Sometimes Lady Luck can strike, and in one hit dramatically change a sporting campaign – Reds coach Richard Graham and his troops have their fingers crossed.
The Reds flew into Bloemfontein, with six straight losses on their CV, to take on the Cheetahs who are always hard to beat at altitude.
And when the hosts led 10-0 in a hurry, the general reaction was “here we go again”.
But the Reds stiffened, and by the break were down 10-3.
Early in the second session, James O’Connor showed he’s lost nothing of that natural talent by making two stunning busts that led to tries by 20-year-old flanker Adam Korczyk, and centre Samu Kerevi, to hit the front.
The Cheetahs retaliated and with 24 minutes to go led 17-15, until Reds fly-half Nick Frisby put his hand up with a drop goal, and the Reds took back the lead 18-17, with seven minutes to go.
Surely nothing could go wrong now?
Oh yes it could. Former All Black Adam Thomson was pinged in the shadow of full-time for handling the ball in the ruck.
The Cheetahs deadly accurate goal-kicker Joe Pietersen stepped up with three from three for the day, having never looked like missing.
He was 38m out in front, and when his boot struck the back of the ball, there was exactly 30 seconds left on the clock.
Not again?
Pietersen had plenty of height, but at the last moment it slammed into the upright.
On the Reds’ run of luck it didn’t fall into Cheetahs hands for a try, but into the safe hands of O’Connor, where the ball was cleared from the ensuring ruck.
Reds 18-17, the drought broken, thanks to a huge slice of luck gift-wrapped by the good Lady.
Now the Reds are off the bottom of the Australian Conference table, next up will be the table-topping Hurricanes at the Reds’ Suncorp fortress.
May I suggest to Richard Graham and his senior players they grab the 80-minute tape of the Waratahs’ gutsy 29-24 win over the previously unbeaten ‘Canes in Wellington last weekend?
The Waratahs had no right to win on stats alone, denying the Hurricanes a record eighth win on the trot.
But win they did, and there’s no reason why the Reds can’t inflict a second successive defeat over the very talented Hurricanes, to get their campaign back on track.
One thing I’ve learned over the years is never underestimate a sporting team from Queensland – be it rugby, rugby league, or cricket.
Sure, the Reds are suffering from a spate of injuries, but out of adversity comes a gem like benchman Adam Korzcyk who has played only two Super Rugby games.
Korczyk is Auckland-born but educated at Brisbane State High School where he represented Queensland Schoolboys in 2012, and in the same year was a member of the Australian Schoolboys side that beat New Zealand Schoolboys 16-14 in Auckland.
Korczyk’s bench days are either limited, or over.
And with James O’Connor getting back to his best, it’s up to the experienced likes of skipper James Slipper, Liam Gill, Rob Simmons, Will Genia, Lachie Turner, and Karmichael Hunt to keep the momentum moving.
It’s also vital in this World Cup year that the Reds are firing.
In the meantime, thanks Lady Luck for dropping in.
Buk
Guest
PS David I just wanted to add something a bit off the track - you deserve a gold medal for your endurance - the disrespectful responses I have seen at times on some forums towards you descend almost into the ridiculous. I might not agree with some of your opinions, but as far as a wealth of sporting experience and background knowledge go, and also in terms of bringing sports into the professional era, contribution to sports journalism, etc. etc. etc. (& frankly a few lines post does not even begin to cover it) I am very much aware me posting a response to you is a bit like a chimpanzee posting to King Kong. That is just plain reality. Please bear that in mind in regard to any of my postings, and thanks for all your articles.
Trent Marshall
Guest
du Preez was on fire in 2010 and then had surgery on a shoulder in 2011. du Preez was the best scrumhalf in 2010 by a fair margin, that is why the Bulls won their third title so easily that year. Genia was good for what he did in 2011, which was sniping around the fringes. He used the law changes at the ruck, where it made contesting the ball near impossible, to his advantage. It essentially meant that he had quick ball all the time with the defense on the back foot because they were unable to slow the ball down. He dropped off in 2012, 2013 he was playing pretty much how he is now, which is just average to poor. One season player. Same as Quadey.
dru
Roar Rookie
TK, I re-watched. Humbled to say that even though he had quiet spots JOC was good. And Hunts kicks were fine, one or two not good enough but also some pearlers.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Was he too slow kicking the drop goal? Because that's the only thing that he can possibly be faulted with if it was charged down. The pass wasn't great, hence why it didn't hit him on the chest. Quade Cooper was Australia's best back in 2013. He only started 9 of 15 test matches I believe which was unfortunate, as he showed against NZ in Dunedin, Argentina in Argentina and SA in SA, then on the EOYT how influential he could be. 12 months later, Bernard Foley was the starting 10 against similar opposition. Where as Australia won 5 of the last 8 matches (SA loss, Arg win, NZ loss, Eng loss, Italy win, Ire win, Scot win, Wales win) with Cooper at the helm, with Foley they won 1 of the last 7 matchs (Sa loss, Arg loss, NZ loss, Wales win, France loss, Ire loss, Eng loss). That's what he has done since 4 years ago. In fact, who since Larkham has been a better 10 for Australia? I am no fan of Genia. I wouldn't even start him for the Reds but again your bias shows calling him a "one season player". He was the best halfback in the world from 2010 to Mid 2013. He has a horrible attitude in my opinion and that's why his decline was inevitable. Unlike Cooper who took his flaws from 2011 and addressed them, specifically improving his defense, game management and kicking game, Genia's apparent attitude problem has seen him fail to address any of his flaws and improve.
AJ
Guest
Luck? Did you see the Cheetahs tries?
Trent Marshall
Guest
LOL. Proven test performer. Hilarious stuff. The question is, what has he done since 4 years ago? hahaa... good grief. And no, Genia, much like Quadey, was a one season player. Both are terrible. Genia carries with him a huge chip on his shoulder, you can see his own teammates don't feel comfortable around him due to his arrogance. If Quade was such a test performer, he would have knocked the drop kick over to defeat the Lions a few weeks ago. Instead he failed, crumpled to the floor and sobbed into his wet newspaper tattoo.
ethan
Guest
Agree, I don't blame Frisby, he's doing what he can. I blame the coach for putting him there in the first place.
Dan
Guest
Correct
Dan
Guest
Agree Austrian rugby looks in great shape
Combesy
Guest
The funny thing is peter, you haven't substantiated your claim at all. Your deluded if you think your opinion of skelton's game and that he dominated collisions when Horwill didn't, is anything other than an opinion. Stop drowning people out peter. It's an opinion forum and the funny thing about opinions, is that everyone has one.
Selector
Guest
Not Coopers fault for a second. Graham should have covered 10 better, especially given Coops has had a bad run of injuries. Not sure how you got that out of my previous comment
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
You're a goose. He is a proven test performer. I'm sick of people like you who formed an opinion on him 4 years ago and despite the fact he has evolved and improved all of his weaknesses, you hold the same view. You probably think Genia is still the best 9 in the world too.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Once it comes down to a choice between those two, you're season is gone anyway.
kibui b
Guest
Piutau is too versatile, can play 11, 13, 14 and 15 very well, breaks the gainline every time and is a solid tackler. Barring injury he will be playing in RWC 15.
RobC
Roar Guru
Ah no. Those scrums arent not all about the props. There is a big difference in the scrums when Kev comes on vs Kotze or DMcD. In my terminology I would say: - Gill Samu were excellent - JOC, Kev, Korzyk were very good - Thomson Genia Frisby props were good Its cool, we can agree to disagree. But I believe I clearly listed his direct contributions to territory, points and the win.
Trent Marshall
Guest
QC is arguably as bad as Beale. Both terrible players. I will personally be devastated if Toulon buy Cooper, because he will ruin their whole game. Btw, you can also use that same logic with every single penalty in a rugby game. "What if the ref didn't penalize that offense?" ... but he did.
PeterK
Roar Guru
true the penalty may have easily been given the other way for holding on by the cheetahs.
PeterK
Roar Guru
even there I disagree. IMO the props via the great scrum contributed more. Gill and Kerevi were great contributors. JoC, all were. Not Horwill as much. Thats 5 already who I believe contributed more, how many can be considered relative great contributors without losing the meaning and impact of great. Just like the word star and legend are used far too loosley and lightly.
PeterK
Roar Guru
Jerry - Thats a real problem for the tahs , the lack of any genuine pace. Horne is reasonably quick for a centre not a wing. TN is slower, as is Betham and Folau. Beale could be the quickest and he is not that quick. That is a real problem for them when any quick player gets behind the defensive line, as highlanders, canes and others have shown.
Zero Gain
Guest
Yeah, but the Reds won and they are missing QC. That missed penalty may never have been given. What is your excuse in that case?