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Australia’s hopes of two trans-Tasman wins in Super Round have been denied by a whisker, as the Hurricanes beat the Reds 38-33 in golden point at Melbourne’s AAMI Park on Sunday afternoon.
In a cracking, tit-for-tat clash where the margin was no greater than seven points at any time, Cam Roigard’s second try and some fantastic goal-line defence with Jordie Barrett sitting in the sin bin sent the match into extra time.
The Reds were pinned in their half for most of golden point, before Tom Lynagh sensed an opportunity to counter from a poor kick chase and managed to get Les Kiss’ side into the Hurricanes territory.
But a controversial penalty to the Hurricanes for failing to release swung the match, as Cormac Daly was pinged despite being tackle by replacement loose-forward Vevenu Lasaqa, who was not in an onside position when he initially made contact.
Unlike the wasteful Reds, the men from Wellington made it count from the resulting lineout off the penalty as Pisilio Tosi, the giant replacement tight-head prop, barged his way over out wide.
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Pasilio Tosi of the Hurricanes celebrates scoring the game’s winning try in golden point against the Queensland Reds at AAMI Park, on March 03, 2024, in Melbourne. (Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images)
Co-captain Liam Wright lamented the “moments” the Reds let slip following Barrett’s upgraded red card for a high shot on Jordie Petaia in the 56th minute that meant the Hurricanes were down to 14 men for 20 minutes.
“Credit to the Hurricanes, they fought really hard,” Wright said.
“With a man down they went to a really smart game-plan, kept putting us back in our corners and capitalised at the end there. I’ve got nothing but respect for them.
“I thought our boys showed a lot of heart tonight. We spoke about trying to get a little bit better. In certain areas we were. I thought our maul and scrum performed really well.
“You can’t fault the heart in this team, but we’ll have to lick our wounds and look at moments that cost us there.”
The Queensland Reds look dejected after losing in golden point to the Hurricanes at AAMI Park, on March 03, 2024, in Melbourne. (Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images)
Kiss agreed the Reds missed too many chances during regular time.
“Yeah, that’s the story,” he said on Stan Sport. “I don’t think we lost it in the extra time, we didn’t win it in the 80. They’re a tough team to play.”
Not for the first time this weekend the Australians were caught on the hop by their New Zealand opponents, as Ruben Love scored in the fourth minute.
Harry Wilson helped give the Reds the lead soon after though, as the big No.8 dived over from close range.
The Hurricanes grabbed back the ascendency in the 24th minute, as winger Kini Naholo scored after some quick hands in the backline.
It was at that point the Reds’ forwards rolled up their sleeves, kept the ball tight and went to work. It paid dividends, as Zane Nonggorr crashed over from close range in the 32nd minute.
Four minutes later the Reds were in again, as Tate McDermott scored out wide. Tom Lynagh’s conversion gave the Reds a 19-12 lead.
But as is so often the case, the Hurricanes struck back right on the stroke of half-time as Roigard showcased his trying score sense to score under the sticks. It was a theme of the night that plagued the Reds.
A fortuitous bounce led to Josh Flook, who was excellent all afternoon in defence, to spot a hole and pin the ears back to score.
Love’s second try then levelled up the game once more at 26-all.
The match appeared to swing in the Reds’ favour when Barrett was shown an upgraded red card for making high contact on Petaia after failing to dip as the fullback charged back from taking a kick. It was an unfortunate moment for the All Blacks back, who was playing his 100th Super Rugby match.
It didn’t take long for Matt Faessler, who was once again very good, to strike.
But Roigard’s second six minutes later in the 65th minute helped level it up.
The Reds, who lost Petaia and star midfielder Hunter Paisami to concussions as well as Alex Hodgman to a first-half injury, had several chances to regain the lead but some strong defence from the Hurricanes frustrated them.
In the end, the Reds were forced to defend their line in the dying seconds.
Initially, they held on.
Finally, they cracked.
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