The Queensland Reds have secured a home Super Rugby AU Final with a 24 -22 win a 5th straight win over the Brumbies at Suncorp Stadium.
Hunter Paisami was a late withdrawal with a calf injury, giving Josh Flook a start. and bringing Lawson Creighton onto the bench. Brumbies were unchanged, welcoming back Allan Alaalatoa and Scott Sio
The Brumbies got their rolling maul rolling early, and Folau Fainga'a crossed after 5 minutes. The try was reviewed for a foot in touch, but the Reds were probably lucky the try stood, otherwise Taniela Tupou could have been in the bin early, for repeated maul infringements.
Tom Banks's intercept came at a critical time, with the Reds looking to get on the scoreboard. Down 12-0 the Reds, eventually looked to James O'Connor's boot to close the gap. With the score at 12-6 the Reds looked like they had a chance to go into the break with a try to take the lead. However, a penalty given up by Taniela Tupou, instead let Nic White increase the lead to 15 - 6 at the break with a long range penalty.
Reds worked their way back into the game in the second half, on the back of their dominant scrum.
Josh Flook scored a nice try slipping out of Andy Muirhead's tackle, after some good work by James O'Connor and Jock Campbell. That closed the gap to 2 points, but the Brumbies hit back immediately with a well worked try to Tom Wright off the back of another maul.
Allan Alaalatoa, back from suspension, breathed a sigh of relief when his high tackle on Richie Asiata was ruled a penalty only. But with the score at 22 - 16 at the 60 minute mark, that was the last of the good news for the Brumbies, not able to score again, despite throwing everything at the Reds in the last quarter.
Jordan Petaia had 2 big impacts to get the Reds within striking distance. First a 50-22 kick to gain the line-out throw, and then getting in behind the Brumbies defence to leap above Tom Banks to score from James O'Connor's kick.
James O'Connor missed the conversion, but kept his cool, to kick two late penalties to get the win for the Reds.
The scene is now set for a a replay at Suncorp Stadium in the Super Rugby final on the 8th May - however the Rebels and Force will have plenty of say in that, particularly with the Force finishing the season with 2 home games. However, whoever finishes 3rd will have to get past the Brumbies at home in the 2 v 3 playoff in Canberra
The Game Changer Could have been Tom Bank's intercept, or Jordan Petaia's leaping try. However, I'll go with Fraser McReight's turnover late in the game, when the Reds were under pressure, and a penalty goal or a try would have sealed it for the Brumbies
The G&GR MOTM Rob Valetini was one of the Brumbies best, same for Cadeyrn Neville & Noah Lolesio. Taniela Tupou was a monster but gave away too many penalties. James O'Connor picks up the GAGR MOTM for his game management at the death.
Wallaby watch Hunter Paisami's calf is a concern. Folau Fainga'a continued his try-scoring form from the back of the Brumbies maul.
The Details
Crowd: 19,185
Score & Scorers
Reds 24 Tries: Flook, Petaia Conversions: O'Connor Penalties: O’Connor 4[/one_half]
Brumbies 22 Tries: Fainga’a, Banks, Wright Conversions: Lolesio 2 Penalties: White
Cards & citings None
Teams
Reds : Feao Fotuaika, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Taniela Tupou, Ryan Smith, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Angus Scott-Young, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson, Tate McDermott, James O'Connor (c), Jock Campbell, Hamish Stewart, Hunter Paisami, Jordan Petaia, Bryce Hegarty
Reserves: Alex Mafi, Richie Asiata, Zane Nonggorr, Seru Uru, Liam Wright, Kalani Thomas, Josh Flook, Filipo Daugunu
Brumbies : James Slipper, Folau Fainga'a, Allan Alaalatoa (c), Darcy Swain, Cadeyrn Neville, Rob Valetini, Tom Cusack, Pete Samu, Nic White, Noah Lolesio, Tom Wright, Irae Simone, Len Ikitau, Andy Muirhead, Tom Banks
Reserves: Lachlan Lonergan, Scott Sio, Sefo Kautai, Nick Frost, James Tucker, Ryan Lonergan, Bayley Kuenzle, Mack Hansen
Gallery
This post first appeared on Green And Gold Rugby