Ten months on the sidelines are finally over for James Horwill – but still nothing could prepare the Queensland Reds for his white-knuckle bench stint at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night.
Horwill has plenty of practice watching the Reds from afar after spending 308 days overcoming hamstring and ankle problems.
However, the Wallabies skipper was still not quite ready for the heart-stopping finale to the Reds’ 23-18 Super Rugby win over South African heavyweights the Bulls in front of the 28,399-strong Brisbane faithful.
Horwill watched hopelessly from the bench after his 40-minute comeback cameo as the Bulls not only reeled in a 13-6 halftime deficit by the 49th minute but threatened to snatch a last-gasp victory.
The Bulls looked to have at least locked up the scores when Bjorn Basson crashed over after the siren – only for video replays to show Chris Feauai-Sautia’s tackle had forced the winger to put a stray foot into touch.
In the end, an error-riddled Queensland (4-2 record) somehow emerged victorious against the relentless South Africans (3-2).
“Up to a minute and 10 seconds to go in the game, I thought we were doing quite well but that’s the way it goes – makes for an exciting finish,” Reds director of coaching Ewen McKenzie said.
“But we did enough. The real disappointing part was giving away three stupid penalties just after halftime to let them back into the contest (and lead 15-13).”
Horwill admitted it was tough to watch the thrilling climax but still appreciated a seat after finally blowing off the cobwebs.
“I was blowing, to be honest,” Horwill laughed when asked if he had to be stopped from running back out on the field after his allotted 40 minutes.
Reds halfback Will Genia proved the difference in his 65-minute effort in his second game back from a knee injury, while halves partner Quade Cooper finally came out of his shell to help set up a first-half Jono Lance try before scoring his own.
However, two lifting tackles almost had as many tongues wagging.
The Reds held on to a 13-6 halftime lead despite Lance copping a dubious yellow card for a lifting tackle on Bulls lock Grant Hattingh.
But the Bulls were made to pay for winger Grenton Mapoe being sin-binned in the 52nd minute for his tackle on Reds prop James Slipper.
Next minute, Cooper combined beautifully with Genia to exploit their sudden one-man advantage on the left edge and crossed to give the Reds a 20-15 lead.
Neither coach would bite on the decisions.
“That’s the game,” Bulls coach Frans Ludeke said.
McKenzie equalled Robbie Deans’ record of 120 Super Rugby games in charge on Saturday night.
Ajax
Guest
Yes sorry, didnt want to post anything too long winded ;-)
Everyone gets the 4 points for a bye, I somply ignore those bye points, I find it a particular nuisance when I have to look at the log and see who has what points ignoring the byes. It is just a nonsense marketing thing. Having said that the Reds may be two points behind, but they have llayed one more game. And no I am not basing my assumption on JW. As I said, Reds are struggling, the MIGHT hit form at some points, but haven't seen it yet
Hightackle
Guest
Are you picking the Brumbies becuz of jake white? You are basing this on the easiest WC victory in history. They played Fiji in the qtrs and beat Eng for the 4th time that year in the finals. Jake White is a good coach but not magical.
Hightackle
Guest
You get 4 for a bye.
Hightackle
Guest
You get 4 for a bye. Thats why the Brumbies are on 23 after 4 wins and the Reds are on 17 for 4 wins.
What 4 are you talking about?
Hightackle
Guest
Yep the Reds have had to earn all of their points so far whereas the Brumbies got handed 4 of theirs, so I guess theyre only 2 points ahead really but with a game in hand.
HT, don't forget the Reds have already played 6 matches, thus far the only team to have completed 6 matches.
Johnno
Guest
The reds are good, but all in all I think the brumbies have a better draw and that will help them. But I think the brumes have to play the lions at a more invconvieninat time, the reds have to go to south africa too, it's always easier going to SA earlier in season rather than later. reds are good and maybe i am underestimating them. They have some good players no doubt about it, but brumbies are a good unit. Road trips to brisbane are never easy so like at canberra reds should get a 100% fortress win record. Reds will push hard, and are in it, early days along way to go, but brumbies/reds are a mile ahead of the Tahs right now in OZ conference, i don't care how many wallabies the tahs have. chiefs don't have the forwad power of last year. Sonny Taumolo a big loss. And winning lots of possession doesn't make you good it's a misleading stat, it's what you do with it that counts. Auckland Blues are always dangerous with the possession they get, have been most years in comp. Saders for mine Hightackle are the clear favourites. Stormers are good but won't win on the road like the saders can.
Hightackle
Guest
You could almost say the Reds are only 2 points behind becuz they have a bye in hand.
Hightackle
Guest
The Brumbies have played 5 games. They have played 1 & 1/2 games against teams playing well and lost 1 of them. The Tahs, Rebels and Reds were pretty bad in their match ups and the Sharks were rubbish for the first half. The Reds havnt looked great but they are 6 points behind the Brumbies and havnt hit their straps yet. They have A.Faingaa, Horwill and Genia back but still they are not match fit. Imo the Brumbies are not as good as people make out and the Reds are almost full strength for the first time in 2013. The Reds are the better team and form in the first few games does not dictate who will be in form for the other 16 and never has so Im not sure whete you are coming from there.
Johnno
Guest
Sharks are, but I just looked at the draw and the Bulls have a dream run, and 3 byes 2, so will be fully rested. And no more big tours, the furthest they have to travel is the final round at Cape Town, so they will be fine. If they win 100% at Pretoria they will be in contention. Sharks are in it too mate agreed, if they can get at least 1 win maybe 2 on Aust/NZ tour they will take some stopping. Going to be close , look fraud to it.
I think the Sharks is still in it mate, but I fully agree the Brumbies got decent return in SA.
Johnno
Guest
biltongbek I don't think in the bigger picture, the Brumbies will be not be phased or worried, by there loss to the stormers. The jobs done in South Africa, they got the pass mark 1-1 ,which is the stat all team aim for in South Africa. -Playing at Newlands all teams struggle there including the south african teams, . Only crusaders seem to be able to unsettle the stormers at fortress Newlands. -In the bigger picture the south african leg is out the way early in season which is good, and until maybe the grand final for the Brumbies, they won't have to go back there. So Jake White will gladly in the bigger picture take the 1-1 snatch and grab tour that the Bok leg is. And now back to Canberra jet lagged vs Bulls at home, still will back the brumes at home. But danger game . jet lag,. And Bulls have bye after next week, so will throw the kitchen sink at the Brumbies knowing they will be jet lagged, and knowing after next week they will have a week off, and won't have to back up and fly back to South Africa and back up straight away. Adavtnages in comp: Bulls, Stormers, Brumbies, Crusdaers, Chiefs, My 5 teams locked in for a semi spot. My wild card other 6th spot finals teams now. Cheetahs, Auckland Blues, QLD reds, maybe Hurricanes 1of those 5. As for the rest Tahs included , forget it.
Looking at the form thus far of the Australian teams the Brumbies are in much better form The Reds struggled past the Bulls, they lost to the Force coming back from SA, they haven't convinced at all. The Waratahs showed some guts this morning, but aleady too far behind. Force and Rebels, no.
No mate, not me, I am in favour of free kicks, choice to the team getting the free kick
Hightackle
Guest
And... Are you telling 1 win in SA and thats it, they will top the conference? I very much doubt THAT.
Shop
Guest
I didn't see the game so I can't comment on this incident, however I think it is time that scrum penalties stop being a chance at 3 points. Was it you Bil that suggested this? Kick for touch, yes, shot at goal no.
AdamS
Roar Guru
I remember him penalized for trying to do an NFL style leap over the ruck on the try line. I don't understand what he was actually penalized for...
Just used it for visualisation purposes. See the ball, be the ball, hit the tackler. :)