Queensland Reds attacked with promise, scoring four tries, but were beaten All Black and Blue at Eden Park, ultimately outclassed 53-26 by the Super Rugby Pacific competition leaders.
The Blues won’t be ecstatic with their defensive performance but the attack of internationals stars including Beauden Barrett, Finlay Christie, Akira Ioane and Caleb Clarke claimed a bonus point and was too hot for the Reds to handle, especially in a second half where the visitors were penalised 9-0.
The return of James O’Connor at No.10 did help the Reds going forward, but they fell short of the standard defensively against a team that thumped the Rebels 71-28 a week earlier and moved to a 11-1 record for the season. The Blues scored eight tries on the night – and 19 in the past two games.
The Reds were in touch at halftime down 22-14 but the Kiwis hit them with a stunning two-try blast in four minutes at the start of the half – and they missed 28 tackles to give themselves no chance against a tough foe.
“Those five – 10 minutes after half time we just haven’t fronted,” said Reds skipper Tate McDermott. “I don’t think the scoreboard is reflective of how hard we tried out there but the Blues were all class.
Tate McDermott of the Reds is tackled by Bryce Heem of the Blues. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)
“We were just slipping off tackles. I’ll never fault this side for effort – we’ve just got to make sure in those key moments we’re executing which we’re not doing at the moment.”
Reds coach Brad Thorn also lamented the Blues raging start to the second half.
“Good sides like the Blues, it’s fast, it happens, bang, two tries. It sits you on your back side and you have to work back into the game and try get some possession.”
It didn’t take long for the errors to begin for the Reds. Within two minutes of the start O’Connor, restored after three weeks sidelined by injury, drove a kick from a penalty into the Blues’ 22 but Albert Anae’s throw was poor from the lineout and the Blues were off the hook.
Anae struggled to settle and had to go off injured in the first half. Wallabies centre Hunter Paisami also lasted just under half an hour before he was replaced injured. The Blues had already lost All Blacks centre Rieko Ioane on 11 minutes but his replacement Bryce Heem made an instant impact, charging through for the hosts’ opening try with his first touch.
Soon after the Blues were in again with Seru Uru making the first of two critical errors that led to tries in the opening half.
While the Blues committed nine penalties to two in the first 40 minutes, it was the Reds’ continuing ill-discipline that allowed the hosts to take a stranglehold and Uru was exposed badly on both occasions.
The first, he lost the ball while the Reds were on attack in the Blues’ 22 and the hosts brutally exposed the Queenslanders.
Code hopper Roger Tuisava-Sheck made a phenomenal line break and although stopped, the Blues rolled on relentlessly. Lock James Tucker refused to yield to several cover tackles and by the time the tall timber fell it was too late, All Blacks winger Caleb Clarke diving over to complete a magical 82 metre move.
At 17-0 after 18 minutes the rout looked inevitable, but the Reds did find a reaction.
Suli Vunivalu had some moments when he chose to get involved and he arrived on the end of a neat pass from Tate McDermott to score near the posts.
But just as the Reds looked like they had gotten back into the contest, Uru made his second blunder.
This time he lost it in his own half and Heem stormed across for his second.
Again the Reds found a life line, with lock Ryan Smith emerging with a try after a rolling maul to make it an eight point game at the break.
A tricky second half kick off worked between Stephen Perofeta and Barrett confused the match commentators and perhaps the Reds were still in a state of discombobulation as the Blues ran in two tries in the next four minutes.
Clarke with a second was followed by Barrett’s first and then on 56 minutes Perofeta put the score out to 39-14 when he converted his own try.
The Reds were being cut apart by relentless Blues running and their defence was never comfortable. There were signs of hope at the other end – Jock Campbell well set up by James O’Connor for a third try, but it simply just provoked the Blues to fire up once again.
“For us winning is contagious,” said Blues star Dalton Papalii. “It comes down to the basics done well and you can’t get tired of that. hat’s what makes a championship team.”
McDermott was buoyed by the attacking precision of his side.
“That’s always been something we’ve been pretty proud of, our attack, we’ve just got to get the ball, that’s oour main issue,” he said.
“James O’Connor steered the ship really well tonight – he’s been missed and did an awesome job.”
Thorn, who will need to lift his side for a must win game against Moana Pasifika next week, was said it was a “tough one, all day.
“They’re a very good side, the Blues – good all over the park,” said Thorn. “It was just pressure – defensively we let ourselves down, and they had an allround game there.
“Halftime we we in a game of footy – two quick tries after half time and they get momentum – disappointing for us.”
TheRoarTruth
Roar Rookie
I dunno mate. I watched a bit of shute shield the last few weeks and i know it aint the only comp, but fark me it was rubbish.
bflp
Roar Rookie
Perhaps you should read the comment with both eyes open. I didn't say that Refs should be perfect. As I was one myself I know how difficult it is. I think the standard all year especially with Yellow and Red cards has been hopelessly inconsistent. As for the incident in question. The interpretation of the rule that is applied correctly is "Any act that could seriously hurt an opposing player". Taking the opposing players feet out in the air and failing to provide any support from the ensuing tumble is a red card every day of the week. As McDermott correctly questioned "it doesn't matter that I landed on my feet". You should also undergo some logic reasoning. To assist you with data analysis there is co-incidence, correlation and causation. The cause of their loss was their own ineptitude. Clearly stated by me. There is most likely a correlation between playing any team without your full complement of your best players and the result. Tough luck - every team has injuries. Clearly stated by others in the thread. As for a co-incidence that I commented on the officialdom. That is entirely due to the uninformed rubbish that so many spruik on this channel every week but this week more so. I didn't comment last week or the week before. That explodes your co-incidence theory at least as it applies to me. Amazing how much you can write in one deep breath. Thanks for the advice.
Clicka
Roar Rookie
When will the defence coach understand by “pinching in” never works. In the 56th minute the Blues #15 ran in a try untouched because our 12,13,and 14 all pinched in!!! The solution is simple. Shorten the defensive line, play a “one out defence”, which means 10 takes 12, 12 takes 13, 13 takes 15 ,and 14 takes the last attacker whoever it is. Backfill the gap to our 10 with 7, 8, 9, and 11 all pushing from the inside while 10,12,13, can confidently go about their job knowing the inside is covered . Wayne Bennett told me many years ago ,the last two defenders take the last two attackers ,no questions asked,and if they did not ,out came the hook!, Clicks
WEST
Roar Guru
The Blues have well and truly earned to be on the top of the pile of Super Rugby. Unfortunately the Reds looked 7th placed or perhaps lower. The Blues contrast in style and approach was well above the Reds capabilities, taking on the potent All Black trio of Akira Ioane, captain Dalton Papalii and Hoskins Sotutu in the rucks and breakdowns was a challenge in itself! Add Beauden Barrett at first five Stephen Perofeta in hot form at fullback, there’s striking weapons across the Blues team. The Rebels were pounded by 11 tries the week before, the Reds best advice ahead of this one.. just try to contain the Blues the best they can. They did that in parts of the game, but any slight mistake or lapses in judgment, the Blues immediately convert it to points. The Reds are a talented team, they have some of the best Australian players in their squad! They kept the score pretty close at half time.. But the Blues hit another gear scoring 5 tries in the second half. This is the best team in NZ currently, so don’t be to hard on yourselves. Discipline is a major issue with the Reds, conceding 9 penalties just in the second half will destroy any momentum. The ABs have to be looking at the Blues with glee. This should make up the bulk of the All Blacks, Finley Christie is streets ahead of TJ Perenara. The midfield is coming together nicely too, Roger Tuivasa Sheck going from strength to strength, it would be foolish not to consider him especially when combined with Reiko Ioane and Barrett. The Blues Bros should be used like the special forces of the All Blacks, combined together for special operations.. Or be called the A-Team… still wanted by the government they survive as soldiers of fortune. If you have a problem, if no one else can help, and if you can find them....maybe you can hire The A-Team." Either way, gives Foster plenty to think about. Stephen Perfoeta is another player who can’t be overlooked, capable of playing both 10 and 15 he’s the new utility back we’ve been searching for. The loose forward combination of Sotutu, Akira, Papalii is ruthless! The front row is also very potent, Loosehead prop Alex Hodgman, hooker Kurt Eklund, Ofa Tuungafasi workrates can’t be underestimated! This is the one of the real reasons why the Blues are becoming so lethal, with locks James Tucker & Tom Robinson playing off each other in the open field, reminds me of the younger versions of Whitelock & Brodie Retallick. The set piece is also high quality. Blues vs Brumbies will be very fascinating :thumbup:
James584
Roar Rookie
Quade is the key to understanding the Reds inability to reach a higher level. Discarded by Thorn, no ‘real’ ten has ever been bought in (except for a desperate stop gap in Thorn’s first year) or has been developed. JOC converted and even though I rate him as a 1st class player, not a 1st class 5/8.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Except they would have played kiwi teams when they had very few injuries
James584
Roar Rookie
Barrett is good. Really good.
Ruckin Oaf
Guest
The Reds won SR AU 2021 But then hit the same old hurdles when it came to playing Kiwi teams. If last year had followed the same format as this year the overall results would have been about the same.
HiKa
Roar Rookie
I could agree with all of that IF there was a very good coach ready to step in as head coach. The Reds have a pretty poor track record when it comes to recruiting coaches in the professional era so I don't have any confidence that they'd find themselves better off with Thorn doing some upskilling elsewhere.
Val
Guest
While there are plenty of comments about players, like JOC very little attention has been pointed recently at Brad Thorn. Coaches like players can reach their level of expertise but can go no further. I think that the step up in class to NZ sides and their coaches have found Thorn wanting. This is now the time when Thorn needs to widen and improve his coaching skills as he came to a head coaching role very early in his career. Remember being a top players does not mean that player becomes a top coach. Look at some other coaches like Rowan O'Gara who had two assistant jobs including coming out to the Crusaders before taking on a head coach role. Another is Stuart Lancaster who didn't handle the England head coaching role well and resigned as he had also very limited actual coaching experience. He took on an assistant role with Leinster and know is their head coach and has led them to the European Championship final. Maybe this is the time for Thorn and Qld rugby to acknowledge this with Thorn leaving the Reds to gain that experience he needs to be a really top head coach.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
We all are TF. I dont want to watch 1 man and a TMO entertain me for 80mins but thats what they think their job is. Man of the match these days just gets a "supporting role" trophy.
Short Arm
Roar Rookie
Agree Jacko, you could tell from Tate's words post game that he appreciated having JOC back.
JamesD
Guest
Mate, I recommend a deep breath and watch the game with both eyes open. Refs aren't perfect and there are so many calls in a game that can go either I just find it a little coincidental that Reds fans have found the refs poor only in the losing part of their season... I agree that the tackle in the air should have been a reversed penalty. But I'd be amazed if anyone was red carded in a situation where the opposition players feet hit the ground first, again, deep breath.
Rhys
Roar Rookie
Yeah 2018 sounds right actually. Both very different sides to the ones now
Emery Ambrose
Roar Rookie
Gutted for the Reds, liked where they were going the last couple years. Barrett starting to look composed and more comfortable at 10, better game control too.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Dan Carter......
KingofKings
Guest
Dan McKeller :happy:
HiKa
Roar Rookie
Might have been 2018 and it was against a very different Blues team - plenty of the same players still running around but a very different team.
Toulouse Lautrec
Roar Rookie
Geez there were quite we a few guys out there that barely earned their pay packet. Foteuaka is just lazy. Zander is wildly inaccurate and soft in contact. Hooker played like he is, village 2nd grade subbie. Smith and Blythe were just embarrassing, couldn’t tackle a wet cushion . Vest is not SR level but tried hard. ASY made his tackles but was soft in contact and kept getting owned in the breakdown. Worst Game I’ve seen Eru play, trying to play him as a crash ball runner is ridiculous, he’s a rangy forward who should be out near the edges. Tate played hard but the frustration has overwhelmed him. JOC played a composed game, but was let down by a mediocre forward pack. Flook is ho hum, decent enough, but hardly a game breaker. Jordy looks like he can do something amazing, and probably would in a well conditioned backline, put him a kiwi team and he’d be a star. Jock is flook lite, again decent enough, but not quite good enough and a poor defender. Vuli is great on attack but an absolute liabilty on defence
Double Agent
Guest
Dan the Man??