Reds harpoon the Sharks

THE revitalised Reds scored two late tries to grab a fighting 28-26 Super Rugby win over the Sharks in Brisbane yesterday.

The Reds trailed 26-18 with 17 minutes left before centre Samu Kerevi and replacement James Tuttle scored tries to clinch victory over the Durban-based Sharks.

Springbok Patrick Lambie, who had not missed a kick in six goal attempts, had the chance to boot the Sharks to victory but missed with a long-range effort four minutes from full-time.

It was a big tonic for the Reds, who won just three games last season but have significantly bolstered their squad with the signings of Wallabies Quade Cooper, Stephen Moore, George Smith and Scott Higginbotham.

The Reds scored four tries to two with powerful Wallaby centre Kerevi nabbing a double and Cooper landing a conversion and two penalties.

Queensland’s win was even more merited with two players, Kane Douglas and Karmichael Hunt, both sinbinned during the second half leaving their team a man down at vital stages of the game.

“We showed a lot of character tonight and that’s what good sides build on, so hopefully that means something,” Reds skipper James Slipper said.

“We had two yellow cards and we defended really well. I’m just glad we got the win and especially back here at Suncorp Stadium.”

For a time it looked as though the Sharks, seeking their fifth victory in Brisbane, would go on and win after leading 16-13 at halftime and with Lambie in exceptional goalkicking touch.

When Lubabalo Mtembu scored off a driving maul the Sharks led 26-18 on the hour before the Reds launched their comeback to claim victory.

“We hung on for a long time. We had a chance to win at the end but we just weren’t good enough to get over the line,” said Lambie.

“Our fitness levels were good but more importantly we didn’t execute well today and we put ourselves under a lot of pressure.

“We had to make more tackles than we would have liked and a few too many penalties, our wasn’t good.”

Playmaker Cooper had a mixed night for the Reds, whose handling mistake led to Jean-Luc du Preez’s opening try in just the second minute and landed just threefrom-six with his goalkicking. The Reds cross the country to play the Western Force in Perth next week, while the Sharks stay in Australia to face the Brumbies in Canberra. — AFP discipline