Fighting Reds in try blitz
A REMARKABLE Queensland Reds comeback has secured Brad Thorn’s team a 41-17 Super Rugby bonuspoint victory over the Bulls at Suncorp Stadium.
Having slipped to a 17-0 deficit inside 20 minutes to the South African visitors last night, the Reds scored six unanswered tries either side of halftime.
This saw them claim just their second win of the season.
A knee injury to young backrower Harry Wilson was the only negative for the Reds.
The 20-year-old limped off in the 57th minute with a suspected medial ligament injury.
The win appeared unlikely as the Pretoria-based Bulls came out flying in the opening minutes.
Halfback Embrose Papier opened the scoring in the eighth minute but it was the pace of the visitors’ outside backs that tore the home team apart early.
Jet-heeled winger Rosko Specman scored one before combining with World Cup- winning fullback Warrick Gelant to race to a 17-0 lead inside 20 minutes.
The Reds also copped a yellow card to Chris FeauaiSautia during the onslaught after he was penalised for a dangerous late tackle.
With the game threatening to slip away, Reds’ skipper Liam Wright provided the spark when he crashed over in the 29th minute.
Wright then provided inspiration in defence to deny Specman on the tryline before winning a penalty in the following phases.
His efforts were rewarded minutes later when Isaac Lucas got on the end of three quick offloads to bring the hosts within three at halftime.
The comeback was complete at the start of the second half when another excellent team move ended with Taniela Tupou’s flick pass releasing Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, who scored to put the Reds in front for the first time in the match.
Further tries to Alex Mafi and Harry Hoopert iced the win, before Tupou secured the bonus point in the dying seconds of the match.
The Reds next face the Brumbies at Suncorp Stadium on March 27, while the Bulls take on the Waratahs in Tamworth next weekend.
WELLINGTON Phoenix believe they’re equipped to ride out any uncertainty wrought on the A-League by the coronavirus as they brace for a hectic run of three games in seven days.
The third-placed Phoenix find themselves in the rare position of being clear favourites against Melbourne Victory today, with the teams a picture of contrasting form ahead of the Sky Stadium fixture.
Ninth-placed Victory are undermanned and coming off a 4-1 hiding from leaders Sydney FC that leaves them seven points outside the top six.
Wellington are on a threegame winning streak and have picked up 22 points out of a possible 24 from their past eight at home.
Meanwhile, goalkeeper Paul Izzo says the blame game at Adelaide United must stop for the club to rescue its ALeague season.
The Reds have slipped to seventh spot ahead of today’s home fixture against Newcastle amid a horror three-game losing streak.
Adelaide have conceded five goals in two of those matches, including last week’s capitulation to Western United which tipped the Reds out of the top six.