Queensland produced their best Super Rugby display of a nightmare season to celebrate Will Genia’s 100th Reds match with a thrilling 38-31 upset of the Highlanders on Friday night.
Genia was superb in a man-of-the-match display at Suncorp Stadium as the Reds ended their worst losing streak since 2007 with a Jake Schatz try after the fulltime hooter.
The Reds went 50m in almost two minutes of “red time” with countless rumbling phases before No.8 Schatz barged over for his second try of a pulsating encounter.
It was not only a win cheered on by 24,490 Brisbane fans but by a host of rival Australian and Kiwi teams as the result put a significant dent in the sixth-placed Highlanders’ play-off hopes.
Queensland appeared to have the match parcelled up at 28-7 when they bagged a four-try bonus point in the 48th minute with Schatz scoring his first five-pointer from a pushover scrum.
They were also leading 31-17 with five minutes left before Ben Lucas, filling in for the injured Quade Cooper, gave Patrick Osborne an 80m intercept try to close the gap to seven.
It appeared the Reds’ rotten luck in their string of six straight losses had continued when reserve halfback Fumiaki Tanaka dived over with a minute left.
But the final result was thoroughly deserving for Queensland – who dominated the set pieces – and Genia especially.
Under fire this season for shelving his running game, the 55-Test halfback was at his roaming best from the outset to the delight of the home crowd.
Not only was Genia probing but his kicking was a feature of Queensland’s superb first half.
It was his right boot which created a 21-0 halftime lead with kicks that resulted in tries to wingers Rod Davies and Dom Shipperley.
The Highlanders showed their intent early with a high-octane attacking game but the Reds’ scrambling defence and their superior work at the breakdown got them out of jail.
Queensland’s lineout also saved them under pressure in their own half with Wallabies lock Rob Simmons standing tall a week out from the opening Test against France.
With Genia and Lucas combining well, the Reds also showed enterprise in attack in a pulsating first half.
Three times fullback Mike Harris was put into holes out wide. On the third he set up position for a patient attack on the line that flanker Curtis Browning finally finished by ploughing over under the posts.
Harris’ radar boot was key for the Reds as he kicked five from five while the Highlanders were left to rue a controversial TMO decision disallowing a Ben Smith try.
Reilly
Roar Rookie
Just like that tah v red game in 2012
Ruckin' Oaf
Guest
Yeah push over try's are a normal part of the plan as is waiting for the opposition winger to drop the ball cold near the try line. The kind of thing every team rehearses at training right ?
PeterK
Guest
my post was tongue in cheek, not serious any part of it
wazza perth nz ex pat
Guest
Computer Hiccup - Should Read "Zero Brain" (got that part right!) good to see the Force WIN a lot more games this year than the reds - and without the assistance of the ref...
wazza perth nz ex pat
Guest
Zero Brain - good to see the Force able to more a lot more games this year than the reds - and without the assistance of the Ref....
Johnny Boy Jnr
Guest
My biggest criticism of Horwill is that as a big man he never seems to get over the gain line like he used to 2-3 years ago. He's lost a lot of power which is probably due to a couple of season ending injuries sustained over the past few years
El Gamba
Roar Guru
The poor reds.
Zero Gain
Guest
Geez, I feel sorry for Perth...
Zero Gain
Guest
Taxi...
Zero Gain
Guest
Next...
Fin
Guest
Yep Genia and Simmons might have played themselves into a starting spot next week. Horwill probably went the other way. Harris was good and Lucas likewise.
Jiggles
Roar Guru
He has played 10 before but he gets injured at the wrong time.
Gavin Gavin
Roar Rookie
Yes i agree that Harris had his best game in a long time. Maybe his contract negotiations were taking a toll? I recall he dropped the ball with the line open in front of him a couple of times earlier in the year, his handling had (prior to this game) been poor and he had absolutely no thrust when he entered the line. But last night, his decision making and impact, particularly in the first half, were very good. His goal kicking was excellent as usual. i hadn't considered him much of a loss when it was announced that he was off to the Rebels, however he was good for the Reds last night. Simmons was great in the lineout, and strong around the field, and whilst Horwill dropped a bit of ball, he was powerful around the field. The whole pack seemed to have found another gear. I haven't watched the Highlanders much this year, but was surprised that the Reds dominated their set piece so convincingly. Lucas played well, and it was good to see him get the chance to show what he was capable of in the 10 jersey. I imagine however that had Cooper thrown the intercept at the end of the game, that we'd have heard a lot more about it.... And the young centre that came on (Kerevi) looked like someone that could provide something that the Reds have been missing in the backline for a while. He's a big solid young fellow, and looked to have a bit of pace. It would be nice to see a bit more of him. I hope the Reds can retain some of the young guys in the squad. There is some exciting talent there.
Don
Roar Rookie
PeterK, I am as loyal a QLD fan as anyone but Gill is a victim of his own injuries and some sensational season long form from Matt Hodgson and of course Michael Hooper. If he had played 2 more games before selections he would have been a sure bet. But the squad was picked while he was still benched so you couldn't put him in hoping he is OK and leave a form player out. Gill may get a chance come the Rugby Championships - there will be injuries. I think we got the right players in the squad based on their form for the Reds. I also think the Tahs got some extra players in based on their games leading up to selections which probably keeps a Red or two out.
wazza perth nz ex pat
Guest
Because with Quadey there no-one knows what is going to happen next - with a normal 1st 5 there is control and a game plan, everyone knows about.
wazza perth nz ex pat
Guest
The Ref helped them of course !!
wazza perth nz ex pat
Guest
Yea - poor and obviously bi-assed reffing went against the 'Landers in this one... where do they get these incompetents....
30 mm Tags
Guest
Liam Gill and Beau Robinson were both sensational, sharing the open side role. The Reds forwards played like a freight train in the last 3 minutes to get that try. Other than the All Blacks at their best , I doubt if I have ever seen better sustained display of skill and united commitment from a forward pack. The power of the likes of relative unknowns such as Albert Annae playing a wonderful last 20 minutes along with bench second rower McDunning was proof the Reds have depth and have made some recent poor decisions in selection . Getting Dom Shipperly, arguably equally the best winger in Australia back made a huge difference. He is bigger than Cummins and plays a far more intelligent and skilful game. Somehow the media management has a weighting above skill and finishing ability. Why is it that losing such a talent as Quade seemed to generate a lift in performance by players who only a fortnight ago looked ordinary?
jeznez
Roar Guru
Ha ha, sorry for not blindly promoting a guy from our team.
30 mm Tags
Guest
Agreed, Lucas was sensational. For his first Reds game at 10 , he was marvellous. His loose pass that gave away a try was a worry but he is not the only 10 who has done that. His tackling and combination with Genia was remarkable since he has played anywhere but 10 with the Reds. Lucas is possibly the most under rated player amongst the Australian teams. He is also an excellent goal kicker. I am at a loss to understand how a team can turn around their form so dramatically.