Huge sigh for Thorn as Reds clinch victory
FRIDAY WRAP: The Queensland Reds won for the first time overseas in four years to burst Moana Pasifika’s bubble in Samoa with a comfortable 40-28 victory.
The victory was the Reds’ first abroad since a 2019 win in Durban and ended a three-game Super Rugby Pacific losing streak.
The comfortable win took some pressure off coach Brad Thorn and boosted the Reds’ finals hopes as they improved to a 3-5 record.
But they left a bonus point behind, two late Pasifika tries denying the visitors the extras that could prove crucial in the season wash-up.
Vunivalu’s stocks rose with the winger scoring from an intercept after having a hand in two other first-half tries.
He linked up well with carving halfback Tate McDermott, who, along with Vunivalu, was not included in Eddie Jones’ first Wallabies training camp that will gather next week.
McDermott found gaps in the host’s defence early and it was Vunivalu in support, the winger offloading to Fraser McReight for the first try and then making another break that led to the first of hooker Matt Faessler’s double.
Thorn, off-contract beyond this season, could afford a smile after a win to snap a rough month.
“We needed that,” he said.
“There were some good moments, there were some errors.
“And that (losing the bonus point) was frustrating … with a lot of teams around us (on the ladder), those things add up and are important.”
The home crowd still had plenty to cheer, Miracle Faiilagi scoring twice at the ground just down the road from his childhood village.
His first finished a terrific full-field effort while centre Danny Toala made it 14-14 with his try.
Forward passes robbed the hosts of two more tries, the Reds doing as they pleased either side of those to ensure Moana remained winless this season.
“You can feel the disappointment there,” proud coach Aaron Mauger said.
“We played some outstanding rugby tonight; just those little moments cost us but we’ll keep working hard.”
* The Brumbies have held off the surging Fijian Drua to win 43-28 at GIO Stadium in one of the games of the Super Rugby Pacific season.
The fearless Drua didn’t die wondering and traded haymakers with the competition’s best Australian side, but couldn’t find a go-ahead try in a lengthy late stand on the Brumbies’ line.
After some hairy defensive moments, the Brumbies sealed the deal via some forward pack domination, their trademark rolling maul producing a penalty try seven minutes from time to finally break 10 points clear.
Winger Ben O’Donnell completed a hat-trick of tries in the dying stages to embellish the scoreline, although the 15-point margin perhaps flattered the Brumbies after a thrilling second term.
The Brumbies moved to 7-1 for the season but it was far from their most convincing display, routinely challenged after a strong start with a lack of attacking structure hurting them as the Drua surged.
All Friday’s scores and scorers
Reds 40-28 Pasifika
For the Reds:
Tries: McReight, Faessler 2, Wilson, Vunivalu, Creighton
Cons: Creighton 5
For Moana Pasifika:
Tries: Faiilagi 2, Havili, Tolai
Cons: McClutchie 2, Leuila 2
Pasifika: Ezekiel Lindnemuth, Samiuela Moli, Isi Tu’ungafasi, Michael Curry, Mike McKee, Miracle Faiilagi, Niko Jones, Solomone Funaki (c), Ereatara Enari, Lincoln McClutchie, Neria Fomai, Danny Havili, Levi Aumua, Timoci Tavatavanawai, William Havili
Replacements: Luteru Tolai, Abraham Pole, Suetena Asomua, Potu Leavasa, Sione Tu’ipulotu, Manu Paea, D’Angelo Leuila, Fine Inisi
Reds: Sef Fa’agase, Matt Faessler, Zane Nonggorr, Connor Vest, Ryan Smith, Jake Upfield, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson, Tate McDermott (c), Lawson Creighton, Jordan Petaia, James O’Connor, Josh Flook, Suliasi Vunivalu, Jock Campbell
Replacements: Richie Asiata, Peni Ravai, Phransis Sula-Siaosi, Lopeti Faifua, Connor Anderson, Kalani Thomas, Tom Lynagh, Taj AnnanAssistant Referees: Angus Mabey, Marcus Playle
Referee: Brendon Pickerill
Brumbies 43-28 Fijian Drua
For the Brumbies:
Tries: O’Donnell 3, Samu, Lonergan, Muirhead
Cons: Lolesio 3
For Fijian Drua:
Tries: Matawalu, Tela, Masi, Ravouvou
Cons: Tela 4
Brumbies: 15 Tom Wright, 14 Andy Muirhead, 13 Len Ikitau, 12 Ollie Sapsford, 11 Ben O’Donnell, 10 Noah Lolesio, 9 Ryan Lonergan, 8 Pete Samu, 7 Rory Scott, 6 Rob Valetini, 5 Sam Thomson, 4 Darcy Swain, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 Lachlan Lonergan, 1 James Slipper
Replacements: 16 Billy Pollard, 17 Blake Schoupp, 18 Rhys Van Nek, 19 Nick Frost, 20 Luke Reimer, 21 Nic White, 22 Jack Debreczeni, 23 Declan Meredith
Drua: Livai Natave, Zuriel Togiatama, Samuela Tawake, Isoa Nasilasila, Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, Joseva Tamani, Kitione Salawa, Elia Canakaivata, Peni Matawalu, Teti Tela (c), Tuidraki Samusamuvodre, Kalaveti Ravouvou, Iosefo Masi, Eroni Sau, Kitione Taliga
Replacements: Mesulame Dolokoto, Haereiti Hetet, Jone Koroiduadua, Leone Rotuisolia, Rusiate Nasove, Philip Baselala, Michael Naitokani, Ilaisa Droasese
Assistant Referees: Nic Berry, Rueben Keane
Referee: Damon Murphy
TMO: Brett Cronan
Source: @SuperRugby
