Reds down defending champs
The Reds recorded a 31-20 win over the defending champion Chiefs in a pre-season match in Toowoomba on Saturday.
Former Waratahs and Wallabies winger Lachie Turner got the Reds off to a flying start, crossing for his first five-pointer in Reds colours after just two minutes.
Reds’ fullback Aidan Toua had put Turner into space and further helped his team’s cause just minutes later when he burst through the Chiefs’ defence, kicked ahead and then forced a Chiefs turnover, ultimately leading to a Reds’ penalty.
Cooper guided the penalty goal through the sticks and the Reds led 10-0.
The Chiefs took until the 15th minute to open their account when Ihaia West darted over from a scrum win.
The conversion attempt was missed and the Reds led 10-5.
Centre Mike Harris crossed for the Reds’ second try 20 minutes into the clash.
Prop Ben Daley added a third Reds try 10 minutes later and a sideline conversion by Cooper ensured the Reds stretched their lead to 24-8.
The Chiefs opened the scoring in the second half, with All Blacks forward Sam Cane crossing for the Chiefs’ second try in the 48th minute.
The Reds continued to lead from the front, however, with Chris Feauai-Sautia scoring six minutes later.
Some sustained pressure from the Chiefs led to their third try when successive penalties saw them go over in the 64th minute.
Reds coach Richard Graham said the game had provided a snapshot of how the Reds wanted to play.
“I thought it was a good hit-out for us. I thought we played some really good Rugby in patches,” Graham said.
“We had a strong focus on the way we wanted to go about our business.
“The thing I was most pleased with was probably our discipline in field position.”
Chiefs coach Wayne Smith said: “It was how we expected it to be and we took a while to get going. It was important to give as many of the players a run as possible as it is a long competition so we need to ensure our depth is strong.
“It was also good to test the combinations and we will learn from what we did do well and what we didn’t’ do well.”
On Friday the Chiefs will play the Blues at Rotorua International Stadium at 6pm.
The scorers:
For the Reds:
TBC
For the Chiefs:
Tries: West, Cane, Firth
Con: West
Pen: West
Teams:
Reds: 15 Aidan Toua, 14 Dom Shipperley, 13 Ben Tapuai, 12 Mike Harris, 11 Lachie Turner, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Will Genia, 8 Jake Schatz, 7 Liam Gill, 6 Eddie Quirk, 5 James Horwill (captain), 4 Rob Simmons, 3 James Slipper, 2 Saia Fainga'a, 1 Ben Daley.
Replacements – from: 16 Greg Holmes, 17 Albert Anae, 18 Jono Owen, 19 Ed O'Donoghue, 20 Blake Enever, 21 Dave McDuling, 22 Curtis Browning, 23 Nick Frisby, 24 Chris Kuridrani, 25 Samuela Kerevi, 26 Chris Feauai-Sautia, 27 Rod Davies, 28 Jonah Placid.
Chiefs: TBC
Referee: Steve Walsh (Australia)
Assistant referees: Damien Mitchelmore (Australia), Paul Haydock (Australia)
