrew Lees (AUS)
Betting: Reds $2.90, Blues $1.42
TV: Live, Fox Sports

Reds
1. Sef Fa'agase, 2. Andrew Ready, 3. Greg Holmes, 4. Caderyn Neville, 5. Rob Simmons (captain), 6. Hendrik Tui, 7. Waita Setu, 8. Jake Schatz, 9. Nick Frisby, 10. Jake McIntyre, 11. Eto Nabuli, 12. Anthony Fainga’a, 13. Samu Kerevi, 14. Chris Feauai-Sautia, 15. Karmichael Hunt
Subs
16. Matt Mafi, 17. Pettowa Paraka, 18. Sam Talakai, 19. Ben Matwijow, 20. Curtis Browning, 21. Scott Gale, 22. Sam Greene, 23. Ayumu Goromaru

Blues
1. Ofa Tu'ungafasi, 2. James Parsons, 3. Charlie Faumuina, 4. Patrick Tuipulotu, 5. Josh Bekhuis, 6. Jerome Kaino (captain), 7. Blake Gibson, 8. Steven Luatua, 9. Bryn Hall, 10. Ihaia West, 11. Tevita Li, 12. George Moala, 13. Male Sa'u, 14. Rieko Ioane, 15. Lolagi Visinia
Subs
16. Quentin MacDonald, 17. Nic Mayhew, 18. Sione Mafileo, 19. Hoani Matenga, 20. Kara Pryor, 21. Akira Ioane, 22. Billy Guyton, 23. Matt McGahan
Rob Simmons is a die-hard Queenslander. But this year, he won't be with the Reds. (AAP Image/Julian Smith)
Roar Guru
19th March, 2016
119
8584 Reads

Match result:

In a thrilling match, the Blues tied the game up at the death with a penalty kick after the buzzer.

REPORT: REDS DENIED AT THE DEATH

There were great signs for the Reds. The Blues have been very good this year and there are definitely improvements that can be taken out of the game.

The penalty count was in favour of the Reds (7-14), but the Reds really will rue that as an opportunity missed.

Will that crush their confidence going into next week? Well, that remains to be seen.

Good performance from both sides, but the Blues I’m sure will be upset with that performance.

The Reds were ahead by about 10 points at one stage with around 10 minutes left, so it’s a poor result for the Reds, who missed the chance to grab their first win of the season. They just were unable to close the match.

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Final score
Reds 25
Blues 25

Match preview:

Suncorp Stadium will play host to a clash between the struggling Reds and resurgent Blues, in a vital clash for both teams. Join The Roar from 7:45pm (AEDT) for live commentary and scores.

The Reds are in dire straits, having drastically changed their administrative and coaching set-up, and registering one point from their first three games.

Additionally, they are without Wallaby representatives Ben Daley (torn pectoral muscle), Kane Douglas and James Slipper.

Other than that, the Reds remained unchanged following their loss to the Rebels last weekend.

Reds co-coaches Nick Stiles and Matt O’Connor were pleased with the effort but acknowledged there’s still work to be done.

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“The two things we can address immediately are our discipline and how we start the game,” O’Connor said.

“We decided it was important to stick with the team, as combinations are important.”

In what is a big surprise, Rene Ranger has been completely left out of the Blues side by coach Tana Umaga. Instead, 19-year-old flyer Rieko Ioane will make his debut.

All Black Steven Luatua returns to his favoured number 8 jersey, as Patrick Tuipulotu moves back into the second row, forcing Akira Ioane back to the bench.

The Blues have endured a tough start to their 2016 campaign, with fixtures against the Crusaders, Highlanders and Hurricanes, winning one from three. However, the Reds have only triumphed in one out of their last nine against New Zealand opponents.

Prediction
The Blues will be too powerful across the board.

Blues by 14.

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