A slickly-executed set play at the death won the Queensland Reds a thrilling 33-31 decision over Moana Pasifika in Auckland today.
With just two minutes to play, standout fullback Jock Campbell dashed over off an inside ball from centre Josh Flook to decide the match in Swyftx Super Rugby Pacific.
The Reds had capitalised perfectly on a strong scrum 30m out to launch the decisive attack to the right through a neat pass from replacement flyhalf Ben Volavola.
As important was young replacement forward Vaiuta Latu securing the re-start under enormous pressure.
"You had to respect what was on the line for Moana Pasifika, the emotion and the spirit that came through for them. Their tackles were monstrous at times," Reds Head Coach Les Kiss said.
"We find a way. As we have done three or four times this season, we held our nerve and found solutions when we had to. The final scrum, the try, the restart to close it out...those qualities came through. When we had to play big, we did and that was the pleasing part."
The win keeps the Reds in sixth spot with one regular season match to play against the Fijian Drua at Suncorp Stadium next Friday night to settle the top six for finals.
The Reds sit on 32 points, one point behind the fifth-placed ACT Brumbies (33), and ahead of the NSW Waratahs (27) and the Western Force (22), who have a game to play tonight. The Waratahs can't leapfrog the Reds even by finishing on equal points because the Reds will have won more matches.
The Reds dug deep when most needed at North Harbour Stadium. They led 26-7 after 44 minutes before Moana Pasifika went on a 24-0 scoring streak to lead 31-26 at the 75-minute mark.
"It was a great game of footy and a phenomenal atmosphere with us having the privilege of playing in their last home game," Reds captain Fraser McReight told Sky Sport's on the sideline.
"In that last 25 minutes, they had all the momentum. We had to scratch to get it back and had to show some ice in the veins to execute at the end. I'm super proud of the boys."
Moana Pasifika jumped to a 7-0 lead inside the opening 90 seconds so credit was due the Reds for reaching half-time with a 21-7 lead.
The equaliser on 10 minutes was one of the best tries of the season from the Reds and constructed on counter-attack over nearly 70m.
Winger Tim Ryan scored with his third touch in the one sweeping movement after interplay with fullback Campbell, who sliced through from the backfield, and No.8 Harry Wilson.
Lock Jock Canham pushed himself impressively to the 80th minute in his comeback match and made his return felt at lineout time. Midway through the first half, he won good ball with a well-timed leap. The ball was spread quickly across the backline but was jolted free by Moana Pasifika.
Canham tracked more than 35m across field from the lineout to seize the loose ball and power over from 10m out.
Approaching half-time, returning skipper McReight earned his second turnover at the breakdown to get the Reds moving downfield. The Reds sustained the pressure and a further penalty was kicked to touch to set up a 5m lineout.
The assault finally paid off with a strong Josh Nasser ball-carry and halfback Tate McDermott sharply directing his pass from the ruckbase to Ryan who swivelled over.
McDermott played a polished 50 minutes in his first appearance for the Reds this season after returning from a hamstring injury.
The Reds capitalised just after half-time (21-7) with another sustained passage. This time, a powerful 5m midfield scrum got the Reds on the front foot. Fullback Campbell was in the first receiver position to rip a fine cutout pass to winger Treyvon Pritchard. The teenager's dancing feet got him to the corner for a one-handed dot down.
In quick succession, Moana Pasifika gained momentum from a try to No.8 Semisi Tupou Taieiloa, a penalty try and a fine finish from former Ipswich Grammar star Israel Leota to turn the game.
Leota scored with the Reds defending with 14 men with flanker Joe Brial off the field with a yellow card.
The home side led 28-26 entering the final 22 minutes. McReight, the ever-productive Flook, Campbell and Canham were all productive in the final period as the Reds showed cool at the death.
Queensland Reds 33
Tries: Tim Ryan 2, Josh Canham, Treyvon Pritchard, Jock Campbell
Conversions: Carter Gordon 3, Ben Volavola
Def
Moana Pasifika 31
Tries: Augustine Pulu, Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa, Israel Leota, penalty try
Conversions: Patrick Pellegrini 3
Penalty goal: Patrick Pellegrini
Half-time: Reds 21-Moana Pasifika 7
Venue: North Harbour Stadium, Auckland
