Reds’ hoodoo strikes again
What is it about the Reds for the Chiefs?
In an eerie repeat of last season, the Queenslanders have pulled off another upset of the high-fliers, again hanging tough at the death to cling on for a nailbiting 25-19 win in Brisbane on Saturday night.
A loud and proud crowd got their money’s worth at Suncorp Stadium, though were left checking the blood pressure, after watching their side hold out 23 phases at the death near their own line to take victory.
Sound familiar? Try round 12 last year, when the Reds triumphed 25-22 in New Plymouth and held out 28 phases in the final stages, to be the only team to beat the top seeds in the regular season.
In fact, the Reds, who also went on to trouble the Chiefs in the quarterfinals, have won only three of their last 20 games against New Zealand teams, and each of those has come against the Chiefs.
Talk about Kryptonite for Clayton McMillan’s men, who had looked in sensational touch in their thrashing of the Brumbies in the Super Round last weekend.
But the Reds have had their own fine start to the season, a win over the Waratahs followed by a golden-point loss to the Hur
ricanes, and Les Kiss’ side showed a great deal of heart when it mattered most in this one.
With strikepower all over the park, though minus Etene Nanai-Seturo, who was a late precautionary scratching due to injury and who was replaced on the left wing by Liam Coombes-Fabling, the Chiefs could muster only one try in each half.
And, in a game that had a remarkable opening four minutes until the first stoppage, come the final quarter, the humidity and slippery ball became very evident, which was not conducive to playing a bit of catchup footy.
The error toll in the end caught up with the visitors, who had several chances but were guilty of being unable to hold onto the pill, trying to force the pass and press the issue as they hunted a late try.
But it just did not come, with the final act seeing star playmaker Damian McKenzie crunched back by Harry Wilson and Ryan Smith − who notched 21 tackles − and Harry McLaughlin-Phillips coming up with the ruck turnover penalty win, which sent the Reds players into roars of celebration.