Queensland Reds coach Nick Stiles has labelled his team’s 26-19 Super Rugby loss to the Western Force as atrocious.
The Reds led 19-12 in the 49th minute after winger Eto Nabuli ran onto a perfectly-weighted grubber kick from Duncan Paia’aua to score his third try.
But the Force controlled play from that point on, scoring 14 unanswered points to secure the upset win.
Stiles didn’t mince his words after the match, labelling his team’s set-piece as sloppy and ruing a series of unforced errors.
The Reds threatened to snatch a draw at the death, only for the Force to hold on grimly in defence.
“It was an atrocious game of football,” Stiles said.
“We didn’t deserve to win it. And I’m glad we didn’t score a try at the end of the game to get a draw, because it wouldn’t have been a fair reflection on the performance.
“I felt we played too much football in our back half. Then mistakes, turns into pressure, turns into points.”
The Reds have the chance to bounce back when they host the Crusaders at Suncorp Stadium next Saturday.
Stiles said his team’s pride was hurting, and words weren’t about to fix it.
“It’s round two. We’re not going to sit in there and have a deep and meaningful and feel sorry for ourselves,” Stiles said.
“Our actions in that game speak loud enough.
“How we respond from that performance moving forward into the Crusaders next week is going to say a lot more about us I hope.”
Reds skipper James Slipper was forced off early in the second half after copping a heavy knock to his back.
Slipper was still struggling to move freely after the match, and his fitness will be monitored over the coming days.
One bright aspect to come out of Thursday’s loss was the performance of former NRL winger Nabuli, whose three-try performance was almost enough to lift the Reds over the line.
“He’s had a great pre-season for us and we felt he was going to have a breakout year,” Stiles said.
“So to see him get some opportunity in the open and run as hard as he did was really exciting and rewarding.
“Hopefully that drives him forward to be even better.”
Wallaby fan
Guest
There it is 2011!! Get yourself a calander
Wallaby fan
Guest
Wasting money on players is a proud tradition for the reds these days
Bfc
Guest
Must be the new method being taught to scrum halfs in the Wallas set up...Frisby is playing like Phipps right now. Jeez his passing is bad right now and his kicking no better. He has regressed....surely Stiles must be considering starting Tuttle?
davSA
Guest
I attended a breakfast talk by Jake White In P.E just after the Boks won the tri-nations. He said that for his first few games as coach he was derided by the press and public as the "Kakkest" (worst ) coach in the world . A few games later the same culprits were lauding him as the best coach in the world.
ScottD
Guest
Jake White is a great coach but I think Stiles deserves a full season. It was only 6 says ago that he was the great champion that masterminded the win over the Sharks Short memories I reckon.....
ScottD
Guest
Force played well but to be honest it could have gone either way, there was nothing between them The same could be said of Reds Sharks and Force Tahs last week
ScottD
Guest
No doubt that QC at his best and on attack is brilliant The problem is tgat he hasn't been at his best for some time and his defense has always been the weakest part of his game. That is why at international level the opponents ball carruers always target hom - and it works. I am not anti Quade, the guy can rip opponents apart but he isn't at his best and he was never Johnny Wilkinson (who was a great attacker, kicker and defender +++)
ScottD
Guest
And they were just dumb lucky
ScottD
Guest
Well he tackled offensively for a start
Bakkies
Guest
He would fishing for the first test job available
Bakkies
Guest
Pretty much the same thrower, jumper and thrower as the test side
Bakkies
Guest
It took Leinster a full season to get MOCBall out of their system. They're doing it with younger players that have fitted in well. Coaches sought outside advice from Lancaster and Henry. It is working for them
Ruckin Oaf
Guest
When Cooper is on form he's one of the best counterattacking players from the back in Super Rugby. It was one of the big reasons the Reds were so successful in 2011, they had dynamic kick returns either lead or co-ordinated by Cooper. Have a look at some of the highlights against the Blues from the 2011 semi final. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52-ZGrcrAbY If you have a guy who can do all that on kick returns you'd surely want him getting his hands on the pill as much as possible.
Ruckin Oaf
Guest
Glad to see you finally coming around to the obvious :)
Ruckin Oaf
Guest
The starting tight 5 were doing ok. The real problems started when the bench players came on.
davSA
Guest
Sure thing Harry , but more seriously the first point I made about White being independent and headstrong probably rules him out of coaching in SA again. If he cant get an international gig then I would imagine he may well look Southwards to Australia.
in brief
Guest
The reds got a number of favourable decisions in the first half, especially knocks ons which clearly went back. So it evened out, but the refereeing was poor.
Harry
Guest
Very good suggestion though Stiles deserves a season as head coach.
Harry
Guest
Yep well played the Force. And congratulations to their coaches. I very much ope they continue this against the OS teams
Tipene Roar
Roar Rookie
Harry!!