Queensland will head to South Africa with wind in their sails after a 24-12 Super Rugby defeat of the Stormers.
Both sides did everything but get on the scoreboard at Suncorp Stadium on Friday in the competition’s first scoreless opening stanza in six years.
But Stormers and Springboks captain Siya Kolisi’s sin-binning on halftime broke the shackles, with the Reds prevailing in a five-try second half.
Reds standout Samu Kerevi took 90 seconds to exploit the overlap with a lovely cut-out pass before he backed up to score the game’s first.
The Reds were through the line again thanks to speedy halfback Tate McDermott minutes later, with hooker Brandon Paenga-Amosa claiming the five-pointer for an eventual 14-0 lead.
Kolisi’s return coincided with the Stormers’ first try, Kobus Van Dyk powering over from close-range next to the upright as the game opened up.
McDermott duly sniffed out his own five-pointer from a quick tap and – notwithstanding a Damien De Allende try for the Stormers – Bryce Hegarty booted the Queenslanders out of reach with a penalty goal.
Coach Brad Thorn was proud of his side but was again left asking them to find the middle ground between expansive and safe rugby.
“Lots of positive rugby out there, lots of endeavour and there’s a part of me that loves that,” Thorn said.
“There’s a composure around that … often our biggest challenge is just us.”
The Reds now move to 3-4 ahead of a two-game trip to the Republic, although they will be without winger Filipo Daugunu (broken arm), a host of Australian under-20s representatives and most likely a rested Kerevi.
The Reds’ task was made easier against the Stormers by the absence of the injured Eben Etzebeth and fellow Springboks star Pieter-Steph du Toit, who flew home for the birth of his child.
It didn’t slow the visitors early though, who were unlucky not to draw first blood through Damian Willemse and Sergeal Petersen.
Stormers coach Robbie Fleck rued his side’s wastefulness.
“It’s pretty tough to swallow that and those first 10 minutes (with Kolisi sin-binned), the Reds were pretty good at executing that advantage,” Fleck said.
“We’re not really proud of that effort in the second half – too many errors, too many missed tackles.”
Jacko
Guest
RO didnt the Chiefs beat the Bulls? Also the jaguares! And didnt both Reds and Brumbies play in the same heat?
PJ Weightman
Roar Rookie
Re Higginbotham’s workrate: I rewatched the game to follow various players workrates. Higginbotham covers a lot of ground during the game and spends a lot of time in and over the ruck protecting the ball. Is often used as the decoy runner and is always covering in defence. When he is given the ball he makes good ground. His game has evolved a lot over the years and now looks fitter than ever.
Ben
Guest
Makes sense. Thorn is smart bringing back experience in Rugby. I see he has been very successful in netball and AFL.
rebel
Roar Guru
You do amuse yourself
numpty
Roar Rookie
It’s a tough one. Who would you play at 13 outside him that fits and is up to standard? TK is the usual but he and kerevi are too similar a player. On current form I’d have hunt at 12 and let them interchange based on set piece etc. hodge could fit but hasn’t had the time there and I like him at 15.
Rhys Bosley
Roar Pro
Brynley Abad is the conditioning coach, he was with the Reds for the 2011 season.
Gloria
Roar Rookie
Reading delusional comments is hilarious actually.
Rhys Bosley
Roar Pro
Just as well given how down you get about it when it happens.
Gloria
Roar Rookie
Yes, it’s a pretty rare event these days.
Rhys Bosley
Roar Pro
A Reds win has quality all of it's own Gloria.
Gloria
Roar Rookie
Enjoy the win Bosley. Just try to assess the quality of the game wiith some realism.
Rhys Bosley
Roar Pro
Cheerful as usual Gloria, you must be fun at parties.
Gloria
Roar Rookie
Yes, a ‘great effort’ is pretty accurate. As for ‘great rugby’, not really much of that, from either team. A horrible first half and then the Reds took advantage of playing a 14 man team which continued to give away multiple penalties to hand the Reds field position. Two of the worst teams with the Stormers also fatigued from a long tour and missing several key players.
Ruckin Oaf
Guest
Baby steps Jacko - the last few games against the Tahs have not been overly impressive. (although the next is at home). And the next game against the Brumbies won't be in the heat and humidity of Qld. Still if they come through the SA tour relatively unscathed there might be a couple more wins left in the season.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
The arguments for Powell and Gordon were always that they were better than Phipps. The argument for McDermott is that he is a really quality and skilled halfback. Great development.
Ruckin Oaf
Guest
To my mind McDermott has mainly impressed as a super sub so far this season. Nice to see he can do well as a starter too.
Dwards
Roar Rookie
Bending the line frequently with his ball running too.
Jacko
Guest
And the Tahs and Brumbies
Bobby
Roar Rookie
To me, Lykhan was outstanding. Not the flashy stuff of Tate and Samu, but workload and influence were huge. He just was engaged.
Ben
Guest
Who is there conditioning coach? He has been mentioned by Thorn in various press conferences. They have consistently finished games strongly.