Blockbusting centre Samu Kerevi’s two second-half tries gave the battling Queensland Reds a sniff of a rare Super Rugby victory over the Bulls at their Loftus Versfeld fortress.
But a missed tackle by fullback Karmichael Hunt quickly snuffed it out as the Bulls rolled away to a 41-22 victory on Sunday morning (AEST).
The Bulls ran in five tries to three and enjoyed 60 per cent of possession and more than 65 per cent of territory as they asserted their ascendancy while the Reds let themselves down with handling errors and discipline issues.
It took a wondrous 42-metre snapped field goal from Reds flanker Liam Gill just before halftime to keep the visitors in contact at 17-8 down at the break.
All looked lost when flanker Lappies Labuschagne capped off a sweeping Bulls move with a try to give the hosts a 27-8 lead with half an hour left to play.
But Kerevi then struck with two tries in six minutes.
First the 108kg outside centre took a pass out wide and beat four defenders on the way to the line then he scored again under the posts after a brilliant Anthony Fainga’a offload put him away on a long run to beat the fullback.
Jake McIntyre converted and the Reds were suddenly back within five points, trailing by just 27-22.
The fightback was short-lived.
Three minutes later, Hunt was beaten by Travis Ishmaiel down the touchline and the Bulls winger ran 40 metres to score in the corner.
Brummer converted to push the Bulls’ lead back out, and replacement scrumhalf Piet van Zyl scored a converted try in the 71st minute to seal the win.
Reds co-coach Nick Stiles lamented his team’s inability to stick to their pre-game plan as the game got away from them early on.
“I thought we tackled too high, and they got on the front foot,” said Stiles.
Earlier, the Reds were dealt a blow in the third minute, when No.8 Jake Schatz had a knee buckle badly under the weight of a tackle and was forced from the field.
“We gave away some soft penalties, which then allowed the Bulls to play the game deep in our half, and that’s the style of rugby the Bulls love,” Stiles said.
Stiles was heartened but not satisfied by his team’s second half comeback.
“I’ve been involved in a lot of sides that have come to Loftus, and you fall behind on the scoreboard by a couple of tries and things can get pretty ugly pretty quickly,” he said.
“So full credit to the guys that they didn’t stop trying, but that’s not good enough.”
The Reds face the Stormers in Cape Town next week.
Jonny Boy Jnr
Guest
At this stage of the season the below would me my Wallaby backs. The lack of depth is a little alarming and Debreczini is not at the level I thought he would get to by now 9. Stirzacker 10. Foley 11. Tomane 12. Kerevi 13. Kuridrani 14. Folau 15. Beale 21. Phipps 22. LLF 23. Morahan
kingplaymaker
Roar Guru
Chris Sautia. Hunt fullback, Kuridrani wing.
Boomeranga
Guest
Fair enough team there Karl but I would throw in Fardy at 6 and MCalman at 8 and I'd definitely have Holmes at tight head. With those flankers I think we can have a good enough lineout and scrum to make a good competitive side. Playing Gill won't likely hurt the scrum but the line out may suffer against a good English unit. The second lock spot will be a really interesting selection.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Whilst I agree a little, I can't help but feel that Anthony's recent availability after returning from injury has been a factor.
Karl Knuth
Roar Pro
Kind of agree Boomeranga, but I think we should pick people like Gill and Toomua for the England tests. My team would look like this 1. Slipper 2. Moore 3. Sio 4. Simmons 5. Arnold 6. Gill 7. Pocock 8. Hollaway 9. Frisby 10. LLF 11. Folau 12. Toomua 13. Kurindrani 14. Tomane 15. Beale 16. Hanson/Ready 17. Holmes 18. Talakai/ Faagase 19. Fardy 20. Hooper 21. Meehan/Stirzacker/Tuttle 22. Foley/Cooper/Gits 23. Hunt/Kerevi I like how we are shaping up for the June tests, while the Tahs, Reds and Rebels are losing they arent in too bad of shape. I think we can go well with the right combinations.
soapit
Guest
so can kuridrani
Boomeranga
Guest
Id like to try something like Lilo / Foley, Tomane, Kerevi, Kuridrani, Folau, Beale. I am in the camp of not picking players who are leaving as it feel like a wasted opportunity for us, but not sure any other wing is doing well enough to push out Tomane. I wouldn't mind another fullback type (DHP maybe) but really want some pace out there.
RubberLegs
Guest
We traditionally pick a gutsy concussion candidate for the # 12 jumper.
IKnowEverything
Guest
I'm no AF fan, but this year he has surprised me because he is running, making breaks and passing the ball. I didn't think I'd ever say this, but thus far he is earning his place in the team.
Boomeranga
Guest
Yeah. I wouldn't mind seeing that as well although it sounds like Kerevi is now finding his feet at 13.
Ruckin Oaf
Guest
Yeah but two is the traditional number of centres on a rugby team. So unless there's plans afoot to clone Kerevi he'd need a partner.
RubberLegs
Guest
He gets over the advantage line 90% of the time and unlike Hunt he retains possession in the tackle. In 2015 the reds backs leaked tries disgracefully. the Reds 2011 win was built on uncompromising defence. I don't see the benefit in bagging Tony if you cannot name a better replacement who is fit and waiting to play on the day. Who have you got in mind?
kingplaymaker
Roar Guru
The first was a basic pass. And twice in his whole career? He's an appalling attacking player who made one good attacking move in the past match but has effectively never before.
RubberLegs
Guest
He did it twice.
RubberLegs
Guest
Who needs Kuridrani; Kerevi can pass the football.
kingplaymaker
Roar Guru
Faingaa's offload was about the only creative act of his career. He should be replaced as soon as possible.
Ruckin Oaf
Guest
You might want to keep your expectations to a more realistic level.
RubberLegs
Guest
The principal benefit of sacking Richard Graham is the ascendency of Anthony Fainga’a who played a key role in at least two of the tries and his defensive efforts were the Reds' best. If Stiles wants low tackles, pick Saia F. What game plan ... play three or four forward rucks in your own quarter against a much bigger pack before you think about kicking for touch; get smashed all night and let the Bulls camp in your half. If they had a plan, Shatz would still be walking on two legs. Goromaru should start next week; He may know how to play for field position. Liam Gill should be Captain.
Ruckin Oaf
Guest
Anybody else wonder what a Kerevi + Kuridrani centre pairing would be like at test level ?
stainlesssteve
Guest
i thought they were lined up to swing the world by the tail? one missed tackle caused this? tut tut tut