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The Stormers’ brick wall defence has kept Queensland tryless in Cape Town and put the Reds’ Super Rugby finals hopes in doubt.
The injury-hit Stormers won a bruising contest 20-15 at Newlands where only a brilliant set-piece backline try to Springbok centre Jean de Villiers separated the two willing sides.
Fifth-placed Queensland (45) will now return from their two-match South African tour with only a sole bonus point to show for their visit, which has allowed the Brumbies (50) to take a stranglehold of top spot on the Australian conference.
The Reds had a chance to steal the intense match at the death when they relentlessly attacked the Stormers’ line but a desperate ruck steal by hooker Tian Liebernberg in the 85th minute ended the contest.
“It was incredibly frustrating,” said Reds skipper James Horwill. “We did a lot of good things but then turned the ball over and it cost us.”
What also cost them was an inability to secure possession from restarts, highlighted by the immediate loss of a hard-earned lead with 10 minutes left when Rob Simmons was penalised on his 22.
Queensland had the majority of possession but just couldn’t unlock the home side’s renowned defence, even with Quade Cooper at his scheming best in the first half.
Overlooked by Wallabies coach Robbie Deans for his initial 25-man squad for the Lions series, Cooper did what the national coach wanted from him in attack by taking the ball to the line and muscling up.
But one Deans’ prerequisite wasn’t answered as Reds coach Ewen McKenzie positioned the five-eighth at fullback in defence instead of the front-line.
After talking a 3-0 halftime lead, the Stormers grabbed hold of the match with a brilliant 70m try after the break when Elton Jantjies cross-kicked for Gio Aplon who instantly off-loaded to Joe Pietersen who then put skipper de Villiers away.
With Cooper kicking five penalty goals from all over, Queensland did a fine job to take the lead 15-14 with 10 minutes left.
But as soon as they did, the lost it, with Simmons’ continuation of their sloppy work at the restarts.
Although the first points weren’t scored until the final act of the first half, there was plenty of early attacking intent by both sides.
Queensland played with flair from all points but the Stormers’ defensive system and some clutch handling errors prevented the Reds from doing more.
Not a tackle was missed by either side in the opening 25 minutes and only four defenders were brushed off in the first half.
Flankers Jake Schatz and Liam Gill were tackling standouts for the Reds while Stormers lock Eben Etzebeth was highly influential at lineout time.
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