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the Reds the regular ended Super Rugby AU season in good style beating leaders Brumbies 26-7 at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on Saturday.
Brad Thorn’s charges were hugely impressive in the first half, going 18-0 up front thanks to attempts by Liam Wright and Chris Feauai-Sautia. James O’Connor also added two penalties and a conversion before the Canberra team responded through Pete Samu’s converted score.
He kept the visitors in contention, but they couldn’t take advantage of that and couldn’t score in the second period.
Instead, O’Connor hit another triple and Tate McDermott moved on to the home team to provide the ideal preparation for next week’s elimination game against the Rebels.
There was not much at stake in this result, other than mere pride and that perhaps resulted in the disappointing display of the Brumbies. With an additional week off, Dan McKellar’s men can put their feet up as they watch the Reds and Rebels fight on September 12.
So the hosts were looking to build some momentum heading into that contest and they were excellent in the first quarter. A strong defensive effort early was followed by a powerful attack as Jock Campbell made a foray through the visiting rear.
That put them on the front foot before the defender stepped into the fray for the second time on the play, as his break and brilliant discharge to Wright allowed the captain to finish wide.
O’Connor made a mistake with the conversion, but soon made up for that mistake by taking a penalty to increase the Reds’ lead to eight points.
The Brumbies were quite mediocre, but they managed to chain some phases. The McKellar charges seized the opportunity brilliantly, with Nic White sending Tevita Kuridrani running towards the line. All the center had to do was score but, in the act of scoring, the ball was released and gave the locals a break.
Thorn’s team duly took advantage of that waste when another successful effort off the tee from their high half opened an 11-point margin, before it became 18 after 37 minutes.
Once again, Campbell claimed an assist, but this was a little easier with the space created by the inner backs. A two against one was mounted and the pass from the side was picked up by Feauai-Sautia, who did the rest.
It seemed like a long way back to the men from the capital, but they managed to respond a little before the interval when Samu walked in and crossed the street.
Encouraged by that score, the Brumbies were better in the second period. They played much more intensely and defied the Reds cover up numerous times, but mistakes invaded their game and stopped their momentum.
Twice the Canberra team touched the line begging and duly remained scoreless until the fourth quarter. Instead, it was the hosts who scored first in the final 40 minutes when O’Connor added another triple after a violation by Will Miller.
That secured an impressive victory, but McDermott added the shine, who ran clear to score later.
Scores
Reds
Attempts: Liam Wright, Chris Feauai-Sautia
Conversion: James O’Connor
Penalties James O’Connor (3)
Brumbies
Attempts: Peter Samu
Conversions: Bayley Kuenzle
Penalties
Teams
Reds
15 Jock Campbell, 14 Chris Feauai-Sautia, 13 Jordan Petaia, 12 Hamish Stewart, 11 Filipo Daugunu, 10 James O’Connor, 9 Tate McDermott, 8 Harry Wilson, 7 Fraser McReight, 6 Liam Wright, 5 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 4 Angus Blyth, 3 Taniela Tupou, 2 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 1 Harry Hoopert
Substitutes: 16 Josh Nasser, 17 JP Smith, 18 Ruan Smith, 19 Tuaina Taii Tualima, 20 Angus Scott-Young, 21 Moses Sorovi, 22 Bryce Hegarty, 23 Hunter Paisami
Brumbies
15 Tom Banks, 14 Andy Muirhead, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Irae Simon, 11 Tom Wright, 10 Bayley Kuenzle, 9 Nic White, 8 Pete Samu, 7 Will Miller, 6 Rob Valetini, 5 Cadeyrn Neville, 4 Darcy Swain, 3 Allan Alaalatoa (captain), 2 Folau Fainga’a, 1 Scott Sio.
Substitutes: 16 Connal McInerney, 17 James Slipper, 18 Tom Ross, 19 Nick Frost, 20 Lachlan McCaffrey, 21 Ryan Lonergan, 22 Len Ikitau, 23 Solomone Kata
– TEAMtalk Media
