The Queensland Reds have clinched a spot in the grand final of the Super Rugby Under-16s with their 24-12 win over the Western Force in Perth today.
The match was strongly contested in rainy conditions and the value of a fast start was vital for the young Queenslanders.
The Reds scored their four tries in the first half, including flanker Matti Gill's opening five-pointer after just four minutes when the size and power of the pack dominated play.
The selection call to add extra size to the Reds pack paid off with 1.97cm Fraser Boakes, normally a lock, playing just his second game at blindside flanker.
Boakes spun out of a tackle to score a valuable try in the first half, off a James Smith pass, did a lot of hard forward work and came up with a key lineout steal when the gritty Force were rallying in the second half.
"There was a big focus in our pre-game chats about getting a fast start which we did," Boakes said.
"We spoke about this being a do-or-die game. A win would keep our season moving towards the grand final but a loss would probably bump us out.
"It was only my second game as a blindside but I really like the play style of the position."
Reds coach Welmar Du Plessis was delighted with how the team opened the game.
"We started well and our set piece functioned nicely. We all know the second half could have been better so there are things to work on," Du Plessis said.
Outside backs Sangwani Chinula and Mitch Durrheim contributed strongly.
The unbeaten NSW Waratahs have already locked up top spot and hosting rights for a November 1 grand final in Sydney.
The match in Perth was all-important to potentially decide who the Waratahs would play.
The win means the Reds move into second spot on nine points, separated from the Force (nine) by a vastly superior points differential and a head-to-head success.
The Force cannot improve their position with a Round 5 bye while the Victorian U16s pulled off the upset of the series to toppled the ACT Brumbies 31-20 in Melbourne on Saturday.
That result ruled out the Brumbies from a late rally to get into grand final contention.
The table sits at Waratahs (14 points from three games, +195), Reds (nine points from three games, +66), Western Force (nine points from four games, -72), Victoria (four points from three games, -71) and Brumbies (no points from three games, -118).
The Reds and Brumbies U16s meet at Ballymore Stadium on Saturday at 10am as the first leg of a double-header with the Reds playing Japan's Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights at 1:30pm.
A Watch Party at Ballymore to view the Wallabies vs Japan Test on the big screen from 3:50pm will follow the Reds game.
Queensland Reds 24
Tries: Gill 2, Te Whitu, Boakes
Conversions: Meredith 2
Def
Western Force 12
Tries: Oosthuizen, Tiakia
Conversion: Heke
