The Queensland Reds have fallen 30-17 to the Hurricanes in Round 10 of Harvey Norman Super Rugby Pacific in Melbourne.
Queensland led 17-nil at the half-hour mark, before allowing the New Zealanders to score 30 unanswered points in front of a strong crowd at AAMI Park for the inaugural Super Round weekend.
Fraser McReight and Hamish Stewart both crossed for tries in the defeat, while Lawson Creighton made his Queensland and Super Rugby starting debut at flyhalf.
Creighton opened the scoring early with a penalty goal, before the Hurricanes were reduced to 14-men with Bailyn Sullivan yellow-carded for a dangerous tackle.
Stewart extended the Queensland lead to 10-nil in the 23rd minute with his second try of 2022. It was a Hunter Paisami break which started the points-scoring sequence, the Wallaby centre slicing through the defence before finding Taniela Tupou who linked with Stewart to score under the posts.
A second Hurricanes yellow card gave Queensland another attacking opportunity in the New Zealander’s half and it was McReight who capitalised, the flanker diving over for his side’s second try. Creighton continued his perfect form off the tee to give Queensland a 17-nil lead with 10-minutes to play in the opening half.
Sullivan had the Hurricanes’ first try of the night in the 36th minute, cutting the Queensland lead to 17-7.
Connor Vest was shown a yellow card on the stroke of half-time for a high tackle, and the Hurricanes made the most of their advantage with a Tyrell Lomax try bringing the score to 17-14 at the break.
The Hurricanes raced out of the blocks in the second-forty to claim their first lead of the match with another Lomax try, before a Barrett penalty and a second Sullivan try put the final score out to 30-17.
Queensland return home next round to host the Chiefs at Suncorp Stadium on Friday 29 April. Tickets are available via reds.rugby.
Queensland Reds 17
Tries: Stewart, McReight
Conversions: Creighton 2
Penalties: Creighton
Hurricanes 30
Tries: Sullivan 2, Lomax 2
Conversions: Barrett 2
Penalties: Barrett 2
