Queensland’s revival underneath Les Kiss has continued, with the Reds snapping a 12-year drought in Dunedin after surprising the Highlanders 29-23 on Saturday afternoon.
“It’s very particular, we talked about all of it week,” first-time Reds captain Harry Wilson stated.
“It had been since 2013 and we wish to be a facet that may re-write these form of historical past books.
“For us to try this lacking a number of keys gamers, the following boys in our staff stood up and so they had been immense.”
Lachie Anderson celebrates scoring in the course of the Queensland Reds win over the Highlanders at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin, New Zealand. (Photograph by Joe Allison/Getty Photos)
Making the Reds’ win all of the extra particular was that it was achieved with out a number of of the facet’s finest gamers, with Tate McDermott and Ryan Smith rested for the conflict, and Wallabies Fraser McReight, Liam Wright, Matt Faessler, Josh Nasser, Josh Flook and Jock Campbell injured.
Wilson was phenomenal within the win, making 14 tackles, 11 runs for 33 metres and one clear break.
The Reds’ front-row, led by Richie Asiata, had been glorious, whereas the second-row of Josh Canham and Angus Blyth had been bodily.
Kalani Thomas, McDermott’s long-time back-up within the No.9 jersey, additionally confirmed his spark and growing expertise. Certainly, the No.9 opened the scoring by backing up effectively on the within after some high quality from Blyth within the center.
Hunter Paisami and Filipo Daugunu had been bodily and offered an edge within the midfield, whereas Tim Ryan additionally had one among his finest involvements this yr by breaking free to assist swing the momentum within the Reds’ favour within the second half.
The Reds’ character and persistence was firmly on show underneath the roof in New Zealand’s south.
Regardless of working out to a 12-0 lead early, the momentum switched halfway by way of the opening half because the Reds’ fingers, set-piece and self-discipline harm them.
The Highlanders, who’re present process their very own resurgence underneath Jamie Joseph, then went again, bang to hit again and take a 17-12 lead at half-time.
The lead might have been even better, with Reds fullback Heremaia Murray proven a yellow card for a deliberate knockdown within the thirty sixth minute in a play that continued and noticed the Highlanders celebrating what they thought was their third attempt of the half.
However the TMO accurately intervened recognizing an unintentional offside within the lead as much as the runaway second.
Eager to press residence their benefit the Highlanders needed to settle with a five-point lead after 40 minutes.
The lead didn’t construct after the break both with an unsightly 5 minutes denying the Highlanders of the momentum they craved with the numerical benefit.
Whereas the Highlanders ultimately settled for a penalty after 51 minutes, one other twist was across the nook as the house facet’s scrum capitulated.
Even with Ethan de Groot packing down at loose-head prop the Highlanders had been blown off the park on the set-piece and the Reds slowly took full benefit of their dominance.
Reds again Filipo Duagunu, who was as soon as once more excellent at outdoors centre, confirmed some street-smarts by scoring subsequent to the ruck.
Then de Groot was proven a yellow for fingers within the ruck after the Reds’ scrum took the Highlanders to the cleaners.
Reds winger Lachie Anderson then scored to place the guests in entrance, earlier than Daugunu crossed for his second.
Lachie Anderson scores a attempt at Forsyth Barr Stadium on March 22, 2025. (Photograph by Joe Allison/Getty Photos)
A uncommon poor day on the workplace from the kicking tee for Tom Lynagh stored the locals within the contest, however the Reds’ defence held agency.
“We had been fairly disillusioned at half time,” Wilson stated.
“We thought we didn’t play our model of footy, we didn’t step up and weren’t adequate in touch.
“We needed to repair that – and the scrum modified the sport for us. It gained us momentum and that further leg.”
The six-point win throughout the ditch, which occurred a yr after the Reds beat the Crusaders in Christchurch for the primary time in 25 years, continued the facet’s surge up the Tremendous Rugby rankings the place they’re now in second spot on 19 factors – three factors behind the Chiefs, who’ve performed an additional recreation.
