Reds grind out win
Home side fail to cross line in Brumbies upset
THEY couldn’t score a try and copped another yellow card but the Queensland Reds have broken through for an 18-10 Super Rugby upset win over the Brumbies.
The Reds largely dominated possession and territory last night but had only six penalty goals to show for their efforts.
Three were scored by James Tuttle and three from Jono Lance.
Fortunately, it was all they needed to secure their first victory of the new campaign, proving the Reds are made of much sterner stuff than what their season-opening defeat to the Melbourne Rebels suggested.
The Brumbies went over twice – through halfback Joe Powell in the first half and Isi Naisarani with five minutes to go.
Neither effort was converted, letting Queensland off the hook in front of 11,034 fans at Suncorp Stadium and handing Brad Thorn his first Super Rugby win as their coach. Lance sealed it with his third penalty in the dying minutes.
Like last week, the Reds again were reduced to 14 men after Caleb Timu was yellowcarded controversially for a “cynical infringement” – a no-arms hit on Tom Banks – just before halftime.
But they came through it unscathed on the back of a performance built on ferocious defence and a strong set-piece showing.
The introduction of JP Smith – who replaced the injured James Slipper just before the break – helped cement their dominance with a series of crucial scrum penalty wins.
It wasn’t pretty but, for this long-suffering Queensland side, it didn’t matter. However, their inability to convert their chances would have cruelled them on another night.
At least four golden opportunities to cross the line went begging for the Reds in the first half alone.