Source: Radio New Zealand
Photosport
The Highlanders have suffered another heartbreaking loss, after the Reds bounced back in style.
The Reds defeated the Highlanders by 17 points at Suncorp Stadium after leading by 12 at the break. It was a statement performance in front of a lively Brisbane crowd, the home side running in five tries to two and playing with far more clarity than they showed in Round 1.
The first half set the tone. Fraser McReight opened the scoring in the 18th minute after a stunning passage that started with Harry Wilson flicking a miracle ball through his legs to ignite the break, before a clever series of kicks ended with the flanker diving over beside the posts. Matt Faessler added another off a well-timed peel from a driving maul, and although the Highlanders hit back through Adam Lennox after spotting space around the ruck, the Reds struck again before the break. Slick hands left put Tim Ryan over in the corner, giving Queensland a deserved lead at half-time. It was high tempo, physical stuff, with the Reds well on top and the visitors guilty of too many costly errors.
The Highlanders showed some fight early in the second half. Lucas Casey powered through three tackles to score under the sticks in the 52nd minute and cut the margin, briefly shifting momentum. But just as quickly, the Reds responded. McReight pilfered possession at the breakdown, territory followed, and Lukhan Salakaia-Loto crashed over from close range to extend the lead. Moments later, a grubber forced panic at the back and Vaiuta Latu was on hand to dive on the loose ball for another Reds five-pointer.
From there, Queensland comfortably controlled the contest. The forwards went at it relentlessly, the backs continued to find space out wide, and the bench added real punch, with Filipo Daugunu especially lively. The Highlanders had patches of pressure but they lacked polish, their attack clunky at times and undermined by unforced errors. Jamie Joseph will be disappointed and know there were plenty of opportunities left out there.
Ryan brought real spark on the edge, Salakaia-Loto laid a strong platform, and McReight was a menace all night at the breakdown. For the Highlanders, Timoci Tavatavanawai impressed with his physicality and TK Howden worked tirelessly, but they lacked support at key moments.
This win lifts the Reds to 1-1 and restores confidence ahead of a trip to Canberra to face the Brumbies, while the Highlanders slip to 1-2 and return home to Dunedin to host the Force in Round 4, searching for a response.
See how the game unfolded in our blog:
Highlanders: 1. Ethan de Groot. 2. Jack Taylor. 3. Rohan Wingham. 4. Will Stodart. 5. Mitch Dunshea. 6. Te Kamaka Howden. 7. Sean Withy (cc) 8. Lucas Casey. 9. Adam Lennox. 10. Cameron Millar. 11. Jona Nareki. 12. Timoci Tavatavanawai (cc) 13. Jonah Lowe. 14. Caleb Tangitau. 15. Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens.
Impact: 16. Soane Vikena. 17. Daniel Lienert-Brown. 18. Sosefo Kautai. 19. Oliver Haig. 20. Veveni Lasaqa. 21. Folau Fakatava. 22. Reesjan Pasitoa. 23. Tanielu Tele’a.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
