It wasn’t pretty, but on a hot day in Brisbane, it was the Reds that managed to eke out an important 27-24 win over Fiji Drua on Sunday afternoon.
After opening up a 24-3 lead midway through the second half, Brad Thorn’s side switched off in the sapping heat and allowed the Drua to storm back into the match.
Two converted tries to the visitors cut the margin to a converted try, before a penalty from Tom Lynagh pushed the margin out to 10 points.
But Iosefo Masi’s try out wide and Frank Lomani’s conversion cut the margin to three points with eight minutes to go, leaving the Reds praying for full-time.
Eventually it came, as Filipo Daugunu got on the ball to win possession for the home side and repel the Drua once and for all.
“Relieved, frustrated,” captain Liam Wright described it. “Fiji were great today, as we thought they would be.
“I thought we had a really good game plan, which we could see the platform working that would put them to the sword a bit, we were up 24-3, as a result of that and I just thought our second half was a bit of collapse.
“Obviously huge credit to Fiji, they played the style of footy that they do in the environment that suits them and they get rewards for that.
“I think our learnings from that is just to be a smarter team. We can’t be the team that talks about shooting ourselves in the foot the whole time, so that was frustrating.”
Harry Wilson was the Reds’ best during their narrow win over Fiji Drua. Photo: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images
The Reds’ second half fade out was reminiscent of their collapse against the Hurricanes in Townsville to start the year.
The home side had ample pressure in the first 60 minutes, but only had four tries to show for it.
In fact, Wright’s side left half-a-dozen opportunities out there as they failed to take advantage of a set-piece superiority through inaccuracies in the rolling maul transition and at the lineout.
The home side, too, were regularly pinged at the breakdown by a whistle-happy Reuben Keane, where an outrageous 33 penalties were blown.
Asked whether the mistakes was a mental issue for the home side, Wright said their sloppy finish came down to not executing.
“I hope not, I don’t think so. I just think it comes from simple, pressure-relieving moments,” he said.
“We miss a lineout on half-time, a lot of penalties for not rolling away for guys getting up in the channel there and Frank Lomani played really smart by throwing it into them.”
Josh Flook, who scored a simple double that should have been a fantastic first-half hat-trick had he not attempted James O’Connor’s chip kick with one hand, was equally blunt.
“Definitely a little bit of disappointment there,” he said.
“We had a good start, we put on some good tries there, but once again, same as last year, we let them back into the game. Silly penalties, let them play their style of footy and we made our own mistakes.
“I think it’s an attitude thing. We’re working hard during the week. It’s just when it comes to that game time, everyone’s getting a little bit too excited and we’ve just got to play smarter.”
Josh Flook scored a first-half double against the Drua on a hot Sunday afternoon in Brisbane. Photo: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images
Fijian forward Meli Derenalagi lamented his side’s slow start.
“Mostly we lack focus in the first-half,” he said. “That’s what cost us in the first-half.
“Coming out in the second half, we were told to give our all. We knew the Queensland Reds would come out hard.
“We planned to play quick ball so we could move them around. But if we had done that from the first-half it would be a different result.”
Test back-rower Harry Wilson was the Reds’ best.
The off-contrast No.8 was the one ball-runner who powered over the gain line and didn’t spill the ball, while Ryan Smith put in a solid shift in the tight-five.
But even his frustrations were showing, as he later told Stan Sport that he almost came to “punches” with teammate – and good friend Fraser McReight – after a mix-up from a stolen lineout, which resulted in an offside after Wilson picked up the ball from an offside position after passing the ball into his star back-rower’s head.
Elsewhere, O’Connor had his moments and Flook was his regular consistent-self.
But there were stars on a dreadfully messy afternoon, which brought out the best in Fijian halfback Lomani.
After Lomani knocked over an early penalty, Flook’s double gave the Reds an ugly 12-3 lead at half-time, before it looked like the home side had finally found their groove in the second period after simple tries to Wilson and Vunivalu.
But Seru Uru’s yellow card, which came after three penalties close to the line, saw the forward sent to the sin bin and the Drua responded by two tries in 11 minutes.
Lynagh’s penalty calmed down proceedings, before Masi set up a thrilling finish.
Kalaveti Ravouvou attempts to break through James O’Connor’s tackle in Brisbane. Photo: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images
But for all of the Drua’s endeavour, the home side snuck home to seal a relieving win.
The three-point win saw the Reds join the Crusaders on 10 points in sixth position, with an important match against the Rebels in Melbourne next Saturday to come.
Emuarse
Roar Rookie
Lynagh is a talented flyhalf with the natural instincts that will see him improve. However he really does need to work on his defence. The number of times he has been brushed aside when tackling in his 3 games is quite embarrassing. A number of tries have been scored that wouldn't have been if he'd tackled properly. Where's the defense coach?
Jimbo81
Roar Rookie
'Relieved, frustrated': Young gun's double helps Brumbies scrape home against Reds in penalty-a-thon.
Dean
Roar Rookie
Wilkin's form has been excellent so far. I do like how calm he stays and he is consistent throughout the game. I'm not too sure if he is up there with McReight and Hooper. I do wonder how he would go in concert with Liam Wright at 6 though? Such a shame that Hardwick changed over to Namibia, he has been the form Australian Super number 8 and only just usurped by Savea for overall.
Dean
Roar Rookie
Definitely a game that needed more "choke" to start properly. Ran well in spurts, but too many coughs and splutters by the Reds and the Referee. There were some good moments and the Drua fightback was excellent. Well done to my Reds to hang on for a messy win. Our tight 5 is not really firing, back row is the strongest part of the team. Thought that Flook, Wright, McDermott, Campbell, Daugunu and Lynagh were the Reds best. Lynagh highlighted the weakness of JoC's boot and ability as a 10, when he came on. Happy for the win and many thanks to the Drua for some entertaining Rugby.
Richie
Roar Rookie
Yep Tate could do with more consistency from his tight five. Sometimes he over plays it, which could be a symptom of inconsistent ball. I do like how lonergan is performing with brumbies, and hopefully develop further as he needs to.
The Ferret
Roar Rookie
I'm bot sold on Lonergran at 9. He does have a great pass, and kicking game (including at goal) but he is just a ball distributor at this time. Both White and McDermott offer much more around the field than Lonergran does. Remember a 9 is only as good as the pack he is behind and both those brumbies lads have the advantage of being behind a great pack. Also a reason Carter Gordon is looking so good at the rebels. He is getting great ball to him as the Rebels pack is delivering the goods too.
Wizz
Roar Rookie
Wallaby bolters Wilkin and Schoup.
Richie
Roar Rookie
I’m with on that last bit Ferret. Atm Nic White is no. 2 at the brumbies imo, let alone at wallabies.
The Ferret
Roar Rookie
Uru did have a good game. I would say it was by far his best of there season so far. I did not think Harry was to bad. Yes the grubber was a bad option (but a grubber is only a bad option if it does not work the way you want otherwise you are a genius) and the pass to the face of Fraser was just terrible. I would say it is hard to play a good game when it is so stop start. Lets just hope they have blown some of the cobwebs out and come back for win number 3 this weekend.
The Ferret
Roar Rookie
Bobby V is still the first pick on my wallabies team sheet and Nic White is probably number 2. But a good coach needs to manage game time of the incumbents while providing opportunities for other to grow. Bobby V cant start every test and as you have probably noticed i'm not sold on the shiny new toy over at the tahs with red head gear.
Jimbo81
Roar Rookie
Liam Not Tom
Richie
Roar Rookie
I’m a brumbies supporter having a banter with a reds supporter. As if I’d want Valentini out of the wallabies, but now that I think about it you do have an interesting thought. While I love the brumbies when it comes to the wallabies I want what’s best. Cheers Ferret and where coming to get you again up there. :thumbup:
Richie
Roar Rookie
Nah brumbies fan just having a bit of fun. I must have touched a nerve for a few. A bit of banter as the reds brumbies games are always good, as will be the return game up there.
The Ferret
Roar Rookie
That is the core of the issue with reffing. One week he will get rewarded the next nothing the next penalized out of the park.
Spunkmeyer
Roar Rookie
The Waratahs look like a team that have just met.No cohesion at all.I think Coleman has run out of ideas to get the ryhthum going. The bizzarre persistance with the chopping and changing is cheika-esque. He better have a brainstorm fast or his team will be out of contention for a finals spot and Wallaby jumpers wont be coming either. Personally id drop Gordon Donaldson Perese and Hanigan and bring in Edmed Walton Holloway Tuipolotou Harrison and Ted Wilson.Then reshufflle the bench.Hooper needs a rest but Gamble is injured.Coleman has some tough calls to make.
Joffrey
Roar Rookie
They also look good beating up the Waratahs. 3 years in a row now. :laughing:
savant
Roar Rookie
That’s the trouble with halves that run. Fines has the same mystifying effect on the Force backline. I think both are better at the back end of games.
TiredOldGit
Roar Rookie
Taj is from the same school as Carter Gordon and Mason Gordon. Interesting to watch anyone that comes out of there as the school put a lot of resources into securing their first premiership since 1954 and they achieved it in 2020.
Adsa
Roar Rookie
Uru was offside Hoy, I was cringing waiting for advantage to be called. He had his back foot behind the line but front foot and arm on the other side. We stress to Juniors at coaching both feet behind the line or be penalised.
TiredOldGit
Roar Rookie
He's a good finisher who can't take a high ball which means he's not a fullback.