The Queensland Reds ended a seven-year loss in eleven games against the New South Wales Waratahs with a 32:26 win over their often bitter state rivals in the opening game of Friday’s Super Rugby Australia competition.
“It was a country of origin and very physical,” said Reds skipper Liam Wright.
“I was upset out there. We put a lot of passion into this performance.”
The team’s official report had a cheeky sled for rivals in the south after a wise bang over “medium strength beers” prior to the collision.
Due to corona virus restrictions, the game was played in front of 5,590 fans at Suncorp Stadium with 52,500 seats. It was the first rugby game in Australia since the end of the Super Rugby tournament on March 15th.
The Reds led 19-7 at the start of the first half, but were beaten for 10 minutes without the sinful Angus Bell. The Waratahs accumulated regular points and were six points behind at half time.
New South Wales led by four points eight minutes after the start of the second half when Jack Maddocks took a pass from Lachie Swinton and tried through a gaping hole.
Harry Wilson replied with a try for Queensland and the score was later 26-26 before Queensland Flyhalf kicked James O’Connor two late penalties, the second full time.
O’Connor took the goal for the Reds after Bryce Hegarty missed two penalties, both to the right of the posts.
“It was a great performance by the boys. We dug deep and it was obviously great to win them in the end,” said O’Connor.
“‘But we were pretty scratchy … there is a lot to improve.
“I’ve been working very hard on my kick game since isolation … I’m glad to kick again.”
New South Wales awarded 18 penalties to the nine of the Reds.
“Although we are very disappointed with the loss, I think we are making progress,” said Waratah’s captain Rob Simmons.
“Losing with two penalty goals is a significant improvement. We will take that and go forward.
“I think discipline really let us down, it let us down all season.”
In the other game of the first round, the Melbourne Rebels will play the ACT Brumbies in Canberra on Saturday. The Perth-based Western Force says goodbye in the first round.
The five teams play home and away games for 10 weeks, followed by a two-week playoff series in September.
The tournament offers temporary rules, including dropouts on the goal line to reward attacking kicks, replacement for red card players and extra time in drawn games.
