[ad_1]
the Reds have advanced to the inauguration Super Rugby AU Final after defeating the Rebels at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on Saturday.
How it happened | Reds vs rebels
The local team won 25-13 after drawing 10-10 at halftime.
In a very close match, it was the Queensland team that came on the board first through Jordan Petaia. James O’Connor kicked the conversion and also added a penalty, but they were retained just before the half-time break through Marika Koroibete’s try and Matt Toomua’s 3-pointer.
Brad Thorn’s charges opened the second-brightest period, passing through Lukhan Salakaia-Loto for the second time, before O’Connor and Toomuna exchanged penalties.
The game was still very well prepared for the fourth quarter, with O’Connor and Reece Hodge successful off the tee, but the hosts maintained their composure and secured their place in the main event as Filipo Daugunu crossed the lime.
The Reds were ideally prepared with an impressive win over the leading Brumbies last week, but their opponents pressured them early on.
Dave Wessels’ men had made it into this elimination match thanks to a last minute try against Western Force, but showed improvement in the opening stages in Brisbane.
Dane Haylett-Petty threatened initially, while the always dangerous wing Koroibete was always a threat, and the Rebels were in the lead in the first 10 minutes.
They were stretching the hosts’ defense, but then proceeded to deliver the Queenslanders an absolute gift. Credit must go to Petaia, who once again impressed and read the play superbly, but Toomua will regret the pass he sent to the Australian international center scurrying across the lime.
Although the elevated middle partially made up for that mistake with a penalty earned by a powerful scrum, O’Connor restored the Reds’ seven-point buffer with a successful effort off the tee.
The home center then had a chance to extend that lead, but his three-point attempt failed and the Rebels benefited from that waste at the end of the half. Wessels’ charges went through phases and Koroibete saw a gap in the heart of the opposition rear to land and level things out in the interval.
The break came at an ideal time for the Reds, who recovered and responded early in the second period. Replacement hunter Paisami was the instigator, breaking through and finding Daugunu everywhere. The wing, with the defense covering him charging back, stepped inside and Salakaia-Loto was available to get on the ball and shoot.
The Melbourne team then suffered another blow when Toomua followed Haylett-Petty, who was replaced just after the break, off the field due to injury, but Hodge managed to reduce the delays from the tee.
However, they lacked the same power without that duo of Wallaby and O’Connor kept the Rebels at bay before the Reds secured their place in the final thanks to Daugunu’s late effort.
A beautiful inside ball from Bryce Hegarty puts the furious Taniela Tupou into the gap, and instead of trying to break through, she deftly sought support, finding Daugunu out of bounds, who passed for the try in the corner.
The Reds will now face the Brumbies in next weekend’s AU Super Rugby final at the GIO Stadium on Saturday 19 September (11:15 AM South Africa time).
Scorers:
Reds
Attempts: Jordan Petaia, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Filpo Daugunu
Conversions: James O’Connor (2)
Penalties: O’Connor (2)
Rebels
Test: Marika Koroibete
Conversion: Matt Toomua
Penalties: Toomua, Reece Hodge
Teams:
Reds
15 Jock Campbell, 14 Chris Feauai-Sautia, 13 Jordan Petaia, 12 Hamish Stewart, 11 Filpo Daugunu, 10 James O’Connor, 9 Tate McDermott, 8 Harry Wilson, 7 Fraser McReight, 6 Liam Wright (c), 5 Lukhan Salakaia -Loto, 4 Angus Blyth, 3 Taniela Tupou, 2 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 1 Harry Hoopert
Substitutes: 16 Alex Mafi, 17 JP Smith, 18 Jack Straker, 19 Tuaina Taii Tualima, 20 Angus Scott-Young, 21 Moses Sorovi, 22 Bryce Hegarty, 23 Hunter Paisami
Rebels
15 Dane Haylett-Petty (c), 14 Andrew Kellaway, 13 Reece Hodge, 12 Bill Meakes, 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Matt To’omua, 9 Frank Lomani, 8 Isi Naisarani, 7 Richard Hardwick, 6 Brad Wilkin, 5 Trevor Hosea , 4 Matt Philip, 3 Jermaine Ainsley, 2 Jordan Uelese, 1 Cameron Orr
Substitutes: 16 Efitusi Ma’afu, 17 Cabous Eloff, 18 Matt Gibbon, 19 Michael Stolberg, 20 Rob Leota, 21 Theo Strang, 22 Andrew Deegan, 23 Campbell Magney
– TEAMtalk Media
