Queensland have registered their first win of the Super Rugby Trans-Tasman competition, beating an undermanned Waikato Chiefs 40-34 in Townsville.
The Reds became the first Australian team to beat Kiwi opposition this year in the 14th match between the rivals.
But the match wasn’t without controversy as Chiefs star flyhalf Damien McKenzie was sent off for a high shot on Tate McDermott in the first half.
McKenzie collected McDermott across the chin after he put Isaac Henry through a hole to score from 40 metres out.
Henry later bagged a double just before the end of the half and was joined on the scoresheet by Suliasi Vunivalu and Feao Fotuaika.
Isaac Henry celebrates after scoring a try. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)
The Reds got their first try through a penalty-try from a deliberate knockdown and referee Nic Berry sent Chase Tiatia to the bin for the offence, with the visitors facing an uphill struggle with the score 33-3 at half time.
But the Chiefs, in a brave bid not to come undone, scored five tries in the second half to scare the hosts.
Pita-Gus Sowakula was first to score before Tupou Vaa’ai and Reuben O’Neill made it just an 18-point deficit with little under 20 minutes to play.
When Bailyn Sullivan and Xavier Roe scored in the final 10 minutes, spectators were set for a barnstorming finish as the visitors tested the Reds defence.
Reds coach Brad Thorn stressed the importance of a solid defensive display this week and although conceding five tries, their last-ditch defence in the final minute was enough to see out the match.
Vunivalu and flyhalf James O’Connor were standouts for the home side, while Hunter Paisami was electric in the centres.
While the Reds finally ended their six-game slide against them, the defensive effort particularly in the second half will be an area of focus for Thorn.
Micko
Roar Rookie
They might have the "warrior soul", but they don't seem to have the same work ethic required of high level boxers etc who are astoundingly fit. The crash and bash nature of the rugby codes appeals to them, without needing the same level of massively intensive training and preparation required to produce a high level fighter.
Rugbynutter
Roar Rookie
No worries El Hacko
Paulo
Roar Rookie
Loosehead, mate, you gotta be careful making easily disprovable statements. Without any need too, either... "...and launched himself up in the air to strike Tate on the chin. Both of McKenzie’s feet were off the ground at point of contact." So, below is a link to the Roars own clip of this. 12 secs in, contact has been made, foot clearly still on the ground. Go on, have a look... 12secs in... https://www.theroar.com.au/rugby-union/video/michael-cheika-deplores-damian-mckenzie-red-card-as-fans-wanted-to-see-him-play-1129678/ Ok, now that that's out the way. It doesn't even matter. Like, at all. Both Chas and KBM both say the Red was the right call, they agree with you. Whether he is airborne or not is irrelevant. With regard to the judiciary, the minimum sanction is a 6 week stand down, maximum reduction is 50%. I know you're a Loosehead so I'll do the math for you, so don't hurt yourself. It means the shortest sanction he can get is 3 weeks. That's at least the rest of the tournament [whispers] 'psst... the tournament only has 2 weeks left, then the finals] And the Chiefs lost, so they wont be in the finals anyways, they will be on a nationwide 'I'm sorry' tour of NZ, apologising for bringing our country into rugby disrepute, tarnishing our collective glory by losing to an Australian side. Oh the shame... OR, the Judiciary will rule it didn't meet Red Card threshold, with his defence mounting the case that it was low force, as evidenced by no HIA assessment, or even trainer checking on Tate and conducting an on-field assessment, from what we can see in the footage. Note that I don't believe this will be the case, or should be the case. But boy, if it is, watch these forums light up like the 4th of July (in America)...
Aidoc
Guest
So referees are the answer to the Ditch Divide? Harsh call and so were many of the early penalties.
Nutter Nutter At least half your name is right
Paulo
Roar Rookie
“Reds easily beat up a kiwi team” For your sake I also hope they watched the second half.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
You’ve pointed out ‘why’ the Chiefs were undermanned, not that they weren’t. Was it their fault, the cards that is and assuming the cards were justified? Then yea, it was their fault.
Gepetto
Roar Rookie
Chiefs "undermanned"... What rubbish, if that is a reference to the two send offs. One of them was caught cheating and the other one was reckless or clumsy. If there's a reference to some of the Chiefs being unavailable that's crap too; the Reds did not have Petaia.
Double Agent
Guest
Pretty long comment from a bloke that admits he's not seen the match. I might have to take a week off work to wade through the commentary once he's actually put eyes on it!! :laughing:
jcmasher
Roar Rookie
Why would you not? I’m sure if your team lost a couple and then won you’d celebrate.
jcmasher
Roar Rookie
Well done Reds. Great to see the team play so well and take their chances.
jameswm
Roar Guru
McKenzie did bend at the hips. He stayed upright. That’s why he (rightly)!hot little sympathy from the ref.
ScottD
Roar Guru
I just watched it again. I hadn’t realised that there was direct contact from D’Macs shoulder to his head, I thought it was an accidental clash of heads only. My mistake, definitely a red card and not much mitigation as DMAC seemed to jump up in the tackle ( terrible technique – he just seemed to get it all wrong) obviously the referee judged it reckless which means no mitigation allowable. I expect him to get the downgraded 3 weeks on Monday. Mind you he might get an extra couple of weeks for his haircut ????
ScottD
Roar Guru
Try this one Soapy https://live.laws.api.worldrugby.org/images/lags/hcp-en.png
Paulo
Roar Rookie
If the Chiefs player only has eyes on the ball, he wouldn't know any one was standing crowding the catching the area. Like you say, normally no one is there so he wouldn't expect it, if anything he would be expecting to be met in the air by someone else jumping. Its a tough one, like I said, I disagree with the ruling, but I can also understand the way it was ruled as it was and the reasons behind it. That's all I expect, and all I would expect of anyone else who doesn't see things the same as the referee does. That is, try to understand the why or how the referee has ruled that way, and move on. If the last 12-18 months have taught us anything, there are bigger things in life to get worried about.
soapit
Roar Guru
i guess typically they arrive at about the same time though. this time the red was there early enough that the jumper would have been aware he was there before leaving the ground. puts some of the onus back on the chief i spose (i was surprised it wasnt at least a chiefs penalty tho)
soapit
Roar Guru
tbh im having a little trouble finding the official process again.
soapit
Roar Guru
no i know you werent making an excuse. but thats what theyd need to do to get away with an intentional knock down. i guess yes, the alternative is to not have a go. or go looking for a tackle instead. also, they never worry about trajectory, ultimately they all go down at the end.
Bourkos
Roar Rookie
The Waratahs out of nowhere are now the most entertaining side in oz. I’d say a lot of that comes down to the power of the centre partnership. As it stands I would love to see Perese at 13 for the wallabies. The bloke is an absolute machine!
Goodbye NRC
Roar Rookie
they didn't get me hot under the collar, but I'm sure they ruffled a few feathers of chief's supporters, plus a few canberra people due to the AU final, they feel they where robbed of the win in the last couple of minutes when berry binned 2 brumbies and now have it in for him as a ref. Probably the biggest call was the send off of McKenzie. letter of the law says to send of, in my opinion it was a bit harsh, yellow would have sufficed. My reasoning, the running lines both players were making, it put them on a collision course for the head clash.