The Queensland Reds have suffered a 47-13 defeat in the opening round of Super Rugby Pacific, falling to the Hurricanes at Townsville’s Queensland Country Bank Stadium.
The visiting side led by just three-points after a tightly contested opening-forty minutes, before the Hurricanes ran in five unanswered tries in the second stanza to claim a 34-point win.
Tom Lynagh, Jake Upfield, Taj Annan and Peni Ravai made their Queensland debuts in the loss, while prop Sef Fa’agase celebrated his 50th cap.
It took debutant Lynagh just three-minutes to register his first points for Queensland, the 19-year-old opening the scoring with a penalty goal early.
Lynagh made it 6-nil in the 11th minute with another three-pointer, before Jordie Barrett evened the ledger with two penalties of his own, the scores 6-all in the 26th minute.
Petaia had Queensland’s first try in the 28th minute, the fullback burrowing his way over the line from close range after Hunter Paisami collected the crumbs of a Lynagh cross-field kick and was tackled just centimetres from the line. Lyangh slotted the conversion from the sideline to open up a 13-6 lead.
The Hurricanes hit back quickly to again lock the scores, outside centre Billy Proctor finding the line, before Ryan Smith was yellow carded for obstruction. Barrett took full advantage, nailing another penalty to give the visitors their first lead of the night at 16-13 in the 35th minute.
A rolling maul delivered the Hurricanes a penalty try early in the second-half, giving the New Zealanders a 23-13 lead and a one-man advantage once again with Seru Uru yellow carded in the process.
Cam Roigard was next to score, the Hurricanes scrumhalf slicing through to score under the sticks and put the score out to 30-13 with 26-minutes to play.
Du'Plessis Kirifi was shown a yellow card, but it failed to halt their momentum, Jamie Booth crossing for his side’s fourth try of the night with 10-minutes to play. Barrett continued his perfect form off the tee to extend their lead to 37-13.
Tries to Ardie Savea and Tyrel Lomax put the final score out to 47-13, the visitors claiming a comprehensive victory in Townsville.
Queensland travel to Melbourne next week to face the Western Force in a Sunday Super Round clash. Secure your 2023 Reds Membership via https://bit.ly/3UP1YDJ.
