Rugby royalty was on display in Townville. Unfortunately, for the Queensland Reds, it wasn’t on the ground.
With Wallabies coach Eddie Jones in the stands and Michael Lynagh – the former Test captain and 1991 World Cup-winning playmaker – fresh off the plane to watch his son, Tom, make his debut, the famous duo watched on as the Hurricanes gave the Reds an early taste of what it could be like without Taniela Tupou.
With Tupou injured for the year and off to Melbourne next year, the Reds were smashed at the set-piece while their defence was woeful in the humidity of North Queensland as the Hurricanes won with a bonus point 47-13.
Reds captain Tate McDermott described it as a “reality check”, but the reality is the Reds won just one of 11 matches against New Zealand opposition over the past two years.
Harry Wilson was everywhere for the Reds. Photo: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images
Missing key forwards, particularly in the second-row, as well as big names James O’Connor, Jock Campbell and Suliasi Vunivalu, the Reds were always going to be stretched to the limit.
The Reds started well enough, accumulating points with early shots at goals as Lynagh struck the ball as cleanly as his ol’ man once did.
They even went into half-time only trailing 16-13, but the gaps were clear as day and ready to be exposed in the second half.
While it took half-an-hour for the Hurricanes to find some groove, as the visitors from Wellington regularly turned the ball over in the slippery conditions, the New Zealand side turned it on in the second half by running in five tries.
The visitors ascendency came after the Reds went down to 14 men twice in a row either side of half-time, as Ryan Smith’s desperate hit off the ball on Jordie Barrett came back to bite hard and, later, Seru Uru was sent to the sin bin for illegally collapsing an unstoppable maul.
The Reds gave away 15 penalties while the 31 missed tackles proved just as costly.
Tom Lynagh showed promise in his debut for the Reds. Photo: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images
McDermott highlighted the area of concern in his post-match interview, describing himself as a “broken record” when pointing out their ill-discipline.
Fraser McReight was the Reds’ best, with the openside flanker one of the few players for the home side to impress. His back-row partner Harry Wilson was everywhere, too.
Jordan Petaia was another who shone, with Test utility back showing promise at fullback, while McDermott had a tough night with his boot letting him down at times.
Lynagh showed promise with his core skills strong, including his impeccable kick, but the young No.10 needs to flatten up and take the line on more while his defence will be a constant work-on against the bigger physical bodies from across the ditch.
“He’s got the core elements of a good No.10,” former Queensland captain James Horwill told Stan Sport.
“He comes across as a good English No.10; he kicks really well, picks his moments.
“He’s going to get better, he’s going to build into his frame. He’s obviously a bit small at the moment. They were defending him either at fullback or the left-wing, probably to (keep) him away from guys like [Julian] Savea and Jordie Barrett coming down his channel. Once he does grow into his body a little bit, he is only 19, the sky’s the limit for him.”
The Reds jumped out to an early 6-0 lead after Lynagh landed two early penalties, but Barrett returned serve with two penalties of his own to level up the score after 26 minutes.
Petaia barged his way over to score after Hunter Paisami nearly forced his way over after picking up the scraps from a clever cross-field kick from Lynagh under advantage.
But within a flash the Reds were on the backfoot and missed tackles from Lynagh and McDermott allowed Billy Proctor to score.
Smith’s yellow card after 34 minutes was the turning point of the match.
Barrett ensured the Hurricanes took the lead from the clumsy challenge, while the Reds copped a double dose of pain when a collapsed maul resulted in a penalty try and a yellow card to Uru.
The Reds had chances in the second half, but under fatigue their skills failed to stand up and the Hurricanes ran in another four tries to start their season in emphatic style.
The Ferret
Roar Rookie
Yep. Rennies true problem was picking players who suited his game plan. I always felt you pick the best players (sometimes combinations play a factor) and you build your game plan around the skills you have.
Chivas
Roar Rookie
Awrsome. I likewise will try to read your posts with the same degeee of enthusiasm and good grace for your great insights and wit. And good to know you think your insights and wisdom make this site a better place.. well I have to assume you do as you are clearly able to judge my opinions and posts accordingly. But hey its Double agent not double standards right? Antway each to their own. I Just an aside. I think the fact we can post freely is what makes the site work, but hey again thats just my opinion too and you cN ignore that or not as you see fit. Personally I don’t find this sort of to and fro as entertaining as you, so will leave tou with it :happy
Double Agent
Guest
Thanks Chivas for your entertaining posts. You've really made the Roar a better place. I look forward to reading more of your condescending and arrogant contributions. Very funny stuff!! :laughing: :laughing:
wig the mad kiwi
Guest
As many as possible peter
Coker
Roar Rookie
Lol, you seem to labouring under some miscomprehension that I'm an Aussie. I know very well who all of those players are, but it seems you might not... Roigard is an extremely promising player and should definitely ahead of Perenara, especially if there's any consideration being given to the future. Cameron was a 1-test AB by accident, having spent years at the Crusaders being unable to crack it. So no, very little between him and Morgan (actually Morgan's display on Saturday suggests he might actually be well ahead). Holland doesn't rate PUJ, so his absence made absolutely no difference to the team selected. And as for Love vs Moorby, I tend to place more reliance on the evidence of my experienced eyes than simply rely on a Foster selectorial decision...
Charlie Turner
Guest
We called it sookface in the olden days. Berrick Barnes had it bad.
jeznez
Roar Guru
George, your prior comments about yourself (as Realist) strongly suggest you aren’t black. “Any sort of casual racism should be no part of this forum. I’ve been guilty of it before but now refuse to be part of the problem.” https://www.theroar.com.au/2020/06/22/beale-exits-waratahs/ I’ve got no idea what game you are playing with your posts above so am going to go back to ignoring you. My prior comment stands, I hope you are ok.
ProudToBeBlack
Guest
Hijacking my username and posting narcissistic comments. Very clever. Any other black folk you feel like messing with today Jez?
Chivas
Roar Rookie
Really.. Didn’t think it was so hard to read and comprehend. But apparently it is.
wig the mad kiwi
Guest
just as well you're not in charge around here old son
wig the mad kiwi
Guest
Where is this super freelancer hero blocking the pathways I've won probly same amount as you rolf, but I've lost nowhere even close to the amount you have. :laughing:
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Do your “ 5 other 1st5s” have a resume with as high a test success rate as Quade? Oz rugby sent him out to Coventry after half a decade of ‘fish and chip paper’ status only to ask him back to guide 5 wins on the trot. To be fair to you, Quade may be too rickety to return, but such an opinion is a long way from your churlish insult to a fine player, whose mistakes and punishments were made extremely public. I’d rather that you confined your insult to the cheap boo seats at Eden Park, but it’s a free country. How many test games have you won big guy?
Jimbo81
Roar Rookie
Chiefs 31 def Crusaders 10 NZ should definitely not select any Crusaders using this logic.
The Ferret
Roar Rookie
I’m always down for a Tahs bashing session
Short Arm
Roar Rookie
Glad I didn't see this one savant as it would not have done my blood pressure any good.
Double Agent
Guest
Somehow you've gone from 'halfback is one of the easier positions on the field' to 'I find it frustrating that so many Australian rugby fans accept such a low bar '. Bizarre. :shocked:
Jimbo81
Roar Rookie
Same as last season where the Reds were missing seven players but their end of season form was used to justify their shunning. Look where that got us: 38%
Jimbo81
Roar Rookie
No more McKeller and Rennie to artificially elevate the Brumbies to test level (where they only win 38% of tests). One bad game from the Reds. We move on.
savant
Roar Rookie
Agree Tate had a bad game. McReight was good but just had too much work to do. Agree Wilson good but not great. But that’s was a good debut for Lynagh. Can’t remember a better debut for a skinny 19 year old flyhalf in a long time. Spent the second half behind a back peddling beaten pack and nobody else would have done any better. His first 30 minutes were pretty damn good.
savant
Roar Rookie
It doesn’t matter. The reds don’t have the cattle in the tight 5 to compete at super rugby level with the best teams. That was obvious on Saturday night.