Off the back of another Fraser McReight masterclass and an eye-catching display from Seru Uru, the Queensland Reds have put away the Rebels 53-26 in Melbourne to cement themselves in the top four of the Super Rugby Pacific competition standings.
The Reds blew away the Rebels in the first half, scoring five tries against a meek Rebels defence to set up their win.
But it wasn’t necessarily the Reds’ developing backline causing the damage, with all five of the visitors’ first half tries coming from the forward pack as Uru scored a double.
Seru Uru scored a first half double for the Reds against the Rebels at AAMI Park, on March 15, 2024, in Melbourne. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)
The home side threatened to make a game of it in the second half, as they came out of the blocks quickly to cross for two quick tries.
A moment of madness from Glen Vaihu however killed the Rebels’ momentum, as the winger attempted to keep the ball in play but only managed to hit Josh Flook on the chest as he seemingly mistook the Reds centre for his own. It led to the Reds hitting back immediately.
The Rebels didn’t go away, as Tuiani Taii Tualima scored under the stocks, but another mistake centre field allowed replacement fly-half Tom Lynagh to break away and the Reds scored seconds later through Josh Nasser.
Flook finished with a double after some more McReight magic saw the midfielder cross out wide.
Reds co-skipper Liam Wright, who scored his side’s third try, said he was chuffed to come away with the big win despite a slow start to the second half.
“I’m really pleased with the result, 53 points away from home is a good result,” he said.
“We struggled in patches, I think that’s because Melbourne out-enthused us there.
“They really came out of the blocks in that second half, you could see that they were playing up-tempo and they were winning that gain line battle, but we fought our way back into it and capitalised on a few little errors to hurt their momentum. We’ll take a good result but there’s a lot to improve on.”
Josh Flook scored a second half double at AAMI Park, on March 15, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)
Rebels skipper Rob Leota lamented his side’s slow start, where the embattled franchise, who were coming off the back of consecutive wins, had no answer to the Reds’ quick ball as they offered little challenge at the ruck and offered little defensive linespeed.
“The first half wasn’t good enough,” Leota said.
“We were really passive in defence and if you give a great team like that, who has good flair, it just allowed them to easy points, so we’ve got to be better than that and work harder.”
McReight was once again outstanding in the win, as he twice got on the ball to deny the Rebels.
The first came in the 36th minute, as he won a penalty on his own line just as the Rebels looked like finally firing a shot.
The second came late in the match, as he stole it clean and set up their strong finish.
Of course, in-between his fine work on the defensive side of the ball, the openside flanker’s fine hands and strong work rate was on display.
Such was the commanding performance that not only is McReight a lock in the No.7 jersey, but he’s building a compelling case to enter the Wallabies captaincy debate.
Uru was another who delivered an eye-catching performance.
The versatile forward has always had a point of difference with his ability to play through the middle and offload, but the 27-year-old is now consistently backing up his performances and doing his core roles well too.
Flook was another whose stocks continue to rise, as the midfielder scored a double and won a breakdown penalty late in the match after shifting to inside centre for the injured Isaac Henry.
For the Rebels, Kevin Foote shocked many when he replaced props Matt Gibbon and Taniela Tupou after 33 minutes.
The Rebels might have been passive in the opening half-hour, but Tupou won a breakdown penalty and was by no means the main culprit for their slow start.
The Rebels’ comeback was built off a stronger defensive linespeed and stronger leg drive through contact, but there was too much ground to make up after their hopeless first half.
The 27-point win saw the Reds climb up into second spot on 15 points, where they trail the ladder-leading Hurricanes (17) who earlier on Friday managed to sneak home against the winless Crusaders. The Rebels are fourth on 10 points.
KDizzle
Roar Rookie
Maybe I’ve missed him in the past but Henry is quality. So much go forward and really good decision making in that 12 posi. Agreed, they will miss him and it’s a shame he is out for the season. Aus rugby and the Reds need the depth. Paistrami despite being a really good player is fairly prone to injury. I suppose that happens when you hit the line, or the tackle as hard as he does.
KDizzle
Roar Rookie
What!? No more jobs for the boys? Outrageous
MG
Roar Rookie
Isaac Henry has been outstanding. Hard running, cool headed, knows how to straighten the attack and rarely overplays his hand. And has a good boot. It’s a real shame he’s been injured again. Even with JOC and Hunter Paisami to come back I think the Reds will miss Isaac a lot.
Old school rugby
Roar Rookie
I'm hoping Lynagh.
Bodger
Roar Rookie
He’s had a couple of serious injuries and had talked about walking away previously. He’s probably not there mentally or physically at the moment. He needs to be managed in the sense they need to get him fit and confident. He should be coming into his peak years.
KDizzle
Roar Rookie
Imagine Tupou with a coach that could help him fulfil his massive potential in terms of reaching heady heights @ a consistent level with a work rate to boot. Options: A - Exclude him and hope he works hard, remains in Aus and helps change player culture… B - Prioritise performers and grafters C - Include him as an additional during Wallabies camps D - ?
ShortBlind
Roar Rookie
He needs to go the NH where they will make him lose 15KG, up his work rate and school him in the dark arts of the front row. Same as they did with Skelton. Why the Aussi system/coaches can’t achieve this is a head scratcher that Horne needs to remedy.
ShortBlind
Roar Rookie
Hasn’t affected FMR’s ball skills either- his short passing game is better than many backs. Looking at you Hunter P, Sami K, oh and Vunivala too.
Old school rugby
Roar Rookie
That’s not going to happen. Persevering with Donaldson and Gordon for 2024. Lynagh probably my third pick for a development type flyhalf like what they did with Jorgensen. I was hoping Lolesio would step up but the season is still young. HMP needs more years in the game. Not even sure if flyhalf is his calling. Potentially 12.
K.F.T.D.
Roar Rookie
Seriously?
MD
Roar Rookie
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MD
Roar Rookie
Tupou needs a coach who can control his intake of dunkin donuts you mean
MD
Roar Rookie
Yeah i like Jordy Potato even though he looks like a prancing pony running, and Paisano is good for a mean tackle but they drop the ball too much, make mistakes etc. Looked much better with Henry in. Whats the latest on Henry? The Fez, The fuzz, the fuzzy muff Fezler is best though. Who doesn't like a bit of fuzzy muff hey?
KDizzle
Roar Rookie
Had a giggle. Despite liking them, they do love a dropped ball from forcing a pass.
Wig1
Roar Rookie
That was a master stroke TT leaving the reds...look at them go
Wig1
Roar Rookie
Early menopause setting in
The Strategist
Roar Rookie
Harry Wilson is absolutely test standard. The work Wilson does is outstanding. His work rate, link play, breakdown security surpass all the other contenders. His biggest asset is his ability to consistently recycle ball unbelievably quickly. People question his ability to break the line. What they don't notice is he doesn't try to as his primary focus. His number 1 goal is to recycle the ball fast. He is normally first hit up and the speed of this recycle sets up the following phases. Someone like Valetini, Leota always tries for the extra metre which may look great but slows down the recycle and the following phases of play. Also can we drop the lineout jumping thing with Wilson. He regularly jumps in long lineouts and I have never seen him lose one thrown to him. Just another myth that people keep regurgitating without fact. The reality is that the Red's choose to use McReight and Wilson out in the backline for the first phases alot as they are so good at supporting these first phases on an attacking lineout. Valetini used to be one of my favourite players. His play has stayed one dimensional and his work rate so low that I suggest his chances of making the Wallaby's is dropping each week. He also did not live up to his potential last world cup or the preceding Test season.
Guess
Roar Rookie
Last year tahs had 1 most of the season. And he wasn't good
Guess
Roar Rookie
What's your problem? You don't like Gordon?
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
But surely they were competitive? Made meters, won the scrum battle. Parity or better in the LO.