The Chiefs have made it back-to-back wins on Australian soil as they held on for a tough 27-25 win over the Reds in Brisbane. The Chiefs looked to be headed for a comfortable win before the Reds launched one last raid in the last five minutes but ultimately came up short.
The game wasn’t the greatest spectacle as there 23 penalties and 3 cards issued throughout the game by referee Paul Williams. Harry Wilson and Jock Campbell saw yellow cards while Samipeni Finau saw a red card late in the game.
Reds captain Tate McDermott lamented his sides discipline after the game. The scrum was also an issue for the Reds in an area they normally dominate. That area changed around halftime after Taniel Tupou went off with a calf injury and the scrum wasn’t up to its normal standard.
It was a game that took some time to get going with both sides taking a conservative approach.
A penalty goal to Lawson Creighton opened the scoring after five minutes but that wasn’t where the kicking ended.
With neither side willing to take a chance, the game descended into a game of forcings back.
When they were willing to run the ball, handling errors were halting any chance of a contest developing.
Bryn Gatland had back-to-back penalty goals to edge the Chiefs in front before Creighton’s second penalty levelled the scores after 25 minutes.
The Reds then took the lead after 30-minutes with an unusual try to Harry Wilson. He somehow ended up with the ball in a maul and spun around to ground the ball. The TMO ruled there was no separation and the try stood.
The Reds came under heavy fire before the break and suffered a huge blow as Taniela Tupou left the field with an injured calf. Combined with several penalties and they were really under the pump.
With the Chiefs virtually camped on the try line, the pressure proved too much for the Reds and Cortez Ratima claimed the first Chiefs try well after the siren.
Second half
Despite what looked a stern talking to from Brad Thorn, it was the Chiefs that came out of the blocks fast after the break.
With the Reds on the backfoot in their own 22, the Chiefs rumbled a maul to within metres before Samson Taukei’aho scored under penalty advantage. The penalties were too much for referee Paul Williams and Harry Wilson was sin binned as a result.
But with a man down, the Reds were able to hit back after some brilliant work from Tate McDermott after a fielding a kick. After finding a gap and space, he managed to line up Josh Flook who stepped Chase Tiatia to score and make it 20-18.
With the game in the balance, it was the Chiefs to score next on the back of another yellow card for the Reds. After a break down the left wing involving Tiatia and Quinn Tupaea, Jock Campbell was shown the cheese for a deliberate knock down.
After a strong scrum, the Chiefs forwards kept it tight, and Pita Gus Sowakula scored from close range for some breathing room in the scoreboard at 27-18.
As the game wound down, there was one last twist to the game as the Chiefs fell foul of the high contact law. Replacement Samipeni Finau received a red card as he rushed out of the defensive line but hit Fraser McReight with his head and shoulder.
Knowing time was against them, the Reds went for the try and eventually Hunter Paisami got over the line to give his side a sniff of a comeback win.
They then threw everything at the Chiefs at the end but couldn’t perform the miracle and the Chiefs ran out winners by two points.
Scores
Queensland Reds 25
Tries: Wilson, Flook, Paisami
Conversions: Creighton 2
Penalties: Creighton 2
Chiefs 27
Tries: Ratima, Taukei’aho, Sowakula
Conversions: Gatland 3
Penalties: Gatland 2
Cards
47th minute – Harry Wilson (Reds) – Yellow
62nd minute – Jock Campbell (Reds) – Yellow
76th minute – Samipeni Finau (Chiefs) – Reds
