Sunwolves vs Reds: Reds snatch win 34-31

Match result:

The Queensland Reds have defeated the Sunwolves, 34-31, in a see-sawing match in Tokyo.

12 minutes into the game, Michael Little found some space down the left, picking out Jamie Booth who crashed over out wide to put the hosts in the lead. Hayden Parker converted it, as with all of his attempts in the first half.

Mauls were the only way the Reds could go forward in that first stanza, and Liam Wright fell over to open the Queenslanders’ scoring, from a lineout on the 22.

Vosayaco found some space on the right to score for the hosts, giving them a healthy nine-point buffer in the 23rd minute.

The Japanese found the line once again before halftime, with Prior’s hard ball-running paying off with a five-pointer.

Saumaki did most of the work, sliding down the blindside, before offloading back to Prior for the try, which ensured a 21-5 halftime lead.

In the 45th minute, former Rebels dynamo Amanaki Mafi made his return to Super Rugby at eight, and was impactful all game.

From the very start of the second half, the Reds were out to play, but it only started coming to fruition when they scored their second try, going to Brandon Paenga-Amosa who ground over at the bottom of a ruck.

From the kickoff they went straight upfield, eventually seeing Harry Hockings crash over under the sticks, for the second Reds try in about three minutes, putting them within two points.

Paenga-Amosa was to score again, putting the Queenslanders in the lead for the first time this match. The conversion put them out by five, and by then the visitors looked likely to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.

The kickoff went astray and the Sunwolves quickly got on the offensive, as Mafi carted it up before Keisuke Uchida drove over to put the locals back in front, 28-26, setting up a thrilling last 10 minutes.

Tate McDermott locked it up with a try, but Hamish Stewart couldn’t reclaim the lead for the men in red, leaving it at 31-31.

A penalty at the death was all too easy for Stewart, and Hockings claimed the kickoff, and the Reds held on for a stunning victory, given where they were at halftime.

Final score
Sunwolves 31
Reds 34

Match preview:

We don’t say it often, but the Sunwolves are favourites to beat the winless Reds in their clash this afternoon, given their relative form and history against the Queenslanders. Join The Roar for live scores and blog from 3:15pm AEDT.

The visitors weren’t looking for a start like this. Three games, three losses, only one competition point and some very poor performances.

Their forward pack hasn’t been a pushover, but not dominant either, and their backline has largely been dodgy. If they want to buck this trend of average performances, a victory today is a good place to start.

These two teams are equal 14th on the tries tally, with nine apiece, however the visitors are much more disciplined, having conceded 27 penalties this season – just half of the Sunwolves’ 54.

A lopsided 15-3 penalty count was what severely hamstrung the hosts in their loss to the Blues, and in order to win today they’ll need to be very tight.

The Reds will come to Tokyo with a specific game plan: they’ll try to utilise their bigger forward pack and make inroads into the Japanese defence, while their opponents will want to run them off their feet yet not give away as much ball as they did in North Harbour.

Handling errors and discipline will be the deciding factor today, in two very different teams with contrasting styles of play.

In team news: Brad Thorn rests Taniela Tupou and Izack Rodda, which brings Ruan Smith into tighthead, pushes Lukhan Salakaia-Loto to lock and puts Angus Scott-Young in at 6.

Alex Mafi moves into hooker, and sends Paenga-Amosa back to the bench.

For the Sunwolves, former Rebels dynamo Amanaki Mafi comes onto the bench, even while serious assault charges are still to be determined.

Uwe Helu played a big part in the win over the Chiefs, and after being rotated to the bench last week, returns to the starting side.

Rikiya Matsuda’s performance at 10 last week wasn’t enough to keep him there, instead he drops to the bench, as star goal-kicker Hayden Parker will steer the ship.

Gerhard van den Heever had a big game last week, and leads the competition in run metres, so he’ll loom as a threat for the Reds to contain.

The Reds will still be stinging after their 35-point thrashing last year, even though they avoided losing twice to the Sunwolves with a 21-point home win.

Sunwolves can win this, and should do just that against a suspect Reds team.

Time: 3:15pm AEDT.
Venue: Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium.
Odds: $1.62 Sunwolves, $2.30 Reds.
TV: Fox Sports 503.
Referee: Damon Murphy.

Sunwolves
1. Pauliasi Manu, 2. Atsushi Sakate, 3. Hiroshi Yamashita, 4. Uwe Helu, 5. Tom Rowe, 6. Ben Gunter, 7. Dan Pryor, 8. Rahboni Warren Vosayaco, 9. Jamie Booth, 10. Hayden Parker, 11. Hosea Saumaki, 12. Michael Little, 13. Sione Teaupa, 14. Gerhard Van Den Heever, 15. Jason Emery.

Replacements: 16. Jaba Bregvadze, 17. Sam Prattley, 18. Asaeli Ai Valu, 19. James Moore, 20. Amanaki Lelei Mafi, 21. Keisuke Uchida, 22. Rikiya Matsuda, 23. Semisi Masirewa.

Reds
1. JP Smith, 2. Alex Mafi, 3. Ruan Smith, 4. Harry Hockings, 5. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 6. Angus Scott-Young, 7. Liam Wright, 8. Scott Higginbotham, 9. Moses Sorovi, 10. Isaac Lucas, 11. Sefa Naivalu, 12. Duncan Paia’aua, 13. Samu Kerevi (c), 14. Chris Feauai-Sautia, 15. Hamish Stewart.

Bench: 16. Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 17. Harry Hoopert, 18. Feao Fotuaika, 19. Angus Blyth, 20. Caleb Timu, 21. Tate McDermott, 22. Teti Tela, 23. Filipo Daugunu.