Match Result
A gutsy win for the Lions tonight, and they finish their season tour with three wins from four games.
They came into the game with a solid plan and they executed their defence to perfection frustrating the Reds throughout the game.
Tecklenburg in particular was everywhere for the Lions causing turnovers and scoring a crucial try following an error from the Reds.
Samu Kerevi showed good signs and Quade Cooper can only improve following this game, he had the chance to win the match late but had his field goal attempt charged down.
The Lions will head back to South Africa full of confidence, while the Reds have only the Blues below them on the ladder and the worst for and against by a considerable margin.
In the end it’s the Lions prevailing 18 to 17.
Match Preview
The rejuvenated Reds face the Lions, who are looking for back-to-back victories against the Queensland franchise. Join us for live commentary and scores from 8:00pm (AEDT).
Last year the Lions defeated the Reds on their home turf to claim a famous victory and they will head into this game high on confidence after defeating the Rebels last week.
Their defence won them that game, with their captain Warren Whiteley a Goliath.
The Lions also have a good record in Queensland, winning two of their last three at Suncorp since 2007.
The Reds get some key personnel back for this game coming off the bye. Quade Cooper will slot into fly half, James O’Connor will play on the wing and powerful runner Samu Kerevi will play at outside centre. James Horwill also returns however Rob Simmons is still out injured.
One key to this game will be if the Reds can get on the board early, as they are yet to score a try in the opening quarter of a game this season.
Furthermore they average just 7.8 points a game, which is a league worst. You would think though with a lot of their attacking weapons back they should be able to put points on the board.
This game could become a slugfest though, with the Lions averaging just 13 points per game in 2015, the second least in the comp.
Prediction
Three wins on an Australian and New Zealand tour would be an amazing achievement for the Lions but I just can’t see the Reds giving this one up. There is a ton of pressure on them and they desperately need a win. I think they will get it.
Reds by 5.
Join The Roar for live scores and commentary of the Reds vs Lions match from 8:00pm (AEDT). If you are following the action live, be sure to share your thoughts on the match in the comments below.
Suzy Poison
Guest
Zero game, you nailed it. Even though it was a gutsy win for Lions, they are not that good. Maybe not as bad as we all thought, but still not that good either. Reds were playing at home had 10 players with international experience, probably adding up to 200 caps. The Lions have 2, Elton Jantjies, and Warren Whitey, who have each played 2 games for the Boks. That was a victory of pure coaching, the Lions team is a team of nobodies, and the Reds a team of under performing stars. Richard Graham to be honest is out of his depth at this level.
In Brief
Guest
Quick comment on the 'not releasing' law. There was a comical moment when James O'Connor had both his hands in the air, and there were 4 Lions player's hands on the ball. As they didn't win the ball cleanly (maybe the two Lions players were competing against each other!) O'Connor was penalised for 'holding on'. Just shows how ridiculous that law has become.
harry
Guest
Never a truer word spoken is there a level below wooden spoon maybe ??
StMike
Guest
Oh - you mean Under 7's playing Sevens. Couldn't agree more
Mike
Guest
Ummm.... never mind.
Zero Gain
Guest
Yes, it is the wrong coach that did it, because he by-passed his most senior and experienced players and named others in the leadership group. What would that do to your attitude?
Reality
Guest
I enjoyed the game, and I can't say that about the Reds in any other game this season. I hate to say this but RG really needs to go, the back line finally looked promising with QC back, but the forwards??? RG hasn't filled in the direct hard hitting forward that Higginbotham/Samo left. We desperately need that platform again. As always good forwards are required to make the backs look good.
RobC
Roar Guru
Thanks Brent. Just watched replay. Congrats Lions, attack variety in H1 and decent D in H2 did the job. Front row and backrow excellent l I thought Jaco K would open things up H2, but Reds hit the straps by then. Reds form is what's expected in round 1. omg, there's always some LO fubar between Kev and Fingers. Cost the match. Or was it the missed sitter by QC. Excellent form QC. Starting deep and attacking the line with options around him. Samu K, JOC, CFS benefitting. Genia with a bit of space also good. A tournament winning set of backs. The pack no, not good enough even to reach finals. Reds Leadership reminds me of WB 2014 leadership. Lions leader group conversely growing from strength2. Lions scrums undulating like a nasty golf course. I think they miss the other Franco in set piece. Reds rucking poor in H1, but adjusted after oranges. Too bad they lacked constitution in the end, whilst the Lions did. Reds next week vs Rebs 5 backrowers. I hope Styles and RG get their pack in gear. Or start packing.
redbull
Guest
Rhino, you have to admit that the game would not be a good advertisement for Super Rugby. It was pretty brutal to watch in some parts. The table positions of both teams would be a fairly accurate reflection of their skill level. Curiously, it was the Lions game last year where the troubles in the Reds camp were exposed, a year later and it may be the same game where change gets implemented
Damo
Guest
Maybe I'm slow on the uptake but something dawned on me after last nights game. Leading up to and through the Reds S15 (14?) win James Horwill and Will Genia were head up, chest out, almost arrogant leaders by example. Fearless warriors. And team mates followed and profited from that leadership.OK they are both going overseas and both are a couple of years older, but neither of those things should change their basic personalities. Where did that leadership (and I don't mean captaincy) attitude go? Both are putting effort in but it is robotic and they just don't seem to want to own the game. Is this what having the wrong coach can do to a team? Loads of talent but the spirit has been stripped out. It's what we criticised the Waratahs for years about.
pjm
Roar Rookie
Even the centre's went into the ruck so there wasn't even the possibility of attacking.
Red Block
Guest
But again this is the result of poor coaching, the Reds forwards should have picked and driven until they got the Lions on the back foot and then given to Quade for the drop attempt under way less pressure. This is really stuff that Under 12s learn. I agree with Rod Kafer's comments during the game last night, 'the Reds look like they don't know their roles.'
Zero Gain
Guest
Yeah, OK, but we are Reds supporters so we are focusing on the a Reds problems. You can praise the Lions all you like. To be perfectly honest, I wasn't that impressed with them and really do believe that the Reds were very poor, especially in the first half where they couldn't hold the ball, didn't appear to have a game plan, slipped off tackles, were painfully slow to the ruck and generally looked badly coached and out of form, especially in the forwards. By contrast, the The Lions looked like a well coached team who had a game plan and stuck to it. Their execution was sometimes poor, other times better and in the end they just managed to win against a very poorly performing Reds. But, congratulations to them, they got the points, again, in an away match.
Zero Gain
Guest
Yes, I agree that Quade looked good, like a polished gem in a bag of stones. But that won't help a team coached by a perpetual loser.
Justthetip
Roar Pro
I won't defend the others and I absolutely can't see how horwill gets picked for the reds but Quade isn't in the 'embarrassment' basket. If you think Foley is a better fly half than Cooper I'll be sure to keep my eyes peeled for more words of wisdom you provide.
ethan
Guest
Nice summary.
ethan
Guest
I don't feel anyone is taking away from the Lions. It's just that we Reds supporters are fed up with the coaching, which has seen our side underperform for the last year and a half now. The responses were the same when we lost to the Waratahs and Brumbies at home this year. It's not about the opposition, it's about how poorly we're playing.
Charging Rhino
Roar Guru
Okes stop moaning or having this expectation where you feel superior to the Lions and that you should beat them. The Lions put 50 points on the Sharks in the Currie Cup semi-final late last year, then narrowly lost out to a good WP (Stormers) team in the final. They are a good side. The Reds finally have their best players back and should start to piece things together from here. There are too many class players in the Reds lineup for them to not win games. However, the coaching leaves much to be desired...... But the Lions fully deserved the win. Credit to them. And 3 from 4 on tour is Flippen brilliant. Well done Lions!
Terry Kidd
Guest
Reds line out is an absolute shambles. So was the scrum until Holmes came on at TH .... on that display Holmes can expect a RWC berth as the back up THP. Horwill appears to be only mildly interested. He is tackling from the side and falling off, not putting much shoulder into it. The Reds were horrible in the first 40 with Genia hovering over the ball and giving slow service. He was much quicker in the second 40 and the Reds looked better. This team is playing without belief and confidence. Do they have any set piece moves? Do they have any structure?
paleocortex
Guest
@ MS. rubbish comment