'Unbelievable': Reds stun log-leaders Chiefs in New Zealand

SUPER RUGBY WRAP: The Queensland Reds have broken their New Zealand hoodoo and ended the Chiefs’ unbeaten season with a stunning Super Rugby Pacific upset in New Plymouth.

Composure and relentless defence was behind the Reds’ 25-22 win, with Tom Lynagh’s 77th-minute penalty ending a 21-game, 10-year losing streak on New Zealand soil.

The Chiefs had a chance to steal a win, putting together a pulsating 27 phases after the full-time siren and twice holding a penalty advantage.

But Tyrone Thompson was held up over the line by a pack of desperate Reds, the referee’s full-time whistle killing that advantage and sealing a famous first win for Brad Thorn in New Zealand since he took over as Queensland coach in 2018.

It came against the log-leaders no less, who have averaged 37 points per game in 10 straight wins to begin the season.

It was also the Reds’ first win against New Zealand opposition in their last 11 starts and has revived the side’s finals hopes in what will be coach Thorn’s final season.

“Unbelievable,” co-captain Tate McDermott said. “It gives us new life.

“We’ve always just lacked the polish, the discipline’s been an achilles heel and tonight we put it away and defended like a pack of dogs.”

Jock Campbell excelled at fullback with Jordan Petaia (wrist) out, while James O’Connor was influential in the No.12.

Halfback McDermott and flanker Fraser McReight were everywhere in inspiring World Cup auditions.

Hooker Matt Faessler was also a key man, coming on in a full swap of the Reds’ front row with two minutes to play in the first half.

That proved a turning point, the Reds boldly kicking for touch instead of taking three points and scoring through McDermott to go to the sheds 12-12 after dominating the half.

Campbell scored on the restart after more sustained pressure, poor kicking the only downside after the Reds’ corrected their lineout wobbles of the opening period.

The Chiefs pressed for a response but found no way through the Reds’ defence, star No.10 Damian McKenzie eventually kicking out on the full.

A McReight knock-on provided a chance though, Samipeni Finau eventually scoring after countless close-range charges at the line.

That levelled the scores at 22-22 with seven minutes to play, the Reds somehow winning possession when their restart hit the deck.

Lynagh obliged with a penalty to put them ahead and then, after a scrum on halfway when play was paused to treat a Finau injury, Queensland held on for dear life to secure a famous win.

Meanwhile, Western Force are daring to dream of Super Rugby Pacific finals, keeping their hopes alive with a bonus point 34-14 win over Fijian Drua at HBF Park.

The victory maintained the Force’s unbeaten home record of four wins from four, and Friday’s bonus point was crucial as they jumped the Drua and moved into the top eight.

The Force scrum was bolstered by the return from injury of Wallabies Tom Robertson and Folau Fainga’a, with the latter grabbing two tries.

Max Burey, in just his second Super game, straightened the Force attack well and centre Sam Spink was bruising in midfield.

The Force’s carries through the middle were effective and they concentrated most of their wide attack on the left with right winger Zach Kibirige struggling.

Coach Simon Cron went into the game with just two backs on the bench for the first time this season and would have been reluctant to make an early switch.

His problem deepened when he lost left winger Manasa Mataele after 54 minutes with an eye injury.

The Force took an early lead when the ball was moved quickly to Mataele who went over in the corner.

They went further ahead when hooker Fainga’a ran a good line to crash over for his third try of the season, converted by Burey.

After a slow start, the Drua clawed back, piling pressure on the Force defence as Eroni Sau found a hole to stroll through. His try was converted by Frank Lomani.

The momentum swung further in the Drua’s favour and they pummeled the Force line, edging ahead on the half hour with a converted try by Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta.

Burey restored the home side’s lead with a penalty after the siren.

The Drua were pointless after the break as the Force got off to a dream second-half start, second-rower Jeremy Williams driving over from the back of a maul.

Fainga’a added his second from a rolling maul, Burey converted both, and homegrown flanker Carlo Tizzano added the fifth with his first Super try for the Force.

Chiefs 22-25 Reds

The scorers:

For Chiefs:
Tries: Nanai-Seturo 2, Finau
Cons: McKenzie 2
Pen: McKenzie

For Reds:
Tries: Blake, McDermott, Campbell, Nonggorr
Con: Creighton
Pen: Lynagh

Chiefs: 15 Shaun Stevenson, 14 Emoni Narawa, 13 Anton Lienert-Brown, 12 Rameka Poihipi, 11 Etene Nanai-Seturo, 10 Damian McKenzie, 9 Cortez Ratima, 8 Luke Jacobson (captain), 7 Simon Parker, 6 Samipeni Finau, 5 Josh Lord, 4 Tupou Vaa’i, 3 John Ryan, 2 Bradley Slater, 1 Jared Proffit
Replacements: 16 Tyrone Thompson, 17 Ollie Norris, 18 Atu Moli, 19 Manaaki Selby-Rickit, 20 Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 21 Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, 22 Josh Ioane, 23 Alex Nankivell

Reds: 15 Jock Campbell, 14 Suliasi Vunivalu, 13 Filipo Daugunu, 12 James O’Connor, 11 Mac Grealy, 10 Lawson Creighton, 9 Tate McDermott, 8 Seru Uru, 7 Fraser McReight, 6 Liam Wright, 5 Connor Vest, 4 Angus Blyth, 3 Peni Ravai, 2 Richie Asiata, 1 George Blake
Replacements: 16 Matt Faessler, 17 Sef Fa’agase, 18 Zane Nonggorr, 19 Ryan Smith, 20 Harry Wilson, 21 Louis Werchon, 22 Tom Lynagh, 23 Paddy James

Referee: Paul Williams (New Zealand)
Assistant Referees: Dan Waenga (New Zealand), Mike Winter (New Zealand)
TMO: Richard Kelly (New Zealand)

Western Force 34-14 Fijian Drua

Western Force:
Tries: Mataele, Fainga’a 2, Williams, Tizzano
Cons: Burey 3
Pen: Burey

Fijian Drua:
Tries: Sau, Cirikidaveta
Cons: Lomani 2

Western Force: 15 Chase Tiatia, 14 Zach Kibirge, 13 Sam Spink, 12 Hamish Stewart, 11 Manasa Mataele, 10 Max Burey, 9 Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, 8 Rahboni Vosayaco, 7 Carlo Tizzano, 6 Michael Wells (captain), 5 Ryan McCauley, 4 Jeremy Williams, 3 Tom Robertson, 2 Folau Fainga’a, 1 Angus Warner
Replacements: 16 Tom Horton, 17 Marley Pearce, 18 Siosifa Amone, 19 Felix Kalapu, 20 Tim Anstee, 21 Isi Naisarani, 22 Ian Prior, 23 George Poolman

Fijian Drua: 15 Ilaisa Droasese, 14 Eroni Sau, 13 Iosefo Masi, 12 Kalaveti Ravouvou, 11 Taniela Rakuro, 10 Teti Tela, 9 Frank Lomani, 8 Meli Derenalagi, 7 Vilive Miramira, 6 Joseva Tamani, 5 Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, 4 Jone Koroiduadua, 3 Samuela Tawake, 2 Tevita Ikanivere (captain), 1 Haereiti Hetet
Replacements: 16 Zuriel Togiatama, 17 Livai Natave, 18 Jone Tiko, 19 Etonia Waqa, 20 Elia Canakaivata, 21 Peni Matawalu, 22 Caleb Muntz, 23 Tuidraki Samusamuvodre