The Queensland Reds have retained the Rod Macqueen Cup with a 21-7 victory over the Brumbies in Round 7 of Super Rugby Pacific at Suncorp Stadium.
The Reds scored 15-points-to-nil in the second half to run away with a 14-point win, keeping the Brumbies chasing their first win in Brisbane since 2015.
Extending their streak of home wins against Australian rivals to 13, the Reds bounced back from their four-point Round 5 defeat in the nation’s capital with a gutsy victory to celebrate Filipo Daugunu’s 50th Super Rugby appearance for Queensland.
The Brumbies scored first through reserve Cameron Clark to lead 7-3 in the 23rd minute, before going into the sheds up 7-6 following back-to-back penalties from James O'Connor.
Flanker Fraser McReight gave the Reds their first five-pointer in the second half, digging through the defence to score and give the home team a 13-7 lead in the 43rd minute.
O’Connor orchestrated the Queenslanders second try of the night to lead 21-7 with 10-minutes to play. The flyhalf's bullet pass flew over Rod Iona’s head to land in the hands of Daugunu, who crossed for a memorable try in his milestone match.
The Fijian flyer's try sealed the win as Queensland secured their sixth victory of the season.
Queensland have a bye in Round 8 before back-to-back away games against the Rebels and Hurricanes in Melbourne. The Reds return home to host the Chiefs at Suncorp Stadium on Friday 29 April – tickets available via reds.rugby.
Queensland Reds 21
Tries: McReight, Daugunu
Conversions: O’Connor
Penalties: O’Connor 3
Brumbies 7
Tries: Clark
Conversions: Lonergan
