Reds move top despite card frenzy
QUEENSLAND Reds surged to the top of the table after ending the Brumbies’ unbeaten record with a 21-7 victory but the game was marred by red and yellow cards.
The card frenzy in the competition continued with an incredible six red cards and four yellow cards over five matches.
Queensland flanker Tuaina Tualima saw red for a clean out to the head on Wallaby prop James Slipper in the first half.
However, it was the yellow card to Rob Valentini that caused the most controversy as the No.8 clipped Tate McDermott on the head, after the diminutive Reds scrum-half ducked into contact before continuing his sniping run.
Fans were fuming and commentators were lost for words after Angus Gardner sent the Wallaby to the sidelines, sparking a debate as to whether Valentini had made genuine contact with McDermott at all.
Minutes after Valetini returned to the field, the Brumbies were again reduced to 14 men when Cam Clark was yellow carded for batting a ball down.
James O’Connor opened the scoring with a penalty before the Brumbies overturned the deficit with a converted try by Ryan Lonergan.
The Reds retook the lead through a second O’Connor penalty and a converted score by Fraser Mcreight.
O’Connor’s third three-pointer and Filipo Daugunu’s try sealed an emphatic win despite the card controversy.
Player of the match McReight said some of the onus is on the players to adjust amid a crackdown on ill-discipline. He said: “There is a crackdown at the moment but as players we probably have to be better, but also we just have to learn to get used to the new rules.
“Moving forward, I’d like to see the game flow a bit more and be a bit more entertaining for the fans. I know if I was a watcher, I’d like to see the game flow a bit more, but as players we can play a big part in improving that.”
Elsewhere, the Blues shrugged off a Caleb Clarke red card as they romped to a seventry 46-16 victory at home to Moana Pasifika, having already beaten the newcomers 32-19 earlier in the week in a rescheduled match.
The pressure continues to mount on Highlanders head coach Tony Brown. They remain winless this season, suffering their sixth straight defeat – this time at the hands of rivals Crusaders who edged a tight game at Orangetheory Stadium.
Despite the loss, Highlanders secured a losing bonus point away to the tournament favourties, thanks to converted tries by Andrew Makalili and Scott Gregrory.
Captain Aaron Smith was pleased with his sides performance and said: “I was really proud of our effort.
“We were able to stay in the game for 80 minutes and put the best team in the competition under a lot of pressure.”
Crusaders remain in third, courtesy of tries from Fletcher Newell and Leicester Faingaanuku, despite Shilo Klein’s straight red card.
Captain Scott Barrett said: “It was a heck of a battle. The conditions forced both teams into playing that pressure game and it was a real see-saw right to the final whistle.”
The Waratahs moved up to fifth as they comfortably saw off Fijian Drua with a 38-14 win, as Australia captain Michael Hooper announced his return with a try, with further scores coming from Dylan Pietsch, Charlie Gamble, David Porecki, Jed Holloway and Mark Nawaqanitawase.
Jason Holland’s Hurricanes host the Chiefs this morning, with the home side hoping to make amends for last week’s defeat to Moana Pasifika.