Reds thump Rebels for second spot
MATCH REPORTS: The Reds have taken a huge step towards the finals with a 19-3 bonus-point win over the Melbourne Rebels on Saturday.
The Reds scored three tries courtesy of Jordan Petaia, Brandon Paenga-Amosa and Hamish Stewart
While their impressive defence held the Rebels to just a successful penalty kick and no tries.
*As if happened: Reds v Rebels
The Queensland Reds literally tackled the Melbourne Rebels’ pants off in a season-restoring win to reclaim the second spot on the Super Rugby AU ladder.
The Rebels peppered the Reds’ line for almost 30 minutes to begin the second half for no reward.
Hulking forward Cabous Eloff was left exposing bright pink underwear to the Suncorp Stadium crowd when his shorts were ripped in another thwarted advance.
The Reds were tackled just four times in that period, losing hooker Brandon Paenga-Amosa for repeated infringements along the way.
But they still managed the first points of the half, Hamish Stewart barging 35 metres in traffic to seal the result with five minutes to play.
The try was just a reward for Stewart’s solid defensive night and earned the Reds a bonus point to jump ahead of the NSW Waratahs with three rounds to play.
The Reds’ stoicism came after leaking six tries last weekend against the Waratahs in a loss that dropped them to fourth and briefly out of the finals picture.
The Rebels could have left Brisbane on Saturday as competition leaders but instead dropped to fourth, two points behind the Reds and one behind NSW.
Reds back-rowers Liam Wright and Fraser McReight repelled the Rebels’ best efforts while plucky halfback Tate McDermott made two try-saving tackles to set the tone.
Jock Campbell was electric at fullback, his probing kick return setting up Paenga-Amosa after winger Jordan Petaia had scored the Reds’ first try.
Petaia was embraced after his dart over the line, the 20-year-old back in the fray after his father’s death last week.
The Reds didn’t exit unscathed though, centre Hunter Paisami left the field in the first half with another knee injury while Rebels playmaker Matt Toomua was replaced early in the second half after a head clash.
The Rebels have a bye next week, while the Reds will play the winless Western Force on the Gold Coast on Friday.
The scorers:
For Reds:
Tries: Petaia, Paenga-Amosa, Stewart
Cons: O’Connor 2
For Melbourne Rebels:
Pen: To’omau
Yellow card: Brandon Paenga-Amosa (Reds, 70 – repeat infringements)
Teams:
Queensland Reds: 15 Jock Campbell, 14 Jordan Petaia, 13 Hunter Paisami, 12 Hamish Stewart, 11 Filipo Dauguna, 10 James O’Connor, 9 Tate McDermott, 8 Harry Wilson, 7 Fraser McReight, 6 Liam Wright, 5 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 4 Angus Blyth, 3 Taniela Tupou, 2 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 1 Jack Straker.
Replacements: 16 Alex Mafi, 17 Jethro Felemi, 18 Zane Nonggorr, 19 Tuaina Taii Tualima, 20 Angus Scott-Young, 21 Scott Malolua, 22 Bryce Hegarty, 23 Josh Flook.
Melbourne Rebels: 15 Reece Hodge, 14 Andrew Kellaway, 13 Campbell Magnay, 12 Matt To’omua (captain), 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Andrew Deegan, 9 Frank Lomani, 8 Isi Naisarani, 7 Brad Wilkin, 6 Josh Kemeny, 5 Trevor Hosea, 4 Matt Philip, 3 Pone Fa’amausili, 2 Jordan Uelese, 1 Cameron Orr.
Replacements: 16 Efitusi Maafu, 17 Cabous Eloff, 18 Charles Abel, 19 Esei Ha’angana, 20 Michael Wells, 21 Richard Hardwick, 22 James Tuttle, 23 Billy Meakes.
Referee: Damon Murphy
Assistant referees: Nic Berry, Jordan Way
TMO: Brett Cronan
