The Queensland Reds pulled off a gritty 28-21 victory over the NSW Waratahs on Friday night when winger Lachie Anderson produced a late match-winner in Sydney.
The Reds hit the front for the first time with four minutes to play thanks to the big-moment poise that decided the SMARTECH Super Rugby Pacific clash.
The Reds had trailed 14-0 midway through the first half and needed to back their strong defence when down to 14 men in the second half because of a yellow card to lock Josh Canham.
The key victory for the fourth-placed Reds gives them a huge chance to apply pressure to the third-placed ACT Brumbies when they meet in Canberra on Saturday week.
“I’m super proud of the boys for that performance and rebounding from that tough, late loss in Fiji a week ago,” Reds skipper Tate McDermott said.
“I thought the guys who came into the game really made a difference and it showed we picked a 6-2 bench for a reason.”
Reds Head Coach Les Kiss was also upbeat about the qualities that came through on a wet night where a physical start from the Waratahs and injuries never made it easy.
“There was grit shown. That’s not something that has just suddenly emerged. It’s there in how we work hard so we understand what it takes to win these tight games,” Kiss said.
“A lot of qualities shone through…the pride we showed, the belief we showed, the depth we had to show.
“Beyond that it was the management of the players and selection for two games because not a lot of teams come back from Fiji and win at their next start.”
The win secured the Templeton Cup and a fourth straight win over the Waratahs in rugby’s oldest rivalry.
The experience of fullback Jock Campbell came to the fore in the 27th minute when he spotted a vacant backfield and punted long.
A strong chase by Anderson pressured Triston Reilly when he gathered the ball. With Campbell also dashing 60m to arrive on the scene, the Waratahs player was forced back over his tryline to concede a 5m scrum.
The Reds forced a scrum penalty. In trademark style, halfback McDermott took a quick tap. With a step and a twist, he got the ball down to narrow the scores to 14-7.
“That was a crucial, sparking moment from Tate to put us back in the game because, credit to the Waratahs, they won the battle early,” Kiss said.
Waratahs fullback Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii was taken off in a medi-cab following a head knock late in the first half after copping an accidental knee from teammate Andrew Kellaway at the breakdown.
The Reds found a second try to level the scores at 14-all shortly after at the 37-minute mark when hooker Richie Asiata scored a trademark rolling maul try off a lineout.
The Reds were forced to return after half-time without flyhalf Tom Lynagh (head knock) and flanker Seru Uru (knee).
A Taniela Tupou try gave the Waratahs the lead 21-14 when the Reds were down to 14 men before another rolling maul try from replacement hooker Josh Nasser levelled at 21-all.
With time running out, centre Daugunu dabbed a perfect cross-field kick which bounced just right for Anderson to grab and scoot away for the winning try.
The build-up was excellent with replacement halfback Kalani Thomas handling three times.
Flanker Fraser McReight had a fine game with his defence, his 14 ball carries and three key turnovers.
Winger Tim Ryan was productive and busy, replacement prop Jeffery Toomaga-Allen took on the scrum challenge against Tupou, Daugunu pushed to the full 80 minutes in his comeback game, replacement flyhalf Harry McLaughlin-Phillips showed poise when needed and strong contributions came from across the field.
QUEENSLAND REDS 28
Tries: Tate McDermott, Richie Asiata, Josh Nasser, Lachie Anderson
Conversions: Tom Lynagh 2, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips 2
Defeated
NSW WARATAHS 21
Tries: Henry O’Donnell, Jake Gordon, Taniela Tupou
Conversions: Tane Edmed 3
Half-time: 14-all
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Crowd: 18,945
